Frequently Asked Questions

Q.  How long must I wait before I can start volunteering?

A.  After your completed application is reviewed by the volunteer staff you may be asked to make two appointments – one for Employee Health and one for Volunteer Orientation. It can take anywhere from two to four weeks before you can begin.  The Employee Health Department offers assessments to new volunteers every two weeks.  The Volunteer Orientation coincides with the Employee Health schedule. 

Senior Volunteers must successfully complete a background investigation prior to starting their volunteer assignment.  The background investigation will occur once a volunteer has received a schedule from a departmental supervisor and notifies Volunteer Services of the tentative start date.

You may find that it will take upwards of four weeks to begin if you apply during the early summer or early fall, our busiest time of year. 

Q. What days of the week and times are Employee Health and Volunteer Orientations held?

A.  The Employee Health Department permits volunteers to schedule their appointments on Tuesdays only.  The appointments are given in 15 minute intervals between the hours of 8:30am and 3:15pm.  During the school year, appointments between the hours of 2pm and 3:15pm are reserved for volunteers who are between the ages of 14 and 17.

The Employee Health assessment consists of a tube of blood drawn from your arm to test immunities to Mumps, Rubella and Rubeola.  A PPD is also administered to test for Tuberculosis (this is a two part test consisting of a planting and a reading 2-3 days later.) The Employee Health appointment is free of charge.

Volunteer Orientation is a two hour session that is scheduled on the Thursday or Friday during the same week as the Employee Health appointment. The Volunteer Orientation covers topics such as: fire safety, patient confidentiality, general procedures, attendance, infection control, etc.  You will also have your Identification Badge picture taken on the day of orientation. There is one morning and one afternoon orientation session scheduled each month. 

Q. How do I find out what departments I can work in?

A.  When you deliver your application to the Volunteer Office you will have an opportunity to view our Volunteer Position Description Book which lists all of the assignments available to volunteers. The description of assignments is also available on-line by visiting www.stonybrookmedicalcenter.org You choose the assignment!  Once your application is submitted you may start calling the department supervisor to discuss placement and a schedule.

A staff member from Volunteer Services will notify you via telephone of your clearance to start and will ask you for the schedule you worked out with the departmental supervisor.  You will then be given a start date.  For Senior Volunteers, the start date given is tentative, pending a successful background investigation.

Q. What is the difference between a Junior and Senior Volunteer?

A.  A junior volunteer is someone who is between the age of 14 years and 17years. Junior Volunteers are not permitted to work after 7pm, may be restricted from some assignments and cannot volunteer more than 16 hours per week.  Take notice on each page of the role description book to check if the department you are interested in is open to all volunteers or just senior volunteers only.

 A senior volunteer is someone who is 18 or older. Senior volunteers must undergo a successful background investigation before they are permitted to begin their volunteer service.

Q. Do I need to wear a uniform?  Do I have to purchase one?

A.  Yes, all volunteers are required to be in uniform when reporting for volunteer service.  The only assignments exempt from the uniform rule is Pediatrics and Child Psychiatry.  Volunteer uniforms are available for purchase on the volunteers first day of service. The cost of the uniform is $19.99.   If the cost of the uniform will create an economic hardship for any volunteer, speak with the Volunteer Services staff privately for an alternative solution.

Q. What about parking and snack cards?

A.  All hospital volunteers are eligible for free parking on their day of service or when they are visiting the hospital for a volunteer-related appointment.  When arriving at University Hospital, please park in the visitor’s parking garage and bring in your parking ticket for validation.

Volunteers are entitled to a snack card voucher which has a value of $4.50 and is issued daily after a minimum of 3 hours of volunteer service is completed.

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