As volunteers at UPMC Shadyside, you become part of the UPMC team to support our mission of offering:
Quality patient care.
Outstanding education of our future doctors, surgeons, and health care staff.
Cutting-edge treatments through our biomedical research.
Perks of Volunteering
Free parking
Free meal voucher up to $6 on volunteer days
Other benefits include:
Helping others
Gaining worthwhile career experience
Making lasting friendships
Volunteers can attend Grand Rounds
Volunteers can get CPR certified by attending one of the monthly CPR classes
UPMC Shadyside Auxiliary offers a educations grant. Students must apply and the Auxiliary choses who will receive the grant based on service, an essay on your volunteer experience and grades
Volunteer Requirements at UPMC Shadyside
Must be 18 years of age or older.
Attend orientation where a volunteer coordinator will match your interests and schedule with the hospital's needs.
Submit required paperwork provided by Volunteer Coordinator.
Have a valid Social Security Number.
Minimum volunteer commitment of 3 months.
We Accept Donated Items
For our patients and their families to use while in the hospital, we always accept new or gently used:
Magazines
Puzzle books
Adult coloring books and colored pencils
Playing cards
Word searches
And more!
Volunteer Opportunities at UPMC Shadyside
See below for some of the ways you can volunteer to help patients, families, and UPMC staff.
Hands Down We Nailed It - Provide hand massage and fingernail polishing for patients.
Not all opportunities listed are available at all times. Opportunities will be discussed in further detail during the interview process.
Clerical volunteers will be responsible for filing, organizing, and working on various projects throughout the hospital. There are various departments throughout the hospital that always need clerical help.
Volunteers wash patients' hair.
Assist the staff by providing comfort for patients. Responsibilities may also include cleaning and sanitizing equipment, stocking supplies, and other various tasks.
Volunteers round on cancer floors to inform patients about our "Healing Wall" project. Volunteers ask patients if they would like to paint a tile for the wall and if so, give patient a Healing Wall packet and explain the process.
The HELP Program itself is an academically oriented program intended for undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in pursuing a career in healthcare. It is designed to prevent delirium in hospitalized patients age 70 and older.
Volunteers can becoming a part of our Healing Notes program where they can play music for patients, families, and staff throughout our facilities.
Volunteers visit patients and offer diversional activities.
Volunteers round on patient to assure patients are pleased with their surroundings, volunteers notify staff of any issues.
If you want to combine exercise with community service, become a physical therapy volunteer. Escorts take patients to therapy via wheelchair. These volunteers are able to provide a friendly visit with patients on the way to therapy.
"My position allowed me to get to know the patients beyond a simple 'Hi, how are you doing?' On most days, I kept company with patients who might not have received many visitors. I listened to them share stories of how they met their spouses, their favorite aspect of their jobs, their hobbies and future dreams, and importantly, their worries about their diagnoses. It felt great being able to bring smiles to their faces in the midst of a stressful hospital stay."
Heba Mahjoub
Patient Care Volunteer on Surgical Oncology Unit (4 Main)
"I always start with a simple question or comment... "So, are you from Pittsburgh?" And then, I let the patients guide the conversation. Sometimes, patients don't want to talk and the conversation ends there, allowing them to relax as they get their hair washed. But once in a while, patients open up and talk about their families, their life story, or their hopes and dreams. It is really powerful to have someone confide in you that way and many people just want someone to listen to them, to care."
