Adult volunteer opportunities at Geisinger
Check out our diverse adult volunteer programs.
- Canine assisted (pet) therapy
Certified therapy dogs help bring joy, stress relief and companionship to patients, guests and employees. Learn about pet therapy. - Caring cart
Socialize with patients and their families and offer comfort items while walking throughout waiting areas and in-patient locations. - Companion and patient visitor
Spend time visiting, sitting with and comforting hospitalized patients. - Emergency room companion
Visit and comfort patients and their families in our emergency department waiting areas. - Eucharistic minister
Provide a caring atmosphere and positive experience for patients and family members of the Catholic faith in partnership with Geisinger’s Spiritual Care Department. - External (at home) opportunities
Provide support from the comfort of your home by creating items used in the care of our patients. Formal application process not required — contact us to participate. Ideas for items include:- Make hats or blankets for NICU infants, children’s hospital patients and adults undergoing cancer treatment
- Assemble birthday boxes for youth patients
- Sew felt hearts for the “1,000 Hearts” project
- Cut and assemble stars and cards for our “Vet 2 Vet” program
- Crochet items for the “Unexpected Kindness” program
- Fresh Food Farmacy
Help in our Fresh Food Farmacy by performing tasks like loading supplies, stocking shelves and helping members choose food items. Learn about our Fresh Food Farmacy. - Greeting and wayfinding
Welcome patients and visitors, assist in wayfinding, answer phones, help with guest transport and maintain a clean environment in public areas. - Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP)
Special opportunity for eligible college students to offer care to patients 65 and older with interventions designed to prevent functional decline and improve the quality of their hospital stay. Learn about the HELP program. - House of Care
Perform reception and host duties for families staying in the Donald P. Vrabec House of Care in Danville: Provide information and directions, support clerical work, perform light cleaning and organizing of supplies, organize and run activities and assist with programs. - Ronald McDonald family room
Perform reception and host duties for families staying in the Ronald McDonald family rooms in Wilkes-Barre or Danville; greet families; provide information and directions; and support clerical work, light cleaning and organizing supplies. - Support services
Perform clerical support, item delivery and distribution, help with special projects and patient escort/discharge. - Veterans (Vet 2 Vet)
Visit with veteran patients, providing camaraderie and resources for support. (You must be a U.S. military veteran to serve in this program.) Learn about the Vet 2 Vet program.
FAQs
What is a typical volunteer schedule like?
Most volunteers participate on a regular schedule once a week, a few times a week or monthly for a shift of 3 or more hours. Your individual schedule will depend on the nature of your assignment and your personal availability.
How long must I wait before I can start volunteering?
The volunteer “onboarding process” (consisting of application, references, interview, clearances, orientation and specific department training) can take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks. Onboarding must be completed before the start of service.
I need court-ordered community service hours. Can you sign off on those for me?
Unfortunately, Geisinger does not participant in court-ordered community service programs.
Why is an email address required to volunteer?
Applying for a volunteer position and obtaining the needed clearances for volunteering is done online and requires a personal email address. The Volunteer Services staff communicates with volunteers primarily by email because it is quick, free and efficient. We can help you set up a new email address if needed.
What if I don’t have access to a computer to complete the application and clearance process?
You can call Volunteer Services at 570-214-6021 to make arrangements to complete the application and required online clearance process in person at our office.
What if I begin a volunteer assignment and don't like it?
We’ll work with you to find an assignment that is meaningful for you and makes the most of your talents while being impactful for our staff and patients. At times, there is a waiting list for some roles and your first choice may not be available, but we’ll do our best to find a good fit for you.
What do I wear when volunteering?
All Geisinger volunteers are required to wear a volunteer uniform and a Geisinger name badge while serving so they’re easily identifiable. The volunteer uniform is a red shirt, which we supply free to all volunteers upon the start of their service. You’ll wear your red uniform top with navy, tan or gray pants and closed-toe shoes that you supply.
Can I take time off from volunteering during the year?
Yes. We work with you to accommodate your schedule. For example, are you going on a trip or living in another state for a few months out of the year? That’s OK. Note: If you take a leave from service for 6 months or more, a new health screening is required to begin service again.
Does Volunteer Services offer the opportunity to shadow physicians or observe in a clinical setting?
No. Volunteering is different than shadowing or observation. Volunteer Services does not arrange shadowing with hospital departments. Anyone interested in a shadowing or observation experience can contact the respective hospital department directly to arrange the experience.
Does Volunteer Services set up learning opportunities for internships, externships or co-op students in a clinical setting?
No. Volunteer Services does not arrange internships or cooperative learning experiences with hospital departments. Anyone interested in participating in a learning experience for school credit must contact Geisinger Human Resources at 570-271-6640 for information on these experiences.
I have background checks/clearances from volunteering elsewhere. Do I still need to complete Geisinger’s clearances?
Yes. You must complete the background check/clearances through Geisinger unless you can provide the original, unexpired documents. Clearances are done at no cost to you.
Once I become a Geisinger volunteer, can I transfer to other Geisinger locations? Can I volunteer at both?
Yes. You may volunteer at different Geisinger locations as long as you work with the Volunteer Services team to make the needed arrangements with each location.