Every effort is made to place each volunteer in the area of his or her choice, though this is not always possible. Please make your desire known so that when an opening occurs in the area you desire, you may be reassigned.
These are just a few examples of volunteer opportunities at Mayo Clinic's campus in Jacksonville, Florida.
Caring Canines
Flexible one-hour shifts available.
Caring Canines is an animal-assisted activities program at Mayo Clinic. Registered dogs and their owners make “meet and greet” visits in clinic waiting areas. Dogs are tested and registered by Pet Partners and Alliance for Therapy Dogs.
For more information, contact Volunteer Services.
GI recovery
Shifts available: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 2-6 p.m.
A willingness to assist the staff in stripping, disinfecting and dressing stretchers for gastrointestinal patients is necessary. Bending, stretching, standing and walking are required for the entire shift. Volunteers help staff keep an eye on patients awakening from anesthesia.
Gift shop
Shifts available: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-noon and noon-4 p.m.
The Mayo Clinic Gift Shop is mainly operated by volunteers, and all proceeds benefit patients. Working in the Mayo Clinic Gift Shop offers opportunities to interact with patients, families and visitors.
Volunteers are expected to assist customers, keep the shop tidy, assist with displays and learn cashier duties, including payroll deductions and Visa and MasterCard transactions.
Humanities in Medicine
Flexible one-hour shifts available.
Volunteers provide service to both hospitalized patients and outpatients by playing the piano, providing art at the bedside, or escorting a musician at the bedside or in waiting areas. Volunteers also assist at various Humanities in Medicine events.
Information desks
Shifts available: Monday-Friday; 8 a.m.-noon and noon-4 p.m.
First impressions set the tone for the entire visit. Meeting the public in a warm and professional manner is essential. Volunteers greet patients and visitors and provide accurate directions and information. Volunteers must be pleasant and sensitive.
Basic computer skills and good customer service skills are necessary. Patient escorts also transport patients via wheelchair to their clinic appointments as needed.
Nursing units
Various shifts available.
Volunteers improve the patient experience by offering them comfort items and performing non-clinical tasks in the hospital. Volunteers may also stock supplies on the units and assist with other duties as needed. Must be physically able to stand/walk for long periods of time.
Oncology
Shifts available: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-noon and noon-4 p.m.
Volunteers assist cancer patients and oncology department staff by offering nutrition or a warm blanket. Compassion, warmth and understanding are especially important in this service.
The ability to stand for long periods is necessary, as is the ability to handle distressing situations.
Patient rooming
Shifts Available: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-noon and noon-4 p.m.
Volunteers assist with greeting patients and escorting them to an exam room for their appointment. Volunteers have direct contact with patients and staff in several departments including dermatology, oncology, orthopedics and radiology.
Surgery services
Shifts available: Monday-Friday, 5 a.m.-noon and 2-6 p.m.
Surgery holding and recovery are the areas where patients are cared for before and after surgery. Volunteers serve as coordinators, answering telephones, receiving and relaying messages between departments, and helping the nursing staff with routine clerical duties.
Volunteers also assist with patient care, stocking supplies and discharging patients via wheelchair. Good organizational skills are essential. This position requires volunteers who are self-starters and able to stand and walk for long periods of time.
Surgery waiting and liaison
Shifts available: Monday-Friday; 8 a.m.-noon, noon-4 p.m., 4-8 p.m., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and 2-6 p.m.
Volunteers provide family and friends with information about loved ones in surgery holding, the operating room or recovery. It is important that the volunteer be alert, sympathetic, discreet and sensitive to the needs of waiting families.
Excellent telephone and interpersonal communications are required. A considerable amount of walking may be required.
Transport services
Shifts available: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-noon, noon-4 p.m. and 4 p.m.-8 p.m.
Transport service volunteers move hospital patients who have been discharged via wheelchair to their car, as well as assist with transporting outpatients to and from their appointments. Other transporting duties may include delivering lab specimens, medical charts, magazines, personal belongings or flowers, as well as stocking hand hygiene kiosks.
You must be able to safely assist patients in and out of a wheelchair. Considerable walking and pushing is required.
