Volunteer at UK HealthCare

When you volunteer at UK HealthCare, you'll know you're helping people who really need you. Our volunteers say that the time they give at UK HealthCare is an invaluable experience and that the appreciation of the people they help is the greatest reward.  

We also like to recognize our volunteers for all the hard work they do. Our volunteers receive: 

• Special celebrations throughout the year.
• Group outings, including trips to Keeneland and other historic places across Kentucky.  
• Free LexTran fare with your UK volunteer ID badge.
• Discounts on meals in our cafeterias and cafe areas.

Thank you for your interest in becoming a volunteer at UK HealthCare! Volunteers help across the healthcare campus, including UK Chandler and UK Good Samaritan information desks, surgery waiting rooms, gift shops and ambulatory clinics. We also have Child Life opportunities available in the Kentucky Children's Hospital.

Our application process consists of the following: 

• Completed application packet
• In-person interview
• Background check/drug screening is required for every adult over 18 (not required for teens)
• Medical screens (including TB risk assessment and blood test; proof of immunity to MMR, Varicella, and Tdap; and flu shot during flu season).

COVID Vaccine Statement: As of August 1st, 2023 UK HealthCare is not mandating the COVID vaccine for volunteers.

UK HealthCare does not accept volunteers requiring court-ordered community service hours.

Our volunteer program is unable to offer externships, internships, job shadowing, drop-in assignments, etc.

Volunteering at UK HealthCare does not lead to employment within the University of Kentucky system.

Applications for the 2024 Summer Teen Volunteer Program are now closed. Information for next year's summer program will be released in February 2025. 

Thank you for your interest in becoming a volunteer at UK HealthCare!  We are glad that you have decided to spend your time with us and below you will find additional information as you begin the process.

PLEASE KEEP THE FOLLOWING IN MIND: You will be expected to volunteer for a minimum of 2 hours weekly through Friday, May 9th including “Dead Week.”  When considering volunteering with us, look closely at your schedule to ensure you have enough time to commit to a weekly shift.  Studying for an exam or working on a project does NOT excuse you from your volunteer shift and it is your responsibility to plan accordingly. 

Examples of volunteer placement areas we have: Surgery Waiting Room, Gift Shop, Mail & Flower Delivery, Histology Lab, Oral Pathology, Integrative Medicine etc.  Placements within Kentucky Children’s Hospital are incredibly limited, and are reserved for those majoring in Family/Child Studies.  We will discuss specific opportunities in more detail during the interview.

Feel free to reach out should you have any questions. I look forward to meeting with you soon!

Jason Brun

UKHC Volunteer Coordinator

Jason.Brun@uky.edu

859-323-5796

Step 1: Complete the survey to set up an interview: https://uky.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cTl00dHMkpy2Vng

Interviews will be held Monday, January 6th – Wednesday, January 22nd and scheduled on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Please allow at least 45 minutes for your appointment.  You will be emailed confirmation of your interview date and time, and receive a link to the online application packet, by Friday, December 20th. 

Step 2: Review and complete the entire Application Packet no later than 4pm the day before your interview, which consists of:

• Volunteer Application
• HIPAA information and exam
• Volunteer Handbook and exam

Also, locate a copy of your immunization records.  You will need to provide proof of MMR (2 shots and/or proof of disease), Varicella/Chickenpox (2 shots and/or proof of disease), and Tdap (1 shot). The flu shot is also required. The Covid vaccine is optional, but if you did receive it, you can provide that documentation at your medical screening appointment. If you think you have had the vaccines but cannot find the records, Health Services will draw titers for you.

Step 3: Interview time! Bring your availability for the Spring semester (this would include class/work schedule/other commitments).  We will discuss your application, available openings and your specific volunteer interests.  Following the interview, your information will be sent to HR to start the screening process (background check, drug/medical screenings).

Step 4: After HR confirms that all screenings were passed, we will reach out to you to send over the records from your medical screening appointment.

Step 5: Onboarding appointments will be scheduled beginning the week of January 20th. At this appointment, you’ll watch an orientation video, pay your $5 shirt fee, and receive your final schedule/ID badge/polo shirt. They are typically no more than 30 minutes.

Step 6: You will complete any additional training and begin your first shift! Ideally, all students will be ready to start volunteering by the week of February 3rd. The complete onboarding process will be between 3-5 weeks.

Our adult volunteer application is currently closed and we are not accepting new applicants at this time. We are currently in the hiring process for a new Volunteer Coordinator. We expect to welcome new volunteers again in February 2025. If you are interested in being notified when the application is open, please complete this survey. 

Another opportunity to serve in our hospital is with the Ronald McDonald Family Room! For more information on the RMFR and/or to sign up for an interview time, please click here: https://form.jotform.com/241825020663147.

We will be scheduling more orientation dates for 2025!

The following items are things that patients will frequently request from our office. All donations should be brand new and not marked with any political/religious affiliations. Donations can be dropped off during normal business hours to Volunteer Services between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We are located at 1000 South Limestone, Lexington, KY 40536. 

• Activity books (puzzles, crosswords, seek and finds, Sudoku, etc.)
• Coloring books
• Writing utensils (pens, pencils, colored pencils, crayons)
• Small, compact games (such as decks of cards)
• Brand new underwear (men and women, all sizes)
• Sweatshirts, and sweatpants/yoga pants/pajama pants (men and women, sizes S, M, L, XL, XXL; maternity wear also appreciated)

The Ronald McDonald Family Room began welcoming guests in 2009 inside the walls of Kentucky Children’s Hospital in Lexington, KY.  The Family Room provides a comforting and quiet area of respite, relaxation and reflection for families and loved ones of children who are being treated in the critical care units (NICU, PICU) of the hospital. The Ronald McDonald Family Room, open from 9 a.m to 4:30 p.m, seven days a week, is staffed with helpful specially trained and screened volunteers. 

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer with the Ronald McDonald Family Room, please visit their website for more details. To sign up for an interview time, please click here: https://form.jotform.com/241825020663147.

We do accept donations for the Ronald McDonald Family Room. Details regarding items needed and how to to donate are below: