Giving Back in a Meaningful Way

There are many ways to support the patients, staff, and overall mission of Catholic Health. St. Charles Hospital Volunteers are compassionate, caring people who help provide a positive hospital experience for patients and their families. They serve in a number of capacities including assisting in clinical departments or at the Gift Shop, Nursing Rehab Center, Outpatient Rehab Clinics or other services. From a welcoming voice to a friendly face giving directions, volunteers help make St. Catherine Hospital a warmer, more caring place.

Steps to Volunteering

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we have limited positions and availability. We encourage you to submit an application and we will reach out to you if your interests and availability match our needs. Thank you for your understanding.

To volunteer, you need to be 15 years of age or older and able to commit at least 3-4 hours per week for a minimum of six months. Positions are available seven days a week with a variety of shifts. We try to match volunteers with opportunities based on their interests, talents and availability. But assignments change often and not every position is always open.

We welcome high school and college students during their summer break. It is a great opportunity to gain insight into a medical setting. Summer program volunteering spans from mid-May/early June until mid-to end of August. Spots are limited and fill quickly. We recommend applying no later than mid-spring in order to be considered. All positions require students to be professional and mature, able to work with other volunteers and staff, and provide great customer service.

Our volunteer application consists of:

  1. Application
  2. Reference check form
  3. Background check authorization
  4. Parental consent for those under 18
  5. Pre-placement physical (additional vaccine documents are required)

If you are selected to be a volunteer after a phone/Zoom interview, it typically takes 4-6 weeks to complete all necessary requirements before your first day. This length of time is not part of the 8-10 weeks of the summer volunteering.

 

We review applications based on interests and availability with our current openings. We will contact you for an interview if there is a match. We like to accommodate all applicants but may not be able to accept everyone. We will make every effort to place you as positions become available.

Please be sure to list if you are volunteering for a school requirement.

The interest interview, which takes about 20 minutes, is an opportunity for us to meet you and learn more about your interests. It is also an opportunity to learn about our different volunteer opportunities to see if we can make a match.

Once you are accepted as a volunteer:

Health information

  • Tuberculosis test. We will accept proof of test with negative reading if performed within the last year.
  • Proof of vaccinations. Young adults can request a document with immunizations from their pediatrician (for those born after 1/31/1957) that includes Varicella (chickenpox), Rubella (German Measles), and Mumps or agree to get the listed vaccinations.
  • Proof of Influenza (flu) vaccine during the flu season (usually August through March) and proof of COVID-19 vaccine.

Background check

  • You will be required to complete a criminal background check.
  • You will need a health care clearance by Employee Health if you are cleared from the background check.

Volunteer Badge

Once you have been cleared by Employee Health, you will provide a clean headshot sent by email to Tasha.Felix-Jerome@chsli.org. A badge can then be made for you.

 

Uniform

All volunteers will be required to wear their badge and a polo or smock jacket. Comfortable sneakers and khaki or black pants or clean jeans can be worn.

 

After these steps have been taken and you have been cleared to volunteer, the Volunteer Department will work with you to select your assignment and schedule your first day and training.

All volunteers will be invited to a Zoom call for Basic Orientation. Additional training will be set up for those volunteers assigned to the Emergency Department.

Apply to Volunteer

Request an Application

Tasha Felix-Jerome, Volunteer Services
200 Belle Terre Road
Port Jefferson, NY 11777