How to Volunteer at a Hospital as a UF Student

Why Volunteer in a Hospital?

Whether you’re on a pre-med track, majoring in biomedical engineering, or simply need to fulfill some volunteer hour requirements for your degree, volunteering in a hospital can provide invaluable clinical experience. Beyond that, it can prepare you for a career in any facet of healthcare, and equip you with a strong grasp of the healthcare jargon you’ll hear in and out of healthcare settings.

That said, you can see why getting a volunteer position in a hospital can be pretty competitive- especially at UF. The University has one of the highest rates of undergraduate students pursuing pre-medical tracks among colleges in Florida. Conveniently located next to Shands Hospital, UF has become a hot spot for students everywhere on the path to becoming healthcare workers.

Is Volunteering in a Hospital Right for You?

First of all, it’s important to figure out the type of clinical volunteering you’d like to do. If you’re a pre-dental student, or a psychology major pursuing graduate school, scrubbing bedpans in Shands may not be exactly what you’re looking for.

If the hospital’s not your thing

There’s plenty of opportunities for students who aren’t on the path to working in hospitals. For example, Gainesville has a variety of mental health clinics and opportunities for students in mental health care. Check out this page of Mental Health Volunteering Opportunities in Gainesville.

For pre-dental students seeking volunteer positions, check out this resource from UF Health.

Some students may also prefer to get in their clinical hours outside of large hospitals. Luckily for Gainesville residents, there are tons of clinics for students to serve in the area. Check out this link for some opportunities!

Another popular volunteer spot for UF students is the network of Equal Access Clinics, which provide free medical care to the community of Gainesville, especially in underserved areas. Likewise, the Helping Hands Clinic of Gainesville provides free medical care to individuals experiencing homelessness and/or living in poverty. If community service is central to your passion for healthcare, this can be a great way to incorporate community into your volunteer service.

Picking a Hospital

If you are a student who dreams of working in a hospital one day (or simply need some clinical experience with patients for your future career), volunteering at a local hospital might be a perfect fit. Many students who are pursuing careers as physicians, nurses, physician assistants, and physical/occupational therapists are encouraged to seek volunteer positions in hospitals or other healthcare clinics.

If you’re interested in becoming a hospital volunteer, you may already have your heart set on Shands. After all, it’s kind of a hot-shot as hospitals go, ranking #2 in the state of Florida and #1 for its children’s hospital.

You should know, however, that there are other hospitals near Gainesville. Many students find volunteering at the North Florida Regional Medical Center, the Ocala Regional Medical Center, or Advent Health Ocala. These hospitals may be a great option if you can’t obtain a volunteer position at Shands on your first try (and you don’t mind a short commute).

Getting Started

In order to volunteer with UF Health, make sure you’re staying aware of each semester’s or season’s application cycle. The upcoming application cycle for the Spring opens at 9:00 am on December 6th and closes at 4:00 pm on December 27th. You should plan to get your volunteer application turned in as soon as possible in order to maximize your chances of obtaining a position; remember, these spots are highly coveted.

Once you’ve submitted an application, you should immediately sign up for an Information Session through the Volunteer Information Center (VIC). Use the same email address and password you used to complete your application. These sessions fill up fast, and it’s instrumental to sign up as soon as possible.

Moving Forward

Following the Information Session, you should review the Volunteer Requirements, and sign up for a placement appointment. These requirements are pretty extensive in terms of paperwork you’ll need to obtain. Also, keep an eye on your email for updates about your paperwork. Now is a great time for you to exercise attention to detail. It would be beyond tragic to go through the entire process, only to be turned away because your HIPAA training is one month out of date.

Hospital shifts are typically three hours long, so you should be aware of your availability before attending your placement appointment. Feel free to bring a printed schedule or a list of potential dates/times you could volunteer. You should also have a ranked list of hospital units you’d like to volunteer in, with plenty of backups lined up. Because of the high volume of new volunteers coming in each season, certain units (especially popular ones) fill up fast. Be prepared to settle with an area that may not be your first (or second, or even third) choice.

Volunteer Through an Organization

While becoming a general Shands volunteer can certainly be rewarding, many students find that they don’t always end up in the positions they would ideally like to be in. After all, it’s impossible to guarantee a position in any specific role as an individual volunteer. And, as I said, certain positions are incredibly sought-after. It’s much more difficult to end up volunteering as a baby-cuddler in the NICU than a volunteer in the Urology Department.

That’s where volunteering organizations come in. If you want a guaranteed spot in a certain role, there might be an organization that specifically serves within that unit or position.

List of UF Volunteer Organizations

• UF Dream Team: “Dream Team is a student run, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is dedicated to brightening the lives of the children in the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital”
• Shands Arts in Medicine (AIM): “Each academic semester, Arts in Medicine registers approximately 50 student and community volunteers who have a background in a variety of disciplines including visual arts, music, dance, creative writing, contemplative arts and more! Arts in Medicine volunteers experience a mix of direct and indirect contact with pediatric and adult patients during their volunteer shift”
• Child Life Program: “The Child Life Program was established to help children and families cope with the stress and anxiety of hospitalization. Child Life Specialists at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital are certified professionals who work in partnership with families, doctors, nurses, and other caregivers to meet the unique emotional and developmental needs of children and families.
• UF Footprints: “The Footprints: Buddy & Support Program is a student-run, 501(c) nonprofit volunteering and community service organization benefiting UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital and the local Gainesville community. We have members volunteering everyday of the week from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. in the Pediatric Immunocompromised inpatient and Infusion outpatient units!”
• UF Streetlight: “Streetlight supports adolescents and young adults, ages 13-30 here at UF Health. Our patients live with a variety of chronic illnesses, including cancer, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell, autoimmune illnesses, organ transplantation, gastrointestinal illnesses, and other chronic and life-limiting illnesses.”

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