Volunteering

Volunteering at an academic medical center allows you to interact with visitors, patients and staff associated with one of the Southeast's premier health care systems.

Why Volunteer?

Volunteer Services places volunteers throughout many UF Health facilities in the Florida, including UF Health Shands Hospital, UF Health Shands Cancer Hospital, UF Health Shands Medical Plaza & Davis Cancer Pavilion, and many other UF Health departments and practices.

Volunteer Services at UF Health contributes to the support of patient services by providing volunteers who assist patients, visitors and staff within UF Health Shands Hospital and associated facilities through the Volunteers, VolunTEEN, Pet Visitation and UF Health Shands Auxiliary programs. The key emphasis of the volunteer program is to enhance customer service and to be a "helping hand" resource. Volunteers give thousands of hours each year to UF Health to enhance the care of our patients and their families. They provide support throughout the hospital, including staffing the information desk, delivering mail and flowers, operating the gift shop and escorting patients.

Which Volunteer Program Should I Apply For?

UF Health Shands Hospital has five different volunteer programs, each with its own application process. Please click on the links below for more information:

• Degree Seeking Volunteers - For people 18+ years old who are or will be enrolled in college, technical school, or a post-graduate program.
• Non Degree Seeking Volunteers - For people who are finished with their formal education.
• Pet Therapy Volunteers - For people with a registered Pet Therapy Dog.
• Dental Volunteers
• VolunTEEN - For 14-17 year old students.

Applications and Acceptance

We accept applications for most volunteer roles at the beginning of each semester (January, May and August). Volunteers are not accepted for court-ordered or community service hours.

Applications for the following are accepted year-round:

• The Gift Shop
• Alz’s Place
• Meals on Wheels
• The Senior Recreation Center

Volunteer Information

Dress Code

The general volunteer uniform is a UF Health Shands Hospital volunteer shirt, which can be purchased at the hospital gift shop, worn with khaki pants and close-toed shoes. Badges provided by the Volunteer Department complete the uniform.

Commitment

Adult volunteers are asked for a six month commitment for a three hour shift once a week.

College students who volunteer are asked to commit to one full semester for a three hour shift once a week. Student volunteers are allowed two absences during each semester. Those who have more than two absences during a semester must make up any additional absences.