Volunteer Opportunities

Location: Main Campus
Hours: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Monday – Friday

Trained by Cleveland Clinic curators, Art Ambassadors give guided tours to further the public's understanding of an artwork and Cleveland Clinic's collection as a whole.

By directly experiencing visual art and talking about it, audiences can not only gain a deeper appreciation of contemporary art but they can find comfort – elevating the spirit and affirming life and hope. Art Ambassadors promote the core values of the institution: collaboration, quality, integrity, compassion and commitment by discussing highlights integral to Cleveland Clinic's dynamic environment.

More Information

For more information on volunteering as an Art Ambassador, contact Katherine Koran in the Art Department at 216.448.0012.

Location: Main Campus Taussig Cancer Center
Hours: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Monday – Friday

Our cancer patient assistants:

• Provide patients with conversation during treatment
• Offer nourishment, reading materials and videos
• Tidy patient rooms

The 4th Angel Mentoring Program provides peer counseling by matching cancer patients with cancer survivors of the same diagnoses for one-on-one interaction. This free service for cancer patients is also an opportunity for cancer survivors to share their experience and help others through survivor-to-patient outreach and support.

• Learn more about the 4th Angel Mentoring Program

Location: Main Campus
Hours: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Monday – Friday

Location: Family Health Centers at Beachwood, Chagrin, Independence, Solon, Strongsville, Twinsburg and Willoughby Hills
Hours: 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.; 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Monday – Friday

Cleveland Clinic's Canine Greeters are dog/handler teams that greet patients and other visitors at the main lobby entrances and in busy waiting areas. They also offer to escort patients to their appointments and other destinations.

Greeter Dog program benefits include:

• Warm welcome to a busy facility
• Personal escort if needed
• Empathy
• Stress relief
• Socialization
• Diversion
• Entertainment

Requirements for Volunteer Dog Handlers:

• Schedule appointment for an interview with a Volunteer Services Coordinator and a basic behavioral test for your pet
• Complete Cleveland Clinic Volunteer Department's screening and orientation process
• Pass Cleveland Clinic site-specific testing of handler/dog team
• Conduct greeting on a regular schedule - one two-hour shift per week for at least six months

Annually:

• Renew TB test (handler)
• Update pet's current immunization and physical examination documents
• Attend Quarterly Meetings and other in-service training programs

Location: Main Campus
Hours: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Sunday – Saturday

Cleveland Clinic's Caring Canine teams are certified therapy dogs and volunteer handlers who provide emotional support, increase smiles and laughter and generally reduce anxiety for patients and their families. Dog handlers and their pets deliver world-class service by visiting children in Cleveland Clinic Children's and patients and visitors on the nursing units, in the Taussig Cancer Institute and in the Surgical Family Lounge.

Patient benefits resulting from pet visitation include:

• Empathy
• Stress Relief
• Nurturing
• Acceptance
• Mental Stimulation
• Socialization
• Diversion
• Entertainment

Therapy dogs do the following:

• Provide compassion and support
• Make a difference
• Increase patient self-esteem
• Nurture human-animal interactions
• Boost morale

Requirements for Volunteer Dog Handlers

Getting started:

• Obtain certification for your pet from Therapy Dogs International or Pet Partners*
• Complete Cleveland Clinic's Volunteer Orientation process
• Successfully participate in Cleveland Clinic site-specific testing of handler/dog team
• Conduct pet visitations on a regularly scheduled basis – one two-hour shift a week for at least six months

Annually:

• Renew TB test (handler)
• Update pet's current immunization and physical examination documents
• Provide certification renewal information
• Attend Quarterly Meetings and other in-service training programs

• * Please refer to TDI or Pet Partners for more information on obtaining certification.

Location: Main Campus Cleveland Clinic Children's
Hours: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. | Monday – Friday

Cleveland Clinic Children’s is the
highest-ranked Children’s Hospital in Northeast Ohio
(U.S.News & World Report, 2012)

Join a group of dedicated volunteers and provide service to our pediatric patients in Cleveland Clinic Children's. Volunteers hold and rock hospitalized infants; read stories to children during story hour (both in and out patient); lead daily crafts and activities with hospitalized children and their siblings; play board games; and provide parents with information about locations of amenities upon their child's admittance.

Volunteers are required to complete the following prior to their start date: Volunteer Orientation; Fingerprint Background Check; TB test; Cleveland Clinic Children's Volunteer Orientation; and shadowing a veteran volunteer.

More Information

To learn more about volunteering at the Ronald McDonald Family, a partner with Cleveland Clinic, please visit http://www.rmhcleveland.org.

Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Monday – Friday

Clerical Assistant Volunteers:

• Answer telephones
• Sort mail
• Provide Visit preparation
• Assist patients with electronic questionnaires
• Assist with mail preparation
• File, copy, provide data entry, assemble binders/packets
• Make appointment reminder phone calls
• Run errands
• Retrieve and deliver charts

The Cleveland Clinic Concert Band is a group made up entirely of Cleveland Clinic volunteers, or “Ambassadors.” It is a classical wind ensemble, in the tradition of John Philip Sousa and former Clevelander Frederick Fennell, as well as of the concert bands residing where just about all of us went to high school and college.

The Cleveland Clinic Concert Band is the latest in a distinguished series of musical organizations spawned by Cleveland Clinic at various times in its history, beginning with the “Cleveland Clinic Women’s Orchestra” of the 1930s, to the “Arrhythmias” of the 1960s, and the “DNR” and “Skin and Bones” of more recent vintage. The newly formed Arts and Medicine Institute confers further legitimacy on these efforts.

Current Conductor: Roy J. Hawthorne

The current music director and conductor of The Cleveland Clinic Concert Band is Roy J. Hawthorne, a distinguished music educator, composer and conductor of wind ensembles in the Cleveland area. Mr. Hawthorne is a low brass player of distinction.

He has written many acclaimed compositions which have been widely played. He has been with the band since September 2008 and is serving the band well through his musical knowledge, experience and engaging manner.

History of the Band

The idea of forming a concert band at Cleveland Clinic was originally suggested in 2000 by Caryl Richards, and in 2001, the band was formed following an invitation that was extended to everyone at Cleveland Clinic. The band held its first rehearsal on April 18, 2001, under the direction of Dr. Louis Alan Zagar of the Cleveland Musical School Settlement.

The Cleveland Clinic Concert Band debuted at Landerhaven for the Ambassadors Tenth Anniversary Dinner on May 24, 2001. On that occasion the band played the world premiere performance of “The Ambassadors March,” written especially for the occasion in honor of Bernadine Healy, MD, Alexandra Razavi, and Carolyn Fazio, founders of the Ambassadors. The band’s members are all Ambassadors. Their practice time and performances all occur on a volunteer basis.

Dr. Zagar was succeeded as conductor and music director by Dan Rager in 2004. Under his direction, the band gave many distinguished performances, including concerts at Severance Hall and Blossom Music Center, as well as many other local venues. Mr. Rager left the band in 2008 to join the music program at the University of Wisconsin.

More Information

Visit the Cleveland Clinic Concert Band website to learn more about the history of the band as well as the current performance and rehearsal schedules.

Location: Main Campus
Hours: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. | Sunday – Saturday

Emergency Department Volunteers:

• Transport patients and escort visitors within the ED
• Provide comfort measures to patients and visitors
• Round in the lobby
• Provide updates to patients and visitors
• Visit with patients and visitors

Locations:

Hours: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Monday – Friday

Volunteer Assignments at the Family Health Centers focus on enhancing the patient and visitor experience. Assignments include greeting, providing directional assistance, escorting, offering wheelchair transport and helping those with assistive devices in both main entrances and in the primary care and specialty areas.

The ability to stand or walk for the majority of a four hour shift is an essential qualification to those considering service as one of the Family Health Centers.

Location: Main Campus
Hours: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Monday – Friday

Volunteers for the Healing Services team have many options. As the team is interdisciplinary and provides holistic care experiences for patients, family members and our staff Caregivers, volunteers can experiences varied environments and events.

The primary role is to provide touch therapy, such as Reiki, Healing Touch and massage, among others, to visitors and employees in one of our Relaxation suites, lounges or waiting rooms. There are also opportunities to participate in Holistic Rapid Response events to support staff during a highly emotional event. Our volunteer team is an integrated part of our day-to-day activities and embraced as part of our team.

Depending on the training and licensing of the volunteer, there are many options to support holistic caregiving even if touch therapy is not your focus. We have projects, educational courses and events which our volunteers support making Healing Services a diverse and ever evolving area to keep your interest high.

More Information

Applicants who wish to volunteer with the Healing Services Department must be interviewed by a member of the Healing Services staff. If you would like to volunteer with the Healing Services Department, please contact them for an interview first by calling 216.444.5131.

Mended Hearts is a national organization dedicated to providing support and inspiring hope in heart disease patients and their families for more than 60 years.  Mended Hearts of Greater Cleveland is a chapter of this national nonprofit organization.  Mended Hearts helps people understand that there can be a rich, rewarding life after a heart event.  They bring patients, families and caregivers together to form a network of caring individuals.  Members listen, share their experiences and learn from healthcare professionals.

More Information

If you are interested in becoming a Mended Hearts volunteer, please contact Volunteer Services at 216.445.6986.

Location: Main Campus Taussig Cancer Center
Hours: 1:45 p.m. – 4 p.m. | Wednesdays

Can a steaming cup of British tea and delicious pastries keep the doctor away? Not exactly, but for patients with cancer at Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute, weekly High Tea provides an opportunity to relax and socialize with others – a pleasant diversion from serious treatments and multiple appointments.

Patients and their families dine on delicacies while sipping tea from an array of beautiful porcelain teacups that have been donated by employees and patients. Since its debut on February 21, 2007, the complimentary High Tea has served over 20,000 and welcomes more than 65 guests weekly. High Tea serves as a wonderful healing ritual and provides a supportive atmosphere to enhance patients' experience at Cleveland Clinic.

Volunteers share the responsibility of setting up, greeting, serving, washing cups and cleaning up after each week's event. With the generosity of our volunteers and a wealth of donations from Executive Caterers at Landerhaven and other local businesses, the tea offers patients the high level of class and service that they deserve.

At the Hospice of Cleveland Clinic, we provide the very best in medical care, spiritual solace, social support and human companionship, and we do it with the help of compassionate volunteers.

Interested in joining our volunteer team? No experience is necessary but caring and compassion are required. Positions and commitments are flexible. All necessary training and continuing education is provided based on your chosen volunteer assignment.

More Information

For more information, call the Volunteer Coordinator at 216.444.9819.

Locations: Miller Pavilion, Skyway, Cole, and Taussig
Hours: 8 a.m. – Noon; Noon – 4 p.m. | Monday – Friday

Information desk volunteers:

• Welcome and greet visitors as they enter main entrances
• Provide directions and information about main campus and the greater Cleveland area
• Escort patients and family members to appointments (if needed)
• Provide wheelchair transport (if able)

Locations: Main Campus G21
Hours: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

Assist in completion of iPad survey with patients in waiting area. This volunteer position requires an applicant with a friendly, outgoing personality who is confident using technology. iPad training will be provided for those who may need it.

Locations: Main Campus
Hours: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. | Sunday – Saturday

Volunteers on nursing units provide companionship to hospitalized patients, offer to assist with menu preparation, refill water pitchers, offer blankets or complimentary magazines, and assist with resolving non-clinical concerns.

Attendance at a two-hour nursing unit training session that includes review of policies and procedures is required before a volunteer may be placed on a nursing unit.

Location: Cardiac Cath Lab, Digestive Disease Institute, Imaging Institute, Orthopaedics, Pain Management, Physical Therapy
Hours: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.; 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. | Monday – Friday

Outpatient Area Patient Volunteers:

• Greet and escort patients to exam rooms
• Provide gowning information
• Assist with communication between patients and staff
• Assist with stocking of rooms

Location: Main Campus
Hours: Mornings/Afternoons/Evenings | Sunday through Saturday

Spiritual Care Volunteers include:

• Spiritual Care Labyrinth Volunteer -
  Help set up, tear down and host the J Rooftop prayer/meditation labyrinth on Tuesdays & Thursday from 2-4pm. Volunteers will distribute information on the self-guided walking prayer/meditation labyrinth and help distribute information on the Spiritual Care Department offerings to new admits room to room.
• General Spiritual Care Volunteer -
  Distribute information on the Spiritual Care Department offerings to new admits room to room.
• Bikur Cholim Volunteers -
  Visit Jewish patients; refer patients to rabbi; refer requests for Sabbath needs
• Eucharistic Minister Ambassadors -
  Provide Eucharistic care to Roman Catholic patients; refer patients to priests for other pastoral care services such as anointing of the sick
• Devotional Supplies Volunteers -
  Re-supply patient rooms with approved devotional literature; visit and refer patients for specific needs
• Jehovah's Witness Volunteers -
  Visit hospitalized Jehovah's Witness patients

More Information

Applicants who wish to volunteer with the Spiritual Care Department must be interviewed by a member of the Spiritual Care staff. If you would like to volunteer with the Spiritual Care Department, please contact them for an interview first by calling 216.444.2518.

Location: Taussig Cancer Center Studio 51
Hours: 9 a.m.– 1 p.m. or Noon – 4 p.m. | Monday – Friday

Studio 51, the wig boutique at Taussig Cancer Center, is seeking dedicated female volunteers to provide compassionate support and service to women patients undergoing cancer treatment.

Volunteers assist patients with choosing a complimentary wig (courtesy of the American Cancer Society and individual donors) or cap. This position involves one-on-one interaction with patients and volunteers must be highly attuned to the needs of the patient.

Location: P20 Surgical Family Lounge
Hours: 8 a.m. – Noon; Noon – 4 p.m.; 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. | Monday – Friday

Surgical Family Lounge Volunteers:

• Circulate, answer questions, and provide moral support to family members waiting for patients in surgery
• Escort and accompany family members for five minute visits in the recovery rooms and return to the P20 lounge
• Provide wheelchair transport of family members, as needed

Location: Main Campus G80 or G100
Hours: 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. | Sunday – Saturday

Volunteers make three distinct rounds on these units. In the first round, volunteers assist patients at meal time by clearing the tray tables of clutter, offering warm wash cloths, helping to open containers and cut food, and retrieving items from the pantry.

In the second round, volunteers circulate with the Sweet Dreams Cart and offer patients complimentary comfort items.

Finally, volunteers complete a final round to take extra time to chat with patients and assist with non-clinical concerns. The goal of this program is to prepare patients for a restful evening.

Location: Main Campus
Hours: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. or 3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. | Tuesday – Friday

Volunteers provide an hour tour of Cleveland Clinic main campus for professional staff during their pre-employment orientation day.  Each volunteer will be trained to give an engaging tour of main campus for 4-8 newly hired professional staff members.  Since this volunteer assignment is only one hour, it can be combined with 2-3 hour shifts in another volunteer role elsewhere (Emergency Department, Nursing Unit, etc.).  This role requires a very reliable volunteer with an outgoing and friendly personality along with a professional appearance.

Location: Lutheran Hospital | Solon Family Health Center | Wooster Family Health Center
Hours: 9 a.m.– 1 p.m. or Noon – 4 p.m. | Monday – Friday

Imagine being the person responsible for making a patient or visitor's first impression a positive one! As a welcoming presence at the front doors of our Family Health Centers and Community Hospitals, Volunteer Greeters put a personal touch on patient and visitors' experiences through their greeting, escorting, giving directions and prevailing wheelchair assistance.

We are looking for compassionate, engaging individuals who like to help others and can stand and walk 3-4 hours at a time.

Location: Main Campus
Hours: Scheduled upon request

Volunteer Tour Guides are trained guides who:

• Provide tours of Cleveland Clinic's main campus that are either general in nature or customized based upon specific interests of visiting group