Volunteer Opportunities at Houston Methodist Hospital

Houston Methodist Hospital at the Texas Medical Center welcomes volunteers who want to offer their time, talent, and dedication. Volunteers provide a valuable service to our hospital operations. There are a variety of volunteer roles to fit individual time commitments, schedules, abilities and interests. Volunteers may work directly with patients or choose to work behind-the-scenes, providing administrative or customer support.

Volunteer Descriptions

Classic Volunteers

Our classic volunteer program involves a commitment of either weekly four- hour shifts for a minimum of 3 months, or one weekly four-hour shift for a minimum of 6 months. Volunteers are placed in assignments based on both preferences and open hospital opportunities.

Caring Teen Volunteers

The Houston Methodist Hospital Caring Teen Volunteer Program provides community youth with opportunities for personal growth and development. Volunteers provide supplemental services in the hospital while gaining personal satisfaction, development, maturity, and the understanding of various health careers in preparation for their futures. Caring Teens serve others while making new friends, networking with medical professionals at a world-class hospital, developing self-esteem, and creating meaningful memories. Our patients’ lives are deepened through the energy and compassion of our Caring Teen volunteers.

Volunteer Assignment Opportunities

Assignment availability will vary and depend on both departmental needs and volunteer schedules.

Administrative Offices
Volunteers assist the office staff by answering phones, copying, running errands and performing other jobs and special job-related duties as requested.

Patient Services
Volunteers assist the nursing units by visiting patients and performing a variety of other tasks related to patient care.

Waiting/Family Room
Volunteers assist patients and family members in the waiting room by providing comfort items, assisting administrative staff, and other duties as assigned. Following surgery, volunteers accompany the family to receive the doctor's report and to visit the patient, as well as assist with organizing the unit’s records, emergency telephone numbers and other pertinent information.

Guest Express
Guest Express volunteers use golf carts to shuttle patients, visitors, and staff around the Houston Methodist Hospital campus. Our Guest Express volunteers make transportation easier for individuals navigating Houston Methodist Hospital and assist with wayfinding.

Emergency Department
Emergency room volunteers assist our nursing staff and our Emergency Department employees as needed with tasks such as greeting, stocking, and transporting.

Service Corps
Founded in 1947, Service Corps members provide a multitude of services for the hospital’s patients, families, and visitors in all areas. Currently, our Service Corps members manage our volunteer services library and assist in patient satisfaction activities and other assignments as needed.

Patient Liaison
Volunteers assist the department of Guest Relations and Service Quality with patient issues and facilitate communications of services to maximize patient and family satisfaction.

Gift Shop
Volunteers serve the hospital and its guests in a courteous and helpful manner while performing a variety of customer service duties. Volunteers interact with both staff and customers, they operate the cash register, and assist with pricing and stocking items, and gift wrapping.

Arts
Volunteers can assist with distributing art supplies to patients via our hospital “art carts”. These volunteers allow patients and visitors to feel more comfort during their stay at Houston Methodist Hospital.

Music
Music volunteers express compassion and provide comfort to patients, visitors, and staff through their musical talents. Music volunteers are selected through a specialized program on an as needed basis.

Pet Visitation
Regular visits with therapy pets and their volunteer owners can provide stimulation for conversation in mental health counseling or encourage interest in physical therapy. Therapy dogs at Houston Methodist Hospital are certified through Faithful Paws and Paws for Therapy.

Sewing
Sewing item donations are accepted on an as needed basis. Items such as wheelchair blankets, beanies, and pillows are regularly accepted to help our patients and visitors feel more comfortable during their stay at Houston Methodist Hospital.

Volunteer Programs

iPad Education Program
Each inpatient room at HMH is equipped with a MyMethodist bedside tablet that contains various resources ranging from communication to entertainment with the goal of making patient stays as comfortable as possible. Volunteers in this program assist units with educating patients on how to use the MyMethodist bedside tablet in support of enhancing the patient experience at Houston Methodist Hospital. For additional information, please contact Lindsey Perryman at lperryman@houstonmethodist.org

Patient Satisfaction Rounding Program
In partnership with the Guest Relations Department, volunteers in the Patient Satisfaction Rounding Program play an important role in communicating with patients and their families on their care experience at Houston Methodist Hospital. In this program, volunteers have the opportunity to gain experience in using rounding software, interacting with patients and their visitors/families, working directly with staff and improving the patient experience. For additional information, please contact Lindsey Perryman at lperryman@houstonmethodist.org

Team CLARITY
Team CLARITY, one of our more sought-after programs, is a fall prevention program that utilizes volunteers to deliver critical patient education to prevent falls and the development of hospital-acquired delirium, while also focusing on improving patient satisfaction. Through brief visits, volunteers are tasked with speaking to patients over the age of 65 one-on-one, developing rapport, educating them on the importance of staying alert during their hospital stay and utilizing the nurses to move around. Team CLARITY volunteers will gain experience using rounding software to submit data on patients. Due to the nature of these patient interactions and the value these volunteers have on patient safety, we require an additional application (short essay and resume submission). We are looking for mature, well-articulated individuals to demonstrate consistency in their volunteer assignment. Note: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and acceptance is subject to program capacity. For additional information, please contact Vanessa Parejo at vparejo@houstonmethodist.org.

Our current Team CLARITY volunteers have unanimously found their experience meaningful and overall rated the program 4.55 out of 5. Below, you will find testimonials from past and current Team CLARITY volunteers.

"I have been volunteering with Team Clarity for several months now, and it has come to be one of my favorite parts of my week. I really enjoy meeting new patients and hospital staff, keeping patients safe, and keeping patients company. I am honored to be a part of a program that has had such a profound impact on the health of our Houston Methodist patients."                                                                                                                                                                                                     – Karina Moreno

"My favorite part of being on Team Clarity is seeing the face of a patient who proudly proclaims, “I will be going home today!” It is welcome reminder of the role that I played in keeping the patient safe and motivates me to serve all patients to the best of my abilities.”
                                                                                                                                                          – Craig Thomas

"Being a Team CLARITY volunteer, having one on one conversations with patients is definitely my favorite part. Even just for a few minutes, knowing that my company makes them feel better is the best feeling in the world.”
                                                                                                                                                                     – Uyen Le