Volunteer Services
Current Volunteers- Important Information about COVID-19
We received an official response late yesterday afternoon from UNC Health Administration regarding the role of volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic. At this time, we will be pausing most of the volunteer roles effective immediately, March 13, 2020 until further notice. While volunteers are extremely important to the essential business operations of UNC Health hospitals, it is equally important to protect the health of our volunteers and the people with whom they come in contact.
All Hillsborough Hospital volunteers are paused as of today, March 13, 2020.
Below is a list of those areas at UNC Medical Center, Chapel Hill that MAY CONTINUE to volunteer:
- 2nd floor Surgery Wait Room A only
- ACC Surgery Wait Room
- Children’s Surgery & Sedation Center
- Playroom (inpatient)
- Ronald McDonald Family Room
- Doulas- will be on-call only
- Patient Flower & Mail Delivery
- Lay Navigators (Cancer Hospital)
If your volunteer role is being paused and you would like to continue to volunteer in another capacity, please let us know. We are compiling a list of volunteers who may be asked to help with special needs during this time.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THOSE VOLUNTEERING DURING THIS TIME:
We are asking volunteers coming to the hospital to follow the same requirements as UNC Health employees. You are discouraged from volunteering if:
You are age 65+, under the age of 18, or have underlying health conditions
You have traveled internationally to any country that has a CDC Level 2 or 3, an international destination with >1000 cases or a cruise ship with any cases
You attended a conference or gathering where one or more COVID-19 cases were confirmed
You had close contact with a person with confirmed COVID-19
As always, thank you for everything you do to help our patients, families, and staff, especially during this time of stress and anxiety. Should you have any questions, please reach out to your volunteer coordinator within Volunteer Services or call the main Volunteer Services number at 984-974-4793.
New Volunteers
Due to COVID-19, volunteering has been paused for now and we are currently not onboarding any new volunteers. However, please feel free to complete an application and test modules if you’d like to begin the process. Once we receive clearance to begin onboarding new volunteers, we will reach out to you about orientation. Thank you for your patience!
Stay safe and healthy!
If you desire to make a difference, touch a life, learn while helping others, or just to have fun, UNC Medical Center is the perfect place to volunteer your time and talents. The Medical Center includes UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill, the Hillsborough Campus, and surrounding clinics. Our mission is to assist the hospital in its goals to provide comprehensive health care to the communities we serve and give a meaningful outlet for the human need to be of service to others.
Making a Difference
UNC Medical Center volunteers play an integral role in delivering first-class health care to the entire state of North Carolina. It is the everlasting dedication from our volunteers that allows us to provide great health care making an invaluable difference to our patients, families and staff.
Our program is organized into four distinct groups: Medical Center- Chapel Hill Adult Volunteers, Medical Center- Chapel Hill Undergraduate Volunteers, Hillsborough Hospital Volunteers and High School Student volunteers. To best fit your interests, we offer a variety of volunteer opportunities.
Volunteer Opportunities
See full list of Volunteer Opportunities. This list includes all of our Triangle volunteer positions. Please remember not all opportunities listed may be available at this time. As part of the volunteer onboarding process you will talk with a volunteer coordinator about what placements may be a good fit for you.
Shadowing
Volunteer Services does not arrange any shadowing. Interested parties must contact hospital departments individually to set up shadow experiences. Once a department agrees to work with a shadow visitor, the visitor must fill out a confidentiality form and read the guidelines for shadowing.
Tar Heal Paws
Tar Heal Paws is an animal assisted activities and therapy program that delivers support and companionship for patients and visitors at UNC Hospitals and outlying areas. The purpose of this program is to provide patients, family members and staff the opportunity to interact with animals, and reduce stress associated with hospitalization. Become a part of the Tar Heal Paws.
Group Volunteer Program
We welcome groups to volunteer their time by assisting our patients and staff in our Pediatric Play Atrium. Group leaders are encouraged to apply. Please be sure your group is able to comply with all requirements prior to completing our application.
Other Volunteer Opportunities
UNC Hospice volunteers come from various backgrounds and life experiences. Their reasons for joining our team are as varied as their lives, but they all share a strong send of compassion and desire to lesson the burden of others. The many skills they have to offer are matched to important work within our hospice program.
For more information, call UNC Hospice Volunteer Services at 984-215-2665 or email Marketta Williams.
Community Volunteer Organizations
If you are unable to volunteer with our program at this time, we highly encourage you to explore other volunteer opportunities affiliated with the UNC Health Care system including:
UNC Chapel Hill Clubs affiliated with the Hospitals:
In case you forget to log in your hours at the Volunteer Services kiosk or if you volunteer off-site, you may submit your hours online.
