Volunteering at a hospital is a wonderful way to give back to your community, and participate in a meaningful, rewarding cause.

Hoag Volunteers offer their time, skills, and talent in a variety of ways to enhance the Hoag/patient experience. Whether you want to help patients or visitors find their way, spread cheer with a smile, or make a visit special, Hoag Volunteers make a difference!

Hoag Volunteers come from all walks of life and are representative of the diverse communities we serve.

Hoag Volunteer Programs:

• Auxiliary Volunteer (Adult) - Newport Beach, Irvine, Tustin, Huntington Beach

• Jr. Auxiliary Volunteer (High School) - Newport Beach, Irvine

• Health Scholar Volunteer (College/University student or graduate interested in health care)

• Hospice (In-patient, No One Dies Alone, Home Hospice)

• Pet Therapy Volunteer (Dog visits with certified/registered dogs and handlers)

• Holistic (Music Therapy, Reiki, etc.)

Volunteer duties are customer service oriented and provides supplemental support for patients, visitors, staff, physicians, and other customers, as appropriate.

• Greet and provide courteous and empathetic customer service

• Assist customers with wayfinding, directions, and information

• Deliver items to patient rooms

• Run errands

• Assist with gift store and flower delivery

• Stock Supplies (as appropriate)

• Transport a patient in a wheelchair for simple admitting or discharge

• Escort patients, visitors, and staff.

• Coordinate food & drink errands as directed by staff

• Provide comfort, such as listening & talking to people and blankets (as appropriate)

Areas of service include but are not limited to:

• Patient care areas or Nursing Units

• Lobbies (greeters)

• Waiting Areas

• Gift Store

• Call Volunteer Office for information or submit an interest form

• Have a call with the Volunteer Services team to review interest and programs available

• If you are selected to move forward, a virtual or in-person interview will be held

• An application will be sent to you to complete

• Pass a complete background check

• Successfully complete general volunteer orientation

• Health Screening (collection of vaccination records, TB test, Flu vaccine or mask if declined)

• First Day On-boarding (badge, uniform, and first day area training)

Make a difference by volunteering

When you donate your valuable time, skills, and energy by volunteering, you’re making an impact that positively affects the lives of patients and their families when they are truly in need.

Volunteers supplement the care to patients

Even the simplest of gestures — reading to or talking with someone — has a meaningful impact. There are many ways for you to contribute your time and talents. Our volunteers provide immeasurable support in such ways as:

• Visiting with patients

• Giving family caregivers much-needed relief

• Supporting the hospice team by preparing supply kits and tasks in the office

Volunteers support our commitment to caring

Whether you’re interacting with patients or helping in the office or special event, all you really need is compassion and a desire to serve others. Our volunteers:

• Are sensitive to the needs of others

• Have an open and compassionate heart

• Are excellent with interpersonal communication and listening skills

• Are not judgmental of the beliefs and lifestyles of others

• Have sufficiently resolved any long-term or recent losses

We request a commitment of two and a half to three hours per week, while working with and accommodating your schedule. Other volunteer requirements include:

• Meeting the requirements for the hospice volunteer program starting with a phone interview to review requirements and assess interest.

• If accepted, successfully passing of requirements, such as background check, health screening, volunteer orientation, hospice volunteer training, and probationary review.

If you would like more information on our hospice volunteer program, please call (949) 736-6150.

The Health Scholar Volunteer Program (previously known as Clinical Care Extender Program) is partnering with COPE, local universities and colleges, Hoag’s Patient Care and Volunteer Services.

Health Scholar Volunteers:

• College or university students or graduates interested in any healthcare field

• Assist staff with basic patient comfort care and service on nursing units

• Have opportunities to rotate through different nursing units, to include, but are not limited to: Medical Surgical, Telemetry, Pulmonary, Oncology, Gynecology/Urology, Brain and Spine, Cardiac ICU, Labor & Delivery, Mother Baby, Acute Rehabilitation Services, Pre/Post Operative, and Emergency Department.

Most patient care/medical related college/university programs require or suggest volunteer or community service hours. This volunteer program is designed for those interested in any patient care field (pre-med, physician assistant, nursing, radiology, physical therapy, social services, dietician, etc.) that wish to obtain hospital volunteer/community service hours.

For more information on the Hoag Health Scholar Volunteer Program, please call Hoag’s Health Scholar Volunteer Office (949) 764-5740, Volunteer Office Newport Beach (949) 764-8264, or Volunteer Office Irvine (949) 517-3152

Overview

Hoag’s Jr. Auxiliary/Candystriper volunteer program is full. Please check back January 2027, for an update on when we will be taking interest again.

Hoag’s Jr. Auxiliary/Candystriper volunteer program consists of local students ages 16-18 who volunteer their time to assist patients, visitors, staff and the hospital.

As minors, Jr. Auxiliary volunteers are limited to certain duties and areas. Jr. Auxiliary volunteers serve main floor areas like lobby greeters and escort, gift store, and cancer center infusion.

Please Note: We do not offer summer, short-term, episodic, hands-on patient care, shadowing or observation opportunities through the high school student volunteer program at Hoag Hospital.

Questions about our valued high school volunteer program can be directed to the Volunteer Office Newport Beach (949) 764-8264 or Volunteer Office Irvine (949) 517-3152

Pet Therapy dogs and volunteers are certified or registered with a hospital approved agency, such as Pet Partners, Orange County Animal Allies, or Alliance of Therapy Dogs International.

Volunteers engage with visitors, staff, and specified patients on approved nursing units, main lobbies, and designated waiting areas to spread cheer.

Dogs must satisfy all criteria established by the certifying or registering agency for an acute care hospital, including demonstrating calm behavior and refraining from licking, barking, nipping, or jumping. Testing and competency requirements must be met prior to access to nursing units.

Questions about our pet therapy volunteer program can be directed to the Volunteer Office Newport Beach 949-764-8264 or Volunteer Office Irvine 949-517-3152