Making a Difference
At Saint John's Health Center, volunteers make a real difference because they become an integral part of the Saint John's family through a carefully designed program of service that allows them to perform many hours of assistance in carefully selected areas. We are truly blessed to have an amazing group of volunteers who support our Mission by helping to create an exceptional place for health and healing.
Saint John's Health Center has more than 240 volunteers ranging in age from 16 to 90 years old. New volunteers start every month and others have been with us for many years. One of our volunteers has been with us for over 47 years!
Saint John's volunteers can be seen throughout the Health Center supporting our patients and staff in many ways. Volunteers are assigned to at least 45 different departments where they perform an array of duties. Depending on individual interests, some of our volunteers work directly with patients and others provide invaluable assistance in hospital support areas. We are always looking to add dedicated and compassionate members to our volunteer family.
What Can You Do?
Saint John's offers a variety of different opportunities to its volunteers. Some include:
- Reception Areas ― Greet visitors and patients, give directions and assist with way finding, answer phones, deliver flowers and mail to patients, answer visitors' questions and oversee the Family Waiting Room.
- Transportation Team ― Transport specimens to the lab, pick up and deliver blood, medical records and medical supplies and transport patients at discharge.
- Clerical Assignments ― File, make copies, computer input, answer phones, run errands and open and sort mail.
- Magazine program ― Sort through donated magazines, discard outdated & inappropriate magazines, label magazines with Saint John's sticker and deliver magazines to health center waiting areas.
- Surgery Waiting Room ― Check-in visitors waiting for patients in surgery, notify staff that family members are waiting, ensure room is well maintained and update family members on patient's status as information becomes available.
- Gift Shop and Positive Appearance Center ― Ring up purchases, assist customers, stock shelves and deliver items to patients.
- Nursing Unit ― This assignment combines patient assistance and clerical duties. Greet patients and visitors to the unit, visit with patients and their families, answer patient call lights, transport specimens to the lab, assist patients in completing menus, read to/write letters for patients, provide patients and visitors with magazines, provide health center directions, stock unit kitchen, answer phones, straighten blankets and fluff pillows, assist with the delivery of meals and file/assemble admit packets.
- Nifty Needlers― Knit caps and booties for the newborns born at Saint John's Health Center. Yarn is provided.
Please note that the following volunteer positions have very limited availability.
- Emergency Department ― Greet and provide emotional support to patients and their families throughout their stay in the Emergency Department and assist department staff as needed.
- Research Lab Assistants (John Wayne Cancer Institute) ― For college students interested in science or medicine.
- Child and Family Development Center ― Opportunities include assisting teachers in our Early Childhood Directions Program and Therapeutic Pre-School.
*Please note that Saint John's Health Center does not have a Pediatric Unit. As a result, we do not have any opportunities to volunteer with ailing children.
Minimum Requirements
- Volunteers must be 16 years of age or older
- Commit to at least one 4-hour shift per week
- Commit to a minimum of 100 hours of service to be completed in one calendar year
- Volunteers must be supportive and sensitive to the needs of all patients, families, visitors, physicians and Saint John's personnel.
- Volunteers must adhere to the policies of Saint John's Health Center
- Volunteers must have the desire to serve others in a caring, compassionate manner
Getting Started
If you are interested in volunteering at Saint John's Health Center, the first thing you need to do is attend one of our 1 ½ hour orientations. Dates and times of the orientations can be obtained by calling the Volunteer Services Office at
310-829-8438. Reservations are required.
Following the orientation, you will schedule a one-on-one interview with the Director of Volunteer Services. If it is determined that you are a good match for our program and our program is a good match for you, you will be invited to attend our 4-hour training.
Health Requirement
All volunteers are required to complete a health clearance check before they are able to begin. This involves the following steps:
- Undergo a basic physical examination performed by your own doctor, and have the doctor complete the Saint John's Health Center Volunteer Health Clearance Form. Volunteers receive the Volunteer Health Clearance Form after being accepted into the program.
- Submit proof of Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Chickenpox vaccine, if available. If you do not have these records, a blood test can be ordered to test for immunities.
- Complete a Tuberculin Screening through the Employee Health Office, which consists of 2 PPD skin tests. These tests are offered free of charge. If you have a history of a positive skin test, a chest x-ray will be ordered.
When You Are Needed
Volunteers are needed on weekdays, weekends and evenings.
What To Wear
Saint John's Health Center volunteers (with few exceptions) are required to wear a uniform. Our uniform consists of your own tan/khaki pants, tan or white shirt, and a Saint John's Health Center navy blue jacket. Jackets are sold for $25 each.
How You'll Benefit
People choose to volunteer at Saint John's for a number of reasons. They want to:
- Give back to the community
- Stay active
- Explore the field of medicine
- Make new friends
- Fulfill a Community Service requirement
- Learn new skills
Volunteers report a sense of pride and accomplishment once they see that they really can make a difference!
Other benefits include:
- Free parking during your hours of service
- A free coffee, tea, water or soda during your hours of service
- Discount on purchases in our cafeteria
- Letter of recommendation upon completion of 100 hours of service
- Free annual flu shot
- Invitation to our annual volunteer recognition event
- Awards for hours of service
- 100 hours - Certificate of Appreciation
- 500 hours - Gold medallion or tie tack
- 1000 hours – Diamond
For more information on how to become part of this rewarding experience, please call the Volunteer Center at 310-829-8438.