Volunteer Services

Why Volunteer at Loyola Medicine?

Volunteers receive many benefits by donating their time to Loyola:

• Opportunity to meet new people and learn new skills
• Invitation to attend special events, including the employee and volunteer picnic
• Free health screening and annual flu shot
• Discount on items in the hospital gift shop
• Free parking during your volunteer shift
• Letter of reference after 104 hours of service, or 60 hours for Junior Volunteers
• Opportunity to gain non-clinical exposure in a healthcare setting

Consider becoming a volunteer at Loyola Medicine. Volunteers are asked to commit to volunteering an average of four hours per week for at least six months. Volunteer services are performed throughout the day during morning, afternoon and evening shifts.

Contact

Sara Schad 
Regional Manager, Patient and Volunteer Engagement 
708-216-5398 
Sara.Schad@luhs.org

Adult Volunteers

We are excited you have chosen Loyola Medicine as a volunteer placement! Our organization values volunteer service and strives to provide a rewarding and challenging experience to those who volunteer.

Volunteer opportunities exist in a variety of areas throughout the medical center. Volunteer opportunities include emergency department patient support, pediatrics child life assistants, inpatient friendly visitors, guest relations, wayfinders, pet therapy and many more.

Learn about current volunteer opportunities

Are you ready to brighten the lives of our patients and families? Below you will find information about our volunteer screening process. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns while completing the process.

Thank you again for your interest in volunteering at Loyola!

Volunteer Screening Process

To ensure the safety of our patients and families, there are certain requirements that we ask each volunteer to meet in order to volunteer at Loyola Medicine. These requirements are set in place for your protection as well as for the protection of our patients, visitors and staff. Each requirement must be met before your first day of volunteering.

1. Complete and submit the online Volunteer Application for:
   • Gottlieb Memorial Hospital in Melrose Park (Volunteer Application for Gottlieb Memorial Hospital (volgistics.com)
   • Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood (Volunteer Application for Loyola University Medical Center (volgistics.com))
   • MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn (Volunteer Application for MacNeal Hospital (volgistics.com))
   • Outpatient Facilities (APPLICATION FOR VOLUNTEER - AMBULATORY SITES (volgistics.com))
2. Interview – All volunteers will meet with the volunteer services staff to discuss interests, complete paperwork and determine potential placement.
3. References – All volunteers will need to have two reference forms completed by non-relatives.
4. Background Check – All volunteers 18 and over will participate in a criminal background check.
5. Health Screening and Seasonal Influenza Vaccine – All volunteers will need to participate in a health screening at Loyola Medicine, provided at no cost.
6. Orientation – After successful completion of the above steps, volunteers will be provided with instructions for completing the volunteer orientation and quiz.
7. Uniform and Volunteer ID Badge – Volunteers will be provided a uniform that distinguishes them as part of the volunteer team. Each volunteer receives a hospital-issued identification badge to wear at all times.

College Volunteers

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Loyola Medicine. We are excited that you have chosen us for a possible volunteer placement.

Volunteer opportunities exist in a variety of areas throughout the medical center. Volunteer opportunities include emergency department patient support, pediatrics child life assistants, inpatient friendly visitors, guest relations, wayfinders, and many more.

Learn about current volunteer opportunities

The College Volunteer Program is divided into three sessions (Winter, Summer and Fall). These sessions generally follow the times of a normal college semester. Students are accepted into the program after a successful completion of an interview with the Volunteer Services Department, the completion of paperwork, which includes a background check, and completion of an online volunteer orientation packet.

Students are required to commit to a minimum of two sessions (eight months). The weekly commitment is one day a week for 4 hours on a set schedule. Volunteers are placed in a single position for both volunteer sessions, but schedules may change for the second session if needed. We make every effort to place students in an area they are interested in, but placement is dependent upon the number of openings and number of students applying.

Volunteer Program Sessions

Start and end dates will vary but, in general, the session follows the normal college semester.

Winter – January through the end of April 
Summer - May through the end of August 
Fall – September through the end of December

Deadlines for Applications

Given the lengthy screening process, volunteers must complete the application before the deadlines listed below. Applicants applying after the deadline are not guaranteed a placement for that semester.

Winter Session – December 1st 
Summer Session – April 15th 
Fall Session – September 1st

Volunteer Screening Process

To ensure the safety of our patients and families, there are certain requirements that we ask each volunteer to meet in order to volunteer at Loyola Medicine. These requirements are set in place for your protection as well as for the protection of our patients, visitors and staff. Each requirement must be met before your first day of volunteering.

1. Application – Complete and submit the online Volunteer Application.
2. Interview – All volunteers will meet with the volunteer services staff to discuss interests, complete paperwork and determine potential placement.
3. References – All volunteers will need to have two reference forms completed by non-relatives.
4. Background Check – All volunteers 18 and over will participate in a criminal background check.
5. Health Screening and Seasonal Influenza Vaccine – All volunteers participate in a health screening at LUHS, provided at no cost.
6. Orientation – After successful completion of the above steps, volunteers will be provided with instructions for completing the volunteer orientation and quiz.
7. Uniform and Volunteer ID Badge – Volunteers will be provided a uniform that distinguishes them as part of the volunteer team. Each volunteer receives a hospital-issued identification badge to wear at all times.

Junior Volunteers

The application is open for the Summer 2024 Junior Volunteer Program. The deadline to apply for this summer is March 23, 2024.

Trying to decide if healthcare is the right field for you? Do you want to learn new skills and enhance your resume while helping others? Join our team of Junior Volunteers!

Loyola’s junior volunteer program allows students to perform meaningful activities. Dedicated healthcare professionals serve as role models for professional behavior, supervise students and set standards that encourage students to grow through community involvement and service.

Junior Volunteers must be at least 16 years old and commit to 60 hours of service per year, same days and times each week for 8 consecutive weeks during the summer. Due to the limited space for Junior Volunteers, we are only able to accept the strongest applicants.

Junior Volunteer Program Requirements

The Summer Junior Volunteer Program runs from June to the middle of August. Junior Volunteers must be able to make an eight-week commitment and be able to make up absences (absences should not exceed two). Junior Volunteers must be able to commit to two 4-hour shifts per week, same days and times each week. Junior Volunteers must be ages 16-18 years old and attending high school. The volunteer orientation and training take place in June during each volunteer's first week of serving as a volunteer.

To ensure the safety of our patients and families, all volunteers must participate in a screening process including:

1. Application – Complete and submit the online Volunteer Application.
2. Interview – All volunteers will meet with the volunteer services staff to discuss interests, complete paperwork and determine potential placement. The interview will take place during Spring Break.
3. Parental Permission – You will be provided with a permission form to bring with you to the volunteer interview.
4. References – All volunteers will need to have two reference forms completed by non-relatives. You will be provided with the Reference Check Form and directions to bring with you the interview.
5. Background Check – All volunteers 18 and over will participate in a criminal background check.
6. Health Screening and Seasonal Influenza Vaccine – All volunteers participate in a health screening at Loyola Medicine, provided at no cost. If accepted as a volunteer, you will be provided with information for how to schedule a health screening at Loyola Medicine.
7. Orientation – After successful completion of the above steps, volunteers will be provided with instructions for completing the volunteer orientation and quiz.
8. Uniform and Volunteer ID Badge – Volunteers will be provided a uniform that distinguishes them as part of the volunteer team. Each volunteer receives a hospital-issued identification badge to wear at all times.

Patient and Family Advisory Council

Loyola Medicine takes pride in our partnership with patients and their family members through the Patient and Family Advisory Council. The council is a key committee that works with administrative, nursing and medical staff to promote and enhance patient- and family-centered care throughout our organization.

The Patient and Family Advisory Council enriches the partnership between patients, families and hospital leadership. The council’s monthly meetings are an opportunity to discuss important issues and learn from guest presentations and participate in special projects and committees.

The council works in a supportive, trustworthy and confidential environment in which members share personal perspectives while appreciating other points of view. Members are encouraged to listen and ask questions and to show concern for more than one issue. They are empowered to:

• Partner with hospital staff and guest presenters to bring about meaningful change.
• Request presentations on topics of interest.
• Provide the perspective of patients and their families.
• Share suggestions and offer solutions to improve patient care and enhance the experience of patients, families and other guests.
• Plan and enhance education and support services for patients and their families.

If you are interested in joining, please complete the online form for Gottlieb, MacNeal or Loyola University Medical Center.

We appreciate your interest and invite you to learn more about Loyola’s Patient and Family Advisory Council. For more information, you are welcome to contact Sara Schad, manager of patient and volunteer engagement, at 708-216-5398 or Sara.Schad@luhs.org.

Helping Hands

In the 54 years since its inception, the Auxiliary has donated more than $6.5 million to the hospital. These funds have been used to help cover the cost of projects such as: renovation of the surgical department; construction of a diagnostic center and new cardiology department; expansion of the emergency department and many other patient-care projects. The Auxiliary is responsible for:

• Volunteer Services
• Student Volunteers
• The Gift Shop

Scholarships - Each year, the Auxiliary together with the Medical Staff annually awards scholarships to area high-school students who are interested in the healthcare field and area students already enrolled in a college-level, healthcare program.

To apply for a scholarship, college students may pick up an application in the Auxiliary office, located on the first floor of the Professional Building. High school students are chosen by counselors at each area high school on the basis of grades and interest in health careers. The Auxiliary must receive all applications by July 1.

Learn how you can directly give to Gottlieb

Auxiliary Membership

Membership in the Auxiliary is open to anyone interested in Gottlieb Memorial Hospital.

Annual membership dues:

• Volunteers: $5
• Auxiliary: $10
• Life membership: $100 (one-time contribution)

Volunteer Opportunities

Whether you’re interested in helping others or learning more about the healthcare field, there are many departments at Gottlieb Memorial Hospital where you can make a difference.

Learn about current volunteer opportunities

If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer, please complete our Volunteer Service Application.

Contact Us

For more information about joining the Auxiliary or applying for a scholarship, call 708-538-4969.

For more information about becoming a volunteer, please visit our Volunteer Services site.