Volunteer Areas

Cancer Hospital

• Blood Donation Center: Assist staff to provide comfort and nourishment to donors, as well as miscellaneous clinical duties as needed. Available T-Th 10-5pm, F 9am-2pm.
• Clinics (Adult Infusion, Breast Imaging, Hematology, Radiation Oncology): Provide customer service and comfort to patients during treatment and assist staff as needed. Available M-F, 9am-2pm.
• Nursing Units: Visit with and round on patients in order to enhance their experience and assist staff with clerical/general duties that are pertinent to the specialty of the floor. Available 7 days/week, 9am-8pm.
• Oncology Volunteer Navigator: Collaborate with Cancer Hospital clinic and staff to provide patients and caregivers the education, resources and support needed to help them through their diagnosis and treatment. Spanish-speaking volunteers needed. Opportunity for virtual and in person. 2 year commitment preferable.
• Patient Guide: Greet patients in the Cancer Hospital lobby and assist the staff with checking patients in for appointments, procedures and escorting them to clinics as needed. English and Spanish-speaking volunteers needed. Available M-F, 7am-3pm.

Carolina Conexiones

• Conexiones Bilingual Navigator: Provide support to Spanish-speaking patients and their families in-person and over the phone. Tasks may include appointment reminder calls, registration and check-in support, and general navigation throughout the Medical Center. Service areas include pediatrics. Available M-F, 8am-5pm. Spanish fluency required. Click here to learn more about the Conexiones Program.
• Conexiones Bilingual Patient Rounder: Provide support to, visit with, and round on patients in order to enhance their experience. Serve as a liaison between hospital staff and patients and their families/loved ones. Available daily, 8am-5pm. Spanish fluency and additional fluency assessments are required. Click here to learn more about the Conexiones Program.

Children's Hospital

• Administrative Volunteer (Pediatric Therapies): Assist with resource organization and maintenance, donation retrieval, quality improvement projects, and other administrative tasks and provide assistance to therapists during treatment sessions. Available M-F, 8am-4pm.
• Art Heals:: Provide art supplies, craft kits, and engage in craft activities with patients in their rooms to help occupy them during their hospital stay. This service is offered on pediatric units. Available 7 days/week, 10am-7pm
• Children's Specialty Clinic: Assist staff with clerical/general duties; supervising and interacting with children primarily 0-18 years of age through various games and play activities. Available M-F, 9am-3pm.
• Child Life: Maintain resources in the Child Life room, cleaning and organizing, provide toys/games/crafts to patients, assist Child Life staff with tasks and clerical duties. Available M-F, 10am-5pm.
• Children’s Surgery and Sedation Center: Serve as a liaison between hospital staff and families/friends of patients. Keep families informed about the status of patients. Available M-F, 6am-5pm.
• Cuddle & Play: Cuddle, hold, rock, read to, and/or play with children of all ages. * Must be at least 20 years old and have some prior experience working with infants. Available 7 days/week, 9am-7pm. One year commitment.
• Hospital School Tutor: Assist teachers with instruction and tutoring of students in the UNC Hospitals School, ages preschool - 12th grade. Available M-F 10am-3pm.
• Nursing Units: Visit with and round on patients in order to enhance their experience and assist staff with clerical/general duties that are pertinent to the specialty of the floor. Available 7 days/week, 10am-8pm.
• Pediatric Emergency Department: Perform supplemental services for the staff. Provide comfort and customer service to patients and families. Must be at least a junior or senior in college. Available 7 days/week 1pm-8pm.

• Pediatric Oncology Clinic: Assist in supervising and interacting with children primarily 0-18 years of age through various games and play activities. Available M-F, 9am-3pm.

• Pediatric Playroom: Interact with patients in a group or one-on-one basis; assist staff with the inpatient play facilities. Available weekdays with set hours between 10am and 7pm; weekend set hours between 11am and 5pm.
• Ronald McDonald Family Room/Hospitality Kiosk: Assist families in the RMH room in the Children’s Hospital. The room has a lounge and kitchen area for parents to socialize, grab a snack, or just relax. Volunteers work at the front desk. You must apply with the RMH at amy@rmhctriangle.org before applying as a UNCH volunteer. Available 7 days/week, varying hours based on RMH needs.
• Wonder Connection: Use hands-on science and nature-based activities to bring joy to pediatric patients aged 4-18 years. You must apply to Wonder Connection here before applying as a UNCH volunteer. Available times based on Wonder Connection's needs.

Memorial Hospital

• Central Distribution: Assist with stocking and pulling items that are used throughout the medical center. Also may deliver supplies to needed areas. Available M-F, 9am-4pm
• Clinics: GI Procedures: Provide customer service and comfort to patients before and after procedures. Assist staff with stocking, cleaning, and any other assigned tasks. Most procedures done here colonoscopies, gall stone removal, and GI motility related procedures to name a few.
• Nursing Units (Burn, Cardiology, General Medicine, GI Surgery, Intensive Care, Orthopedics/Trauma, Pulmonary/Respiratory, Transplant, Vascular): Visit with and round on patients in order to enhance their experience and assist staff with clerical/general duties that are pertinent to the specialty of the floor. Please specify if you have an area of interest. Availability varies based on unit but typically 7 days/week, 8am-7pm.
• Nutrition and Food Services:  Assist with ensuring that patients receive the correct food items on trays, possibly round on patients, and conduct patient surveys. Available M-F, 9am-4pm.
• Preop and Postop Care Units: Assist with need of patients before and after surgical procedures and aid staff in completing duties that are pertinent to the specialty of the unit. Available M-F, 9am-5pm.

Neurosciences Hospital

• Behavioral Health Companions: Provide support, recreation, and company to psychiatric patients in the Behavioral Health Emergency Department. Assist staff with unit needs. Available 7 days/week, 9am-8pm
• Emergency Department: Provide support, company, and customer service to adult patients in the General Population Emergency Department. Assist staff with unit needs. Must be at least a junior or senior if in college. Available 7 days/week, 9am-12am.
• Nursing Units (Acute Care, ENT/Neurosurgery, Psychiatry): Visit with and round on patients in order to enhance their experience and assist staff with clerical/general duties that are pertinent to the specialty of the floor. Availability varies based on unit but typically 7 days/week, 9am-7pm.

Women's Hospital

• Doula: Currently not accepting applications. Doulas support the care given by clinical providers and friends and family and provide comfort to women in labor. Volunteers must be accepted into the Birth Partner program before applying to be a UNC volunteer. Email birthpartners@unc.edu to request an application for the Birth Partner program. Applications offered several times a year depending on need.

• Guest Services: Assist with wayfinding and wheelchair retrieval throughout the medical center. Any day, 9 am – 4 pm.

• Nursing Units (Antepartum/L&D, Maternity Center, Women's Specialty): Visit with and round on patients in order to enhance their experience and assist staff with clerical/general duties that are pertinent to the specialty of the floor. Availability varies depending on unit but typically M-F, 9am-7pm
• Women's Health Educator Center: Assist staff in the Women’s Health Education Center. The center includes programs such as Ready, Set, Baby and Labor and Delivery Tours*. 1 year commitment preferable, Spanish-speaking volunteers needed. Available M-F, 9am-5pm.
  • *Labor and Delivery tours is an add-on area. Volunteers take on role in addition to another area.

Throughout Medical Center and UNC Campus

• Administrative Volunteer: (Burn Aftercare, Center for Nursing Excellence, Forensic Nursing, Medicine & Oncology Services, Nurse Staffing Systems, Occupational Health Services, and Urology Clinic): Provide assistance to office staff in the daily operations of the department such as scanning, filing, assembling informational packets, and designing flyers or other materials. Available M-F, 8a - 5p.
• Relaxation Rounds: Provide hot tea and warm lavender-scented towels to patients, caregivers, and staff for relaxation throughout the medical center. A unique way to not only cleanse the hands but experience a moment of tranquility and make someone’s day. Lots of walking involved. Available 7 days/week, 10 am - 8 pm

• Coffee Cart: For Community Volunteers Only: Provide coffee and tea to patients and visitors in lobbies, clinics, waiting rooms. Lots of walking involved. Available 7 days/week, 8am-2pm

• Clinic Aide at the UNC Family Medicine Center at Chapel Hill: Assist patients with check-in, wayfinding and generally feeling welcome in the clinic. Support staff by completing clerical tasks and helping maintain a safe, clean and clutter-free environment. Available M-F, 8am-5pm.

• Compassionate Companions: Volunteers visit & provide companionship to long term patients who don’t have friends or family that can visit them. Must be a people person and a good listener.  Must be 20 years old. 1 year commitment (including summer months). Available 7 days/week, 10am-7pm. 

• Door to Door: Provide entertainment for patients and visitors through DooR to DooR. Please contact David Binanay before applying at doortodoorunc@gmail.com. Available 7 days/week, 9am-8pm.
• Discharged Patient Transportation: Support the Patient Transportation Department by transporting patients being discharged from the hospital. This position allows volunteers to interact directly with patients, familiarize themselves with the Medical Center, and gain confidence while volunteering in a health care setting. Additional onsite training required, must have the ability to push a wheelchair.  Undergrads must commit to volunteering here for 2semesters.  Mon-Sat, 11am - 7pm.
• Patient Deliveries and Activity Cart: Deliver flowers, mail, and food bags to patient rooms. Once deliveries are complete, volunteers will travel throughout the medical center to provide patients, families, and guests with activities such as crossword and Sudoku puzzles, word finds, coloring pages, and books/magazines. Must be a people person and able to walk long distances. Available M-F, 1-5pm.
• Patient Relations: Assist the Patient Relations Department in visiting with hospital inpatients and assist with the execution of notary services. Undergrads must commit to volunteering here for 2 CONSECUTIVE semesters.  Available M-F, 9am– 4pm
• Rehabilitation Therapies - (ACC Clinic, Acute Care, Burn Center, Mental Health, and Peds): Support physical and occupational therapists with tasks such as resource organization and maintenance, admin duties, and ensuring a safe, clean environment. Available M-F, 9a-5p.
• Surgery Wait Room at ACC: Assist patients and families at the surgery desk. Duties include check-in, escorting families to consult rooms, and answering questions. Available M-F, 9am-5pm.
• Waiting Room Rounder: For Community Volunteers Only: Round on various waiting rooms throughout the Medical Center, checking on visitors and patients to see if they need support or assistance. This can be done in pairs. Must be comfortable interacting with lots of people. Available M-F, 9am-5pm.

• Administrative Volunteer (Eastowne Internal Medicine Clinic): Provide assistance to office staff in the daily operations of the department such as scanning, filing, assembling informational packets, clerical errands, and designing flyers or other materials. Available M-F, 8a - 5p.
• Conexiones - Pediatric Bilingual Navigator: Provide support to Spanish-speaking patients and their families at UNC Children's Primary and Specialty Care at Carolina Pointe II. Tasks may include appointment reminder calls, registration and check-in support, and general navigation. Available Mon & Thurs, 8a-7p, Tues, Wed, Fri 8a-5p. Spanish fluency required. Click here to learn more about the Conexiones Program.
• Crafters: Sew sock monkeys, "stuffies", and lap blankets for inpatients undergoing procedures in Chapel Hill. Meet regularly for quality control and to pick-up supplies. Must be a proficient sewer. If interested, please contact volunteer liaison, Ruth Stutts, for more information, ruthstutts125@gmail.com.
• Rehabilitation Therapies - Outpatient (PT/OT): Support physical and occupational therapists with tasks such as resource organization and maintenance, admin duties, and ensuring a safe, clean environment. Available M-F, 9a-5p; limited Sat. availability at the CRC.
  • Areas include: UNC Center for Rehabilitation Care (CRC) on 15/501 (pediatric and adult), UNC Wellness Centers in Chapel Hill and Cary, and University Physical Therapy in Hillsborough.

• Emergency Department at UNC Chatham Hospital: Perform supplemental services for the ED staff. Act as a patient advocate to provide support during their stressful time, provide customer service and comfort, and assist staff as needed. Volunteers may float between the ED and Nursing Units depending on need. Available 7 days week, 9am-9pm.
• Nursing Units at UNC Chatham Hospital: Visit with and round on patients in order to enhance their experience and assist staff with clerical/general duties that are pertinent to the specialty of the floor. Volunteers may float between the ED and Nursing Units depending on need. Available 7 days week, 9am-9pm.

• ArtHeals: Artistic volunteers go room to room and do craft/art projects with inpatients. Must be social and a self-starter. Available 7 days/week, 10am-7pm.
• Compassionate Companions: Volunteers visit, socialize and read with patients. Available 7 days/week, 10am-7pm.
• Emergency Department: Assist the ED staff and act as a patient advocate to provide support during this stressful time for patients and their families and friends. Must be able to provide excellent customer service. Available 7 days/week 9am-11pm.
• Entertainer: Provide musical entertainment for patients and visitors through DooR to DooR. Please contact David Binanay before applying at doortodoorunc@gmail.com. Available 7 days/week 9am-8pm.
• GI Procedures: Help out in procedural unit in Medical Office Building with stocking, assisting patients and family members, and putting together patient packets. Available M-F 8am-3pm.
• Imaging: Support staff in the daily operations of the radiology department. Duties include: stocking rooms; assisting with patients and greeting and escorting patients to the imaging area. Available M-F 8am-4:30pm.
• Information Desks: Help Guest Services support patients and visitors in wayfinding and navigation. Help with registration and escorting patients and visitors to rooms and clinic visits. Must be friendly and sociable. Lots of walking involved. Available M-F 8am-4pm.
• Nursing Units (intensive care, family medicine, geriatric, orthopedic, rehab, surgery): Visit with and round on patients in order to enhance their experience and assist staff with clerical/general duties that are pertinent to the specialty of the floor. Geriatric medicine has new opportunities for patient interaction. Available 7 days/week, 9am-8pm. Please specify if you have an area of interest.
• Oncology Infusion: Greet and assist patients receiving chemotherapy and provide comfort items as requested. Volunteers also support clinic staff with stocking and miscellaneous duties. Available M-F 9am-3pm.
• Oshibori: Go door to door providing a warm lavender-scented towel to patients, staff and caregivers for relaxation. Oshibori is a unique way to not only to cleanse the hands but experience a moment of tranquility. Lots of walking involved. Available 7 days/week 10am-7pm.
• Rehabilitation Therapies (PT/OT): Support professional staff in providing physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) services to designated patients in acute care and in our rehab units. Available M-F 8am-12pm and 1-4:30pm, Sat-Sun 8am-12pm.
• Surgery Waiting Room and PACU: Serve as greeter and liaison between hospital staff and guests. Keep families informed about the status of their loved ones. Must be confident and comfortable around people. Available M-F 8am-6pm.
• Tea Time: Serve tea, coffee, and hot chocolate to patients, guest, and staff. Must be independent, social, and able to walk long distances. This is a great way to make someone's day and have patient contact. Available 7 days/week 10am-4pm.
• Urology Clnic: Serve refreshments and snacks to patients and guests. Provide diversionary activities in this busy clinic. Help staff with clerical duties. Available 7:45am-4pm.

• Conexiones - Pediatric Bilingual Navigator: Support Spanish-speaking patients and their families at UNC Children's Specialty Services. Tasks may include appointment reminder calls, registration and check-in support, and general navigation. Available M-F, 8am-5pm. Spanish fluency required. Click here to learn more about the Conexiones Program.
• UNC Children’s Specialty Services at Raleigh - Clinic: Assist in supervising and interacting with children primarily 0-18 years of age through various games and play activities. Assist clinical staff with clerical duties. Available M-F, 8am-4:30pm.
• UNC REACH Enhanced Primary Care: Support adults living with severe mental illness, substance use concerns, unstable housing, and criminal justice involvement through basic needs and wellness programs hosted at UNC REACH in Raleigh. Programs provide food, clothing, harm reduction supplies, health and wellness education, safe social spaces, and more. Available M-F, 8am-4pm, option for occasional evening volunteers to support after hours dental clinic.