At this time, all volunteers must be 18 years or older.
Guest Ambassador
In this placement volunteers serve as one of the first points of contact with patients and demonstrate VUMC’s commitment to patient and family-center care by providing compassionate and individualized “welcoming” services. Guest Ambassadors Volunteers collaborate with Guest Services Staff to help with a general wayfinding and can provide a calming guide for our visitors as they navigate through detours around campus construction. This placement is ideal for someone who likes to walk around campus and get their steps in!
- Volunteers Needed:
Adult Hospital, 7 days a week, 8am - 9pm
The Vanderbilt Clinics, weekdays, 8am - 4pm
One Hundred Oaks, weekdays, 8am - 4pm - Volunteer Shift: 2 hours
Emergency Department (ED) Guest Ambassador
In this placement, volunteers assist the Emergency Department personnel by communicating general information with patients and families, providing directions to service areas of the hospital, as well as aid patients, families, and staff with non-clinical needs. VUMC is the only Level 1 Trauma Center in the region; therefore, this placement is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and can complete tasks independently after training.
- Volunteers Needed: Daily from noon to midnight
- Volunteer Shift: 2 hours, once per week
Inpatient Visitor
Inpatient Visitor volunteers provide a positive experience to patients and families by partnering with unit staff to identify those who would benefit from a visit. For newly admitted patients, the volunteer educates the patient and family on how to access key hospital information on the interactive TV system, reviews information the Patient Handbook (as needed), and offers other general information and/or activities. Volunteers may also visit long-term patients engaging them in conversation and/or appropriate activities.
- Volunteers Needed: Daily from 8am to 8pm
- Volunteer Shift: 2-4 hours, once per week
Care Crew
In this placement, volunteers assemble small goodie bags for VUH inpatient hospital staff, which are later delivered by the VUMC Chaplains who are visiting the unit. The goodie bags contain various snacks or other helpful items along with a note of encouragement. Care Crew volunteers also assemble Comfort Boxes for patients who are in the limited number of double-occupancy rooms on select units. This placement is ideal for someone seeking a “behind-the-scenes” role and can mostly be done while seated. The Care Crew assembles these items at the Oxford House on the main VUMC campus.
- Volunteers Needed:
Various two-hour shifts, weekdays, 9am - 4pm
Twice monthly on a weekday 5pm - 7pm - Volunteer Shift: 2 hours
Sewing Club
This group currently makes heart pillows and aprons for breast cancer patients to use post-surgery. This group also makes soft knit fabric hats, lap blankets, and walker caddies for patients. We make the process easy by providing kits with all the materials and instructions needed for each project. If you do not sew, but are willing to help cut material, Velcro, ribbon, etc., we will be happy to provide you with those materials. On site and at home opportunities available.
Additional opportunities will be added as they become available. We encourage you to check this page periodically.