Patient and Family Interaction | UPMC Volunteer Services

Patient and Family Interaction Volunteer Opportunities at UPMC

*Opportunities listed on this page do not reflect positions that are currently open, but positions that may be available to you. If you have questions or want more details about any of our programs, contact UPMC Volunteer Services.

The Cuddler Program volunteers give physical comfort to babies going through drug withdrawal or neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Volunteers hold and rock babies born to mothers who used heroin or other opioids during pregnancy.

Cuddling helps babies feel more relaxed and less irritable. It can also lead to reduced medication and length of hospital stay.

Accepting Cuddler Program volunteers at:

Note: This program is very popular. Please check with the Volunteer Services Office for openings.

The Doo Crew spends time talking with patients and washing their hair.

Accepting Doo Crew volunteers at:

UPMC Shadyside

Help the ED staff at UPMC by:

Comforting patients
Cleaning and sanitizing equipment
Stocking supplies
Other defined tasks

Accepting ED volunteers at:

Volunteers provide emotional and spiritual support to patients through:

Counseling
Companionship
Respite care

We also have programs such as:

Eucharist ministers
Hospice
NODA (No One Dies Alone)

Accepting emotional and spiritual support volunteers at:

UPMC Altoona
UPMC Jameson (see: Hospice)
UPMC Kane
UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital (see: No One Dies Alone)
UPMC Passavant
UPMC Pinnacle (see: Pastoral Care and Spiritual Care)
UPMC Presbyterian/UPMC Montefiore
UPMC Senior Communities
UPMC St. Margaret

HELP is a quality improvement program designed to prevent delirium in hospitalized patients age 70 and older.

HELP volunteers:

Meet and connect with patients.
Offer services to improve the quality of the patient’s stay.
Watch for signs of delirium.

Accepting HELP volunteers at:

UPMC Shadyside

The Magee Hat Makers meet twice a month in the lobby at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital to knit, crochet, and loom hats.

Volunteers make hats for newborns and "chemo caps" for cancer patients going through chemotherapy. They take the hats to patients to pick the one that “speaks” to them.

Accepting hat maker volunteers at:

UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital

Note: This Magee Hat Makers program is very popular. Please check with the Volunteer Services Office at Magee for openings.

Volunteers can play music for patients throughout the hospital or during religious services.

Patients and visitors alike find the music very calming.

Accepting music volunteers at:

Volunteers have the chance to help staff in many ways including:

Restocking medical supplies.
Filling water pitchers.
Emptying linen carts.
Visiting with patients and their loved ones.

Accepting nursing unit volunteers at:

Tasks as a visitor and transport volunteer may include:

Helping patients and their families throughout UPMC hospitals.
Reading to patients.
Playing games with patients.
Sitting with and talking to patients and their loved ones.

Accepting transport volunteers at:

UPMC Altoona
UPMC Bedford
UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh (see: Hospital Volunteer Program)
UPMC East
UPMC Horizon
UPMC Jameson
UPMC Kane
UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital (see: Mammography Volunteer Program (MVPs))
UPMC Pinnacle
UPMC Senior Communities

Trained and certified pet therapy animals and their owners visit patients and staff throughout UPMC.

Our pet therapy dogs always bring a smile to all who see them.

Learn more about the benefits of Pet Therapy from UPMC HealthBeat »

Accepting pet therapy volunteers at:

Volunteers provide patients with a friendly visit and escort them to physical therapy via wheelchair.

Accepting physical therapy volunteers at:

Contact UPMC Volunteer Services

Learn more about our volunteer programs or contact UPMC Volunteer Services for more information.

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