If you are interested in volunteering at Cleveland Clinic Florida, please email: Stormie Neale neales2@ccf.org. In the subject line please type: "Interested in becoming a volunteer." If you do not have email access, please leave a message at 954.689.5206. You will be contacted to schedule a phone interview.
If there is availability in the program and you chose to move forward as a volunteer, you will be asked to complete the following:
- Application and background check
- Reference check (Teens require a guidance counselor recommendation letter on letterhead)
- In-person interview
- General orientation
- Tuberculosis test
- Flu vaccination for those who volunteer in patient care areas
- Professional background survey
- Additional training for individual assignments
Our adult volunteers provide support in many departments throughout the hospital and clinic. The following shifts are available at the Clinic on weekdays and the weekend seven days a week:
- Morning: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Afternoon: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
- Evening: 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
An application, reference check, in-person interview, orientation, tuberculosis test (flu vaccination for those volunteering in patient care areas), professional background survey, background check, and training for the assignment are required for all new volunteers.
Our teen volunteers, 15 years or older, commit to a shift of four consecutive hours per week on a regular scheduled basis for a minimum of 100 hours. A guidance counselor recommendation letter on letterhead is necessary when the application is submitted. The teen shifts are:
- Monday through Friday: 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
If positions are available on the weekends, teens may volunteer during one of these shifts:
- Morning: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Afternoon: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
- Evening: 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
An application, guidance counselor letter on letterhead, in-person interview, orientation, tuberculosis test (flu vaccination for those who volunteer in patient care areas), and training for the assignment are required for all new teen volunteers.
Cleveland Clinic Florida now offers several innovative specialty programs for volunteers. If you are interested in any of these programs, please email:
neales2@ccf.org
In the subject line please type: Interested in volunteering – “Name of the program”
If you do not have email access, please leave a message at 954.689.5206. You will be contacted for screening and orientation processes.
Sweet Dreams
Cleveland Clinic Florida recently introduced a new initiative known as “Sweet Dreams,” which is a nursing incentive program. It was developed to enhance the patient experience. A select group of volunteers went through training to prepare for this program and become “caregivers.”
Sweet Dreams ensures the patient’s needs are being cared for with integrity and a high level of service in a timely and compassionate manner. Caregivers check in with the nurse manager, charge nurse or the unit coordinator at the beginning of their shift to obtain information about the patients. Caregivers visit the patients three times per four hour shift, 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. seven days a week. Volunteers are asked to carry out the following duties:
- Assist patients before meals, clear tray tables from clutter and offer a warm washcloth.
- Distribute comfort items from the “Sweet Dreams” cart, including lip balm, tea, dark chocolate, eye masks, mints, ear buds and more.
- Focus on pleasurable activities with the patients.
- Fill a patient’s water pitcher and provide blankets, socks, shampoo or lotion, etc.
- Offer special care services such as polishing fingernails, giving hand massages, combing hair, etc.
- Relay patient concerns to the nursing staff.
We are looking for enthusiastic individuals who have excellent customer service skills and a willingness to develop positive rapport and relationships with patients, as well as share activities (such as card playing) and conversations. We cannot understate the importance of having pleasant, caring and meaningful conversations with the patients.
Canine Program
Cleveland Clinic Florida offers a canine program which consists of therapy dogs that have been certified and volunteer handlers who visit the hospital. Dogs are at least a year old, have a mild temperament and are in good health. Volunteers commit to one two-hour shift per week, for a minimum of six months.
Patients benefit greatly from pet visitations. Benefits include a warm welcome to a busy facility, empathy, stress relief, nurturance, acceptance, mental stimulation, socialization, entertainment, diversion and fun.
Volunteers benefit greatly as well. Volunteers gain a genuine sense of satisfaction from helping others. They also meet new people, develop new skills and experience a world class professional environment.
Art and Craft Demonstrations
Cleveland Clinic Florida is introducing a new program for volunteers who would like to share their gifts in arts or crafts. We are seeking volunteers who will spend time in the Oncology Department or in patient areas demonstrating their special talent to patients. When possible, patients are given the opportunity to participate and create works of art and crafts. The patient benefits include mental and creative stimulation, stress relief, entertainment, diversion, enjoyment and fun.
Red Coat Ambassadors
The Red Coat Ambassadors play an important role at Cleveland Clinic Florida as they are greeters at both front doors – the hospital and the clinic. We are looking for adult volunteers who are enthusiastic and friendly and who will feel comfortable greeting and welcoming patients, families and guests upon arrival. They will direct and escort people throughout the facilities.
Upon additional training, Ambassadors will be able to master hospital and clinical navigation and will be given a red coat to wear so that they are easily identifiable. Ambassadors will walk and stand during their shift. They should feel comfortable pushing and handling wheelchairs, be able to work independently, and show compassion toward others.
The hospital and the clinic are staffed during weekdays:
- Monday through Friday: 7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Ambassadors are given a half-hour break midday (lunch is provided) and two fifteen-minute breaks. Patients, visitors and guests benefit greatly from the Red Coat Ambassadors. Benefits include a warm welcome to a busy hospital and clinic, empathy, directions, and escort services. Volunteers benefit as well. Volunteers gain a genuine sense of satisfaction from helping others. They will meet new people, develop new skills and experience a world class professional environment.