Volunteering will help you evaluate your decision to pursue a health career and give you a feel for the workplace environment and the role of health professionals.
You will get an idea of the skills and personal qualities needed to be successful in the field and a chance to see how you "measure up". In other words, during or after your volunteer experience, you can ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you really enjoy working in this field?
- What do you have to offer the profession?
- Where might you need additional work and skill development?
Volunteering also offers a chance to demonstrate your maturity and commitment to a future in health care. Evaluations from your supervisors will provide information about your interpersonal skills, ability to communicate, knowledge and compassion for people.
Hospitals can provide key experience if you are considering a health profession that is primarily a clinical role. Most - if not all - hospitals use volunteers. It can be a great way to get into that environment as a pre-health student!
Types of Positions
Volunteering positions can vary greatly within any hospital, so if you have a specific interest, search their website or talk to the volunteer coordinator to find out what any requirements might be. Additionally, volunteering in a hospital can also require a time-commitment from you as a student, which can be a number of months.
Application Process
The application process for a hospital volunteering position can take a number of weeks (or longer). Plan on filling out an application, getting required immunizations, possibly letters of recommendation, and submitting any other required documents. You will need to attend an orientation and set-up your schedule with your supervisor. Often, there is a volunteer coordinator on staff at the hospital who assists in facilitating the application and orientation processes.
The Twin Cities
The Twin Cities metro area has an amazing array of hospitals from which to choose your volunteering experience. Many have a volunteer coordinator on staff to manage their volunteers. Follow the links for a list of hospitals in the Twin Cities area. Make sure to look for the “Volunteer” section on each hospital’s home page
Minnesota Association of Community Health Centers
Mission: MNACHC promotes the cost-effective delivery of affordable, quality primary health care services, with a special emphasis on meeting the needs of uninsured, low income and medically underserved populations.
MN Association of Community Health Centers
Learn more about Federally Qualified Health Care Centers from this factsheet:
Minnesota Hospital Assocaiation
MHA is a trade association representing Minnesota's hospitals and health systems.
Abbott Northwestern Hospital
Abbott Northwestern Hospital is the largest not-for-profit hospital in the Twin Cities area. Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Bethesda Hospital
Saint Paul and Minneaopolis. Since being founded 120 years ago, Bethesda has grown from a small community hospital to the largest rehabilitation hospital in the region.
Children's Hospitals and Clinics
Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota is the eighth-largest children’s health care organization in the U.S., with 319 staffed beds at its two hospital campuses in St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Fairview Health Services
Many hospitals and clinics, throughout the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Their list includes the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview and Amplatz Children's Hospital.
Hennepin County Medical Center
Hennepin County Medical Center has been a vital part of the health care system in Minnesota since it started as Minneapolis City Hospital in 1887. Location: Downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota
Hennepin County Medical Center
Research Associate Program - HCMC Emergency Department
This program hosts medical students and undergraduates interested in medical careers to participate in data collection for academic research projects.
Methodist Hospital
Methodist Hospital is a 426-bed facility and is recognized as an area leader in cancer care, cardiovascular services, maternity care and neuro-rehabilitation medicine.
North Memorial Medical Center
Location: Robbinsdale, Minnesota
Regions Hospital
Regions Hospital is a full-service, private hospital providing outstanding medical care, with special programs in heart, women's services, cancer, surgery, digestive care, seniors' services, behavioral health, burn, emergency and trauma. Patients receive state-of-the-art care in an environment that promotes comfort and healing.
Shriners Hospital for Children
The Shriners Hospitals for Children/Twin Cities is a leading upper Midwest children's hospital providing high quality pediatric orthopaedic care. Located on the east side of the Mississippi River between Minneapolis and St. Paul, the hospital is a short term, 40-bed facility that combines quality medical care with innovative education and research. At Shriners Hospitals, there is no charge to the patient, parent, or any third party.
St. Josephs Hospital
Founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1853, St. Joseph's Hospital in downtown St. Paul is proud to hold the distinction as Minnesota's first hospital. Although much has changed in health care since the hospital's early days, the practice of providing high quality, compassionate care remains constant.
The hospital is a member of the University of Minnesota's Family Medicine and Community Health residency program and is Medicare certified.
Volunteer within the HealthEast Care System.
United Hospital
United Hospital is the largest hospital in the Twin Cities east metro area, providing a full range of health care services to more than 200,000 people each year. United's excellent staff, modern facilities and commitment to providing patients with the best care using state-of-the-art technology has helped the hospital attract some of the most renowned and innovative practitioners in the nation.
University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital
U.S. News and World Report ranks the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital among the best in the country for the fifth consecutive year!
University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital
Care Partners
Care Partners is a unique volunteer program only available at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital and the UMMC. Care Partners provides support and encouragement to pediatric blood marrow transplant and hematology/oncology patients and their family members, whatever the outcome of their treatment.
University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview
University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview is among the most respected teaching institutions in the nation, balancing responsiveness to patients’ needs and wishes with access to innovative treatments and technology to deliver superior health outcomes. Located on two campuses—one on the east bank and the other on the west bank of the Mississippi River near downtown Minneapolis—University of Minnesota Medical Center includes outpatient and inpatient facilities.
University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview
Care Partners
Care Partners is a unique volunteer program only available at the University of Minnesota Amplatz Children's Hospital and the UMMC. Care Partners provides support and encouragement to pediatric blood marrow transplant and hematology/oncology patients and their family members, whatever the outcome of their treatment.