Hospital Volunteer

Awareness & Understanding

Hospitals can feel overwhelming — for patients, families, and even staff. Volunteers make that experience less lonely. Start by learning what hospital volunteers actually do: visit the volunteer pages at University of Utah Health (healthcare.utah.edu) and Intermountain Health (intermountainhealthcare.org) and read their volunteer program descriptions. Watch "A Day in the Life of a Hospital Volunteer" on YouTube. Notice the range of roles — from escorting patients to staffing information desks to holding babies in the NICU. You're ready for the next step when you can list at least four different roles hospital volunteers fill and explain why each one matters to patients or staff.

Research & Investigation

Look at specific openings. Search VolunteerMatch.org for "hospital volunteer Salt Lake City" and browse what comes up. Also check Primary Children's Hospital's volunteer page — they have special teen and adult volunteer tracks. Notice which departments interest you most: the ER waiting room, oncology, pediatrics, or the gift shop. Read two or three volunteer testimonials if you can find them — search "hospital volunteer story" on YouTube for real accounts. You're ready for the next step when you've identified one or two specific hospital departments or roles you'd genuinely want to try and can explain why.

Planning & Preparation

Apply to volunteer at your chosen hospital. Most Utah hospitals require an online application, a background check, TB test, and an orientation session. Go do those things — don't wait for perfect timing. While your application processes, download the free MyChart app (used by both U of U Health and Intermountain) to understand how patients interact with the health system. Also read up on HIPAA basics — patient privacy rules matter a lot in hospitals. Search "HIPAA basics for volunteers" on YouTube. You're ready for the next step when you've submitted your application, completed your health screening, and attended orientation.

Taking Action

Start your shifts and pay attention. Every interaction — giving directions, sitting with a worried family, pushing a wheelchair — matters more than it looks. Keep a simple log: date, department, what you did, and one moment that stood out. Talk to nurses and staff when you can — ask what's most helpful from a volunteer. After four or five shifts, you'll start to feel the rhythm of the floor. You're ready for the next step when you've completed at least six volunteer hours across multiple shifts and can describe what a good volunteer shift looks and feels like.

Leadership & Expansion

Now think bigger. Could you recruit other volunteers? Help train new ones? Many hospital volunteer programs let experienced volunteers mentor newcomers — ask your coordinator if that's an option. Look into whether your hospital offers a junior volunteer or teen board program you could help promote in your school or community. Explore health care career resources at the Utah Department of Health and Human Services (health.utah.gov) — volunteering is often the first step. You're ready for the next step when you've either mentored a new volunteer, helped recruit someone, or taken on a new role or responsibility at your hospital.

Impact & Reflection

You've spent real time inside a hospital as someone who's there to help — that's not common. Write a reflection on how this changed your view of health care, illness, or community. What surprised you? What was harder than expected? Post it somewhere: a school paper, a blog, or the SLCTrips feed. If you're considering a health career, look at the University of Utah's Health Sciences Explorer program or Intermountain's student resources. You're ready for the next step when you've written your reflection and can articulate one specific way your volunteer work changed how you see hospitals or patients.