Volunteer

If you enjoy helping others and want to make a difference, Medical Center Volunteers, Inc., proudly serving OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center, has an array of rewarding volunteer opportunities. As a volunteer, you become an ambassador of empathy and compassion while making vital contributions to not only patients and their families, but to the medical center and the greater community.

Committed to Caring

Volunteer opportunities provide direct contact with patients and families—or roles behind the scenes on staff support roles. Whichever you choose, you'll become an ambassador of empathy and compassion while making vital contributions to the well-being of patients, visitors and staff. Opportunities include:

• Pet Therapy Program
• Adult and College Volunteers
• Volunteen Program

​Requirements

Adult volunteers must be at least 18 years old, and you will need to do the following:

• Submit application
• Be available for a virtual or in-person interview
• Attend general volunteer orientation
• Receive initial and annual health evaluations
• Pass a background check and drug screen
• Get annual flu vaccine(Other vaccines may be required)
• Wear the volunteer uniform

Volunteers can serve in a number of capacities, including:

• Coffee Cart volunteers visit waiting areas and patient floors to offer free coffee, hot chocolate and tea.
• Popcorn volunteers pop and sell fresh popcorn in our main concourse. This fundraising activity helps support our programs to benefit patients, families and the community.
• Activity Cart and Book Cart volunteers round on patient rooms providing activities, such as books, crossword puzzles, and adult coloring pages.
• Department Rounding volunteers assist patients and guests in various departments, as well as assisting staff with stocking, and other duties.
• Emergency Department volunteer opportunities to round on patients, stock rooms, and additional tasks as needed by supervisory emergency department staff.
• Other volunteer opportunities are available. During the informational session we will share all the opportunities open to you.

Benefits of Volunteering

Although there are many personal rewards for volunteering at the University of Oklahoma Medical Center, there are also many direct benefits, including:

• Free parking
• Free meals (at work, with a four hour minimum of service)
• Developing new skills
• 25% discount in the hospital gift shop
• Opportunities for social activities and events
• Building a better future for yourself, others and the community

(All benefits are for the individual volunteer and do not apply to family members)

What to Expect

During all sessions, volunteers will be placed in needed volunteer opportunities. We strive to give student applicants learning experiences, but we do not offer shadowing.

We look for extraordinary individuals who consistently go above and beyond to provide attention to the small things and pay close attention to patient experience, offering to talk and spend time with every interaction. Volunteers make the special, thoughtful connections that often ease the stress of being in a hospital for patients. These big-hearted, specially trained volunteers selflessly help families during wait times, navigate the halls of the hospital, and step in wherever needed to support our teams and make patients more comfortable while in our care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you interested in volunteering? Take a moment to ask it if is right for you by considering these questions?

• Am I at least 18 years of age or older and not enrolled in high school?
• Can my schedule prioritize a consistent, weekly shift (3 hours) for a full year?
• Do I have a positive attitude and a sincere interest in the hospital and its mission of helping patients?
• Am I comfortable seeing patients being treated for difficult illnesses or after significant surgeries?
• Will I treat my volunteer responsibilities with the same respect that I do work obligations?
• Do I enjoy working in new situations, taking on different duties, or helping in additional ways based on the needs of the people around me?
• Is it acceptable to take the many steps - application, background check, drug test, health screenings, orientations - required to volunteer (can be 5-7 weeks)
• Do I understand that volunteering will not provide me an opportunity to:
  • Shadow a doctor or hospital clinician for school
  • Work through loss of a loved one, and talk through my loss with families facing similar situations
  • Make my resume look active while I am in between jobs
  • Exchange contact information with patients or families, become friends outside the hospital, and share their stories with my friends
  • Gain hours for my court-ordered community service requirement

If you answered "no" to the questions above, volunteering might not be right for you. Experience shows us that commitment to the needs of others, confidentiality and a consistent presence working with teams at the hospital make for the very best volunteers... and the most meaningful interactions for volunteers.

For those who are unsure about volunteering full time, consider making a donation to support a program that is important to you, arranging an online fundraiser or reviewing our wish list. It takes all of us, in different ways, to help patients and families at University of Oklahoma Medical Center have a positive, friendly, supportive experience.

Your Commitment

Typically, volunteers commit to at least 1 shift (3 hours) per week for 12 months. These shifts are scheduled for placements that happen the same day and time each week, but can potentially be adjusted if your schedule changes. Volunteers must be 18 or older and able to complete requirements of on-boarding (steps typically take 4-6 weeks): Application, Interview, Drug Test, Background Check, TB Screenings, Training Sessions.