Are you looking for a meaningful way to give back to your community in Lincoln, NE, or the wider Nebraska area? Do you have a compassionate heart and a desire to support patients and their families? Nebraska Medicine, with its renowned facilities including Nebraska Medical Center, Bellevue Medical Center, and Village Pointe Health Center, offers a variety of fulfilling volunteer programs where you can make a real difference. While new volunteer applications are temporarily paused until spring 2025, now is the perfect time to explore the diverse opportunities available and prepare to join their dedicated volunteer team.
This guide highlights some of the key volunteer roles at Nebraska Medicine, showcasing how your skills and kindness can contribute to patient care and create a more welcoming and supportive healthcare environment.
Diverse Volunteer Roles to Match Your Interests and Skills
Nebraska Medicine provides a wide spectrum of volunteer positions, ensuring there’s a role that aligns with your interests, availability, and skills. From greeting and guiding visitors to providing direct patient support, your contribution will be invaluable. Here are some of the exciting areas where you can volunteer:
Welcoming Ambassadors: Guiding and Assisting Guests
As an Ambassador, you become the friendly face of Nebraska Medicine. Located at the main entrances of Nebraska Medical Center, Bellevue Medical Center, and Village Pointe Health Center, Ambassadors play a crucial role in:
- Greeting guests with warmth and professionalism.
- Providing directions and wayfinding assistance within the facility.
- Creating a positive first impression for patients and visitors.
Time Commitment: Weekdays, with varying shifts:
- Bellevue and Village Pointe: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Nebraska Medical Center: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Anatomic Pathology Support: Behind-the-Scenes Contribution
For those interested in the operational aspects of healthcare, volunteering in Anatomic Pathology at Nebraska Medical Center offers a unique opportunity to support the staff by:
- Assisting with the timely delivery of slides.
- Filing slides efficiently for storage.
This role is vital for the smooth functioning of the department and contributes indirectly to patient care.
Time Commitment: Weekdays, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cardiac and Heart Care Support: Enhancing Patient Comfort – NEW!
The Cardiac Intensive Care/Progressive Care and Heart and Vascular Inpatient Units at Nebraska Medical Center are seeking volunteers to directly enhance the patient experience. In these NEW roles, you will:
- Visit newly admitted patients with a welcoming and informative approach.
- Explain essential patient resources, including the patient guide and food ordering process.
- Provide friendly companionship and support to ease the hospital stay.
Time Commitment: Weekdays and Weekends, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Child Life and Pediatric Support: Bringing Joy to Young Patients
If you have a passion for working with children, the Child Life/Inpatient Pediatrics unit at Nebraska Medical Center offers a rewarding volunteer experience. In this role, you will:
- Assist Child Life staff in organizing and conducting engaging activities for hospitalized children.
- Help create a positive and uplifting environment to promote well-being.
- Contribute to a sense of normalcy and self-esteem during a challenging time.
Important Note: Volunteers in this unit must be at least 19 years old.
Time Commitment: Weekdays & Weekends, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Medical-Surgical Inpatient Unit Support: Direct Patient Interaction – NEW!
Located in Clarkson Tower, level four at Nebraska Medical Center, this NEW Medical-Surgical Inpatient volunteer role focuses on improving the patient experience through direct interaction and non-clinical support. You will:
- Assist administrative and patient care staff with various non-clinical tasks.
- Visit patients to offer companionship and support.
- Explain hospital resources like food ordering and patient guides.
Time Commitment: Weekdays, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Clinic and Department Assistance: Supporting Various Specialties
Clinic/Department Assistants are needed across Nebraska Medical Center, Bellevue Medical Center, and Village Pointe Health Center to provide crucial support in various specialized clinics. Roles include:
- Assisting patients and families with check-in and navigation.
- Providing administrative support to clinic staff.
- Ensuring a smooth and efficient clinic flow.
Clinics Seeking Volunteers:
- Cancer Clinic (Nebraska Medical Center) – NEW!
- Bariatrics Center (Nebraska Medical Center)
- Diabetes and Endocrinology Center (Nebraska Medical Center)
- Home Instead Center for Successful Aging
- Midtown Health Center
- Multi-Organ Transplant Clinic (Nebraska Medical Center)
- Resource and Wellness Center (Nebraska Medical Center)
- Olson Center for Women’s Health (Nebraska Medical Center) – NEW!
- Physical Therapy (Nebraska Medical Center)
- Wound Clinic (Nebraska Medical Center)
Time Commitment: Weekdays, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Gift Shop Support: Contributing to Special Projects
Volunteering at CornerStone Gifts and Clarkson Gift Shop at Nebraska Medical Center is a unique way to contribute. You will:
- Assist customers with their purchases of gifts, flowers, and merchandise.
- Help operate the gift shop, knowing proceeds support special projects at the medical center.
Time Commitment: Weekdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Emergency Department Support: Providing Comfort in Critical Moments
The Emergency Departments at Nebraska Medical Center and Bellevue Medical Center (NEW at Bellevue!) require compassionate volunteers to:
- Support families and staff in a fast-paced environment.
- Perform essential non-medical duties to assist the team.
- Offer comfort and reassurance to those in distress.
Important Note: Volunteers in the Emergency Department must be at least 18 years of age.
Time Commitment:
- Nebraska Medical Center: Weekdays and Weekends, 8 a.m. to midnight
- Bellevue Medical Center: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Equipment Transport: Ensuring Operational Efficiency – NEW!
This NEW role at Nebraska Medical Center is vital for maintaining hygiene and operational efficiency. Equipment Transporters:
- Transport soiled reusable medical equipment from patient floors to Clarkson Tower Sterile Processing.
This behind-the-scenes role is essential for patient safety and resource management.
Hospitality Cart: Bringing Comfort and Distraction
Enhance patient comfort with the Hospitality Cart program at Nebraska Medical Center, Bellevue Medical Center, and Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center. Volunteers:
- Share comfort items like crossword puzzles, magazines, and playing cards with adult patients and their guests.
- Provide a welcome distraction and a touch of normalcy during hospital stays.
Time Commitment: Weekdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Infusion Center Support: Comfort and Assistance During Treatment
Volunteers in the Infusion Centers at Nebraska Medical Center and Village Pointe Health Center play a vital role in:
- Supporting patients and families undergoing clinic visits and infusion treatments.
- Performing hospitality and department assistant tasks to ensure patient comfort and smooth operations.
Time Commitment: Weekdays, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Lied Tower Inpatient Unit Support: Enhancing the Patient Stay – NEW!
This NEW volunteer opportunity in Lied Tower Inpatient Unit at Nebraska Medical Center focuses on direct patient support through non-clinical tasks. You will:
- Visit patients and explain patient guides and meal ordering processes.
- Offer information about other services to improve their hospital experience.
Time Commitment: Weekdays and Weekends, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Neurology Inpatient Unit Support: Technology and Comfort – NEW!
In the Neurology Inpatient Unit at Nebraska Medical Center (NEW!), volunteers are needed to:
- Visit patients and introduce them to educational tablets and other guest tools.
- Help patients utilize technology to enhance their stay and access information.
Time Commitment: Weekdays and Weekends, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Patient Mail Delivery: Spreading Cheer and Connection
A simple yet impactful way to volunteer at Nebraska Medical Center is through Patient Mail Delivery. Volunteers:
- Brighten patients’ days by delivering mail and “Well Wishers” e-mails.
- Provide a personal touch and connection to the outside world.
Time Commitment: Weekdays, afternoons
Pulmonary and Radiology Ambassador: Guiding Patients Through Appointments – NEW!
Pulmonary Diagnostic and Radiology Ambassadors at Nebraska Medical Center play a crucial role in patient experience by:
- Escorting patients throughout the campus to various appointments and entrances.
- Enhancing guest relations and reducing patient stress by providing clear guidance.
Time Commitment:
- Pulmonary Diagnostic Ambassadors: Weekdays, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Radiology Ambassadors: Weekdays, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Surgery Ambassador: Support in Surgical Areas – NEW!
Surgery Ambassadors at Nebraska Medical Center and Bellevue Medical Center (NEW at Bellevue!) are needed to:
- Welcome guests to surgical areas and provide wayfinding assistance.
- Offer support and information to families during surgical procedures.
Time Commitment: Weekdays, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Volunteer Opportunities Requiring Additional Training and Skills
For those with specialized skills or interests, Nebraska Medicine also offers volunteer roles with additional training and requirements:
Angel Hearts & Hands: Crafting Comfort and Care
The Angel Hearts & Hands program at Nebraska Medical Center, Bellevue Medical Center, and Village Pointe Health Center welcomes individuals and groups who enjoy:
- Knitting, sewing, and crafting projects to benefit patients.
- Creating items like prayer shawls, lap blankets, and turbans to provide comfort and warmth.
This is a wonderful opportunity to use your creative talents to support patients.
Animal Assisted Therapy (Pet Therapy): The Healing Power of Animals
Animal Assisted Therapy at Nebraska Medical Center, Bellevue Medical Center, and Village Pointe Health Center harnesses the therapeutic benefits of animals. Volunteers:
- Bring certified pet therapy dogs to visit patients, reducing stress and providing companionship.
Important Note: Your dog must be a certified pet therapy dog with a recognized organization to participate.
Time Commitment: Weekdays, varied hours
Spiritual Care: Supporting Spiritual Well-being
Spiritual Care volunteers at Nebraska Medical Center and Bellevue Medical Center provide essential support by:
- Connecting patients with their spiritual communities and/or medical center resources.
- Offering spiritual and emotional support to patients and families.
Important Note: An interview with a Spiritual Care manager is required before placement.
Time Commitment: Weekdays and Weekends
Join the Nebraska Medicine Volunteer Team
While Nebraska Medicine is currently pausing new volunteer applications, they eagerly anticipate welcoming new volunteers in Spring 2025. Keep checking their website for updates and get ready to apply for a rewarding volunteer experience where you can provide compassionate “cuddle care” and make a tangible difference in the lives of patients in Lincoln, NE, and surrounding communities. Your willingness to volunteer is deeply appreciated, and Nebraska Medicine looks forward to hearing from you soon!
