The care and dedication of our more than 500 volunteers has a great impact on our diverse group of patients, families and staff. As a volunteer, you are a valued member of our team. As a volunteer at Harborview you will:
- Gain experience in a hospital setting, working side by side with leading health-care professionals
- Observe patient care in a high-volume medical center
- Gain satisfaction from helping others
- Build meaningful relationships
- Give back to the community
As an academic medical center, Harborview promotes a culture of education. If you are considering a career in health care, volunteering at Harborview is one of the best experiences you can have.
Volunteers are important participants in UW Medicine’s patient- and family-centered care initiative. You will have the opportunity to help patients and families feel supported through their stay or visit through opportunities in
clinical areas and in
guest relations. As contributor to the patient- and family-centered care environment, you will:
- Help patients and visitors access information through the Patient and Family Resource Center
- Connect patients and visitors with staff, such as their nurse or social worker, when they have questions or concerns
- Guide patients and visitors to locations throughout the hospital
- Hold a hand and listen
- Follow our Service Excellence Standards
Volunteer duties could include:
- Providing support to patients, families and visitors
- Restocking supplies in inpatient units
- Providing nonmedical comfort to patients
- Preparing rooms for new patients
- Providing administrative support in a medical office
- Running errands for an inpatient unit
- Reading to children and assisting them with crafts
- Assisting customers in the gift shop
- Changing bed linens
- Answering patient calls
- Socializing with patients
- Facilitating family and visitor contact with staff, such as spiritual care providers, social workers, physicians, specific nurses, etc.
- Escorting non-critical patients to appointments
- Directing patients' families and friends to hospital units, clinics or other destinations
- Distributing books, magazines and activities to patient rooms and waiting areas
Volunteers also assist behind the scenes and in the Harborview gift shop. Proceeds from the gift shop fund some nonmedical needs of patients and their families.
Sign-up to Volunteer
Learn more about becoming a volunteer. To apply for a volunteer position, please download and complete the [[short-term volunteer form]] and fax to volunteer services at 206.744.2989. For more information, call 206.744.3547 or e-mail
hmcvol@u.washington.edu.