Volunteer Opportunities
Below is a sampling of ways to become involved with Providence ministries in Eastern Washington, including the Children's Hospital (CH), Holy Family Hospital (HF), Sacred Heart Medical Center (SH), St. Joseph's Hospital (SJ), and St. Luke's Rehabilitation Medical Center (SL).
Art and Music Services
Arts in Healing Program (CH) | Patients who engage in creative arts enjoy reduced stress, need less pain medication, have shorter hospital stays and heal faster. Arts in Healing provides an outlet for communication and expression while focusing on wellness and well-being - physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Elements of this program includes dance/movement, drama, music, poetry/journaling and the visual arts. To learn more about this program, click HERE. Shifts: Flexible scheduling Monday - Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Status: LIMITED
Music and Memory (SJ) | Volunteers support the patient through the creationg of personalized music and memory playlists. Shifts: TBD Status: OPEN
Musicians (SH/SJ) | Musicians promote a healing environment for patients, staff, and visitors. Roles vary by campus. At Sacred Heart, musicians play a grand piano, or their personal instruments, in the main lobby of the medical center. At St. Joseph's, volunteers offer the gift of performing arts, such as singing or playing an instrument, to an audiance or 1:1 with patients. An audition may be required. Shifts: Daily, flexible scheduling. Status: OPEN
Project: Music Heals Us (HF/SL) | Thanks to Project: Music Heals Us, a national non-profit that brings healing to marginalized and isolated communities - from correctional facilities to hospitals to refuge campus - we're able to offer one-on-one concerts via video livestream to hospitalized patients. Volunteers are needed to facilitate concerts between patients and musicians. Shifts: Varies. Status: LIMITED
Community Clinic (downtown Spokane)
Opened in 1976, the Providence Community Clinic (formerly the House of Charity Clinic), was the first free medical clinic in the State of Washington. Today a team of caregivers, including volunteer nurses and providers, continue to provide medical care to some of the most underserved patients in our community. To learn more about the depth and breadth of services provided, click HERE to watch a short video (it's worth a few minutes!). If you are a licensed nurse or provider and interested in volunteering with this incredible team, please complete a Volunteer Application via this website. The clinic is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
Nurse (LPN/RN) | Three roles to choose from, including one non-clinical position, which involves stocking, front desk assistance, and patient support/advocacy. The clinical roles include assisting providers, taking vital signs, administering screenings, and more. Clinical nurses may serve in the clinic and/or at homeless outreach sites within the community. Requirements of the clinical roles include strong electronic medical record skills, preferrably EPIC, and an active or active retired license with the WA State Department of Health. Shifts: Weekdays; varies by role. Status: OPEN
Provider (ARNP/DO/MD) | Under supervision of the medical director, volunteer providers treat a variety of conditions, from infections to minor injuries, and wellness exams to vaccinations. An active or active retired license with the WA State Department of Health is required. Providers may serve in the clinic and/or at homeless outreach sites within the community. Shifts: Weekdays; flexible scheduling. Status: OPEN
ElderPlace (Holy Family - north Spokane)
Providence ElderPlace provides a secure, caring environment where elderly and impaired adults receive rehabilitation services, nursing care, and the opportunity to socialize. Volunteers provide dog visits, assist during meal time and afternoon activities, and bring their own gifts and talents to share too - from MUSIC and ART to VIRTUAL/PHONE VISITS to YOGA. Other ideas always welcome! Must have an active Food Worker Card through the Washington State Department of Health to assist during meals. Dogs and their handlers must be certified with Pet Partners. Shifts: Varies by role; weekdays between 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Status: OPEN
Emergency Services
Emergency Center (HF)* | Our busy emergency care team provides immediate high-level care, from sports injuries to heart attacks. Volunteers assist staff with patient intake, provide wheelchair transportation for patients and help with general cleaning and stocking tasks. Shifts: Daily 3-hour shifts between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m. Status: OPEN
Emergency Department (SH)* | As a Level II Trauma Center, a Level 1 Cardiac Center and a regional stroke leader, our emergency department is a busy place. Volunteers assist staff with patient intake, provide wheelchair transportation for patients and help with general cleaning and stocking. Shifts: Daily 3-hour shifts between 9 a.m. and 12 a.m. Status: OPEN
Pediatric Emergency Department (CH)* | Our pediatric emergency care teams are here to provide high-level care. Volunteers assist staff with patient intake, provide wheelchair transportation for patients and help with general cleaning and stocking tasks. Shifts: Daily 3-hour shifts between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. Status: FULL
Gift and Flower Shop (Sacred Heart - downtown Spokane)
Volunteer in one of the best boutique gift shops in Spokane at The Gift Shop @ Sacred Heart with unique gifts and a full-service flower shop. It's retail therapy! Shifts: Weekday 3.5-hour shifts between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Status: OPEN
Hospital Services (St. Joseph's - Chewelah)
Activity Support | Two non-patient facing roles to choose from! In one role, volunteers help maintain the patient environment by cleaning, organizing, and decorating for the seasons. In the other role, volunteers help maintain activity resources, which includes organizing, collecting, replenishing, distributing, and disinfecting supplies. Shifts: TBD (weekdays). Status: OPEN
Clinical Education "Model" | Work with the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program students and instructor, to help students practice non-invasive clinical skills, such as vitals, mechanical transfers, foot care, etc. Shifts: TBD. Status: OPEN
Guild | Members meet 4 - 6 times per year and host two annual fundraising events to meet local needs, such as scholarship opportunities and hospital equipment purchases. Guild members may also serve in other volunteer roles. Shifts: N/A. Status: OPEN
Medical Park (Spokane Valley)
Providence Medical Park features a same-day surgery center and access to primary, speciality, and urgent care. Volunteers assist patients and families navigate the campus and run errands for staff. Shifts: Weekday 4-hour shifts between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.; flexible scheduling. Status: OPEN
Patient and Family Adult Services
Day Surgery (SH) | Be part of a fun team in a busy surgical environment! Volunteers transport patients by wheelchair, provide comfort items to patients and their families and help prep stretchers for surgery. Shifts: Weekday 3- to 4-hour shifts between 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Status: LIMITED
Family Maternity Center (HF) | Volunteers assist the labor and delivery team with daily tasks such as rounding for patient comfort, restocking supplies and occassionally with infant care when parents are unable. Shifts: Daily 3-hour shifts between 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Status: LIMITED
Food & Nutrition (HF/SH*) | Assist our busy kitchen team with nutritional meal prep and delivery to patients. Must have an active Food Worker Card through the Washington State Department of Health. Minimum age: 16+ (HF) or 18+ (SH). Shifts: Daily 3-hour shifts between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. (HF) or 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. (SH) Status: OPEN
Horticulture Program (SJ) | Support patient participation in the Activity Horticultural Program. Shifts: TBD (weekdays) Status: OPEN
Mended HeartsÔ (SH) | Volunteers are cardiac patients or caregivers who serve as peer mentors for patients and families through in-hospital visting and delivering Bravery Bags. To learn more about joining this program, including opportunities beyond the hospital walls, please visit Mended HeartsÔ of Spokane. Shifts: Varies. Status: OPEN
Mobility Program (HF/SH) | Under the direction of nursing and rehabilitation teams on several inpatient units, mobility volunteers encourage and support patients in improving their health and function through mobilization activities. Shifts: Daily 2- to 3-hour shifts from morning through early evening. Status: OPEN
Memory Work Program (SH) | Under the direction of recreational therapy and nursing teams on several inpatient units, memory work volunteers will lead activities that encourage thinking, concentration, communication, and memory retention/recall in patients over the age of 65 and/or patients with mild to moderate dementia. In doing so, volunteers will help to improve the patients' self-esteem and provide them with a sense of fulfillment and comfort, as they look back on their lives. Shifts: Daily 3-hour shifts. Status: OPEN
Nursing Units (HF) | Volunteers serve on several busy units by assisting nursing staff with a variety of activities, from meeting non-clinical patient needs through rounding to general cleaning and stocking tasks. Shifts: Weekday afternoons. Status: OPEN
Patient Activities (HF/SH/SJ/SL) | Bring your own gifts and interests to this role! Elements of the program may include - but are not limited to - conversation/companionship, games/activities, and arts/crafts. Engaging in activities aide the healing process, combat boredom, increase feelings of hope, and give patients a sense of self-empowerment. Some of these services are supplied by donations to Holy Family, donations to Sacred Heart, and through Providence Inland Northwest Foundation grants. Shifts: Daily, varies by location, flexible scheduling. Status: OPEN
Patient Companion (SJ) | Several roles to fill! Support patients with a variety of indoor and/or outdoor activites, from simply visiting with patients to more complex activites, and/or transporting patients by wheelchair. Role depends on volunteer comfort, skills, and experience. Shifts: TBD (weekdays) Status: OPEN
Patient Transport (SH) | Volunteers are part of a busy transport team, running errands for units throughout the medical center and assisting with patient admissions, discharges and unit-to-unit transports. Also a great placement for pre-imaging students as it provides occassional opportunities to observe procedures in radiology, sonography and/or nuclear medicine. Shifts: Weekday 3-hour shifts between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. and weekend 3-hour shifts between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Status: OPEN
Spa Services (SJ) | Volunteers provide basic hand, nail, skin, and/or hair care, which may include the application of nail polish or cosmetics. Shifts: TBD. Status: OPEN
Surgery Center (HF) | The Surgery Center at Holy Family offers state-of-the-art technology, innovative treatment options and a highly trained surgical staff. Volunteers assist staff in this busy unit in several roles, including checking-in patients and escorting or transporting patients to their procedure or hospital room. Shifts: Monday - Friday, 3- to 4-hour shifts (vary by role), between 5 a.m. and 5 p.m. Status: OPEN
Patient and Family Pediatric Services (Children's Hospital - downtown Spokane)
Andrew Rypien School | Working closely with community partners and school districts, volunteers help patients (K-12) stay connected to learning and curiousity through tutoring, homework assistance and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) activities. Shifts: Weekdays between 1 - 3 p.m. Status: FULL
Birth Place | Volunteers serve in a variety of roles, including assisting at the front desk by warmly welcoming families and visitors to the unit, or assisting labor and delivery staff with daily tasks such as asnwering call lights and stocking patient rooms. Shifts: Flexible and varies by role, but includes daily 3-hour shifts between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Status: OPEN
Children's Clubhouse | Volunteers supervise and play with children ages 3 and older in a fun, nurturing space while their sibling or other family member receives medical care. Shifts: Weekday 3-hour shifts starting at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Status: OPEN
Forget-Me-Not Photography (CH/HF)* | Through this incredibly meaningful program, skilled volunteer photographers - hobbyists and professionals - capture special moments for parents experiencing the loss of an infant. Sessions take place in the hospital, at Holy Family or Sacred Heart. Volunteers are on-call and serve as they are able. If you'd like to learn more before completing an application, please call or email Volunteer Services. Shifts: On-call, as available. Status: OPEN
NICU* | Nannies support families and staff by comforting and nurturing medically fragile infants, including those showing symptoms of withdrawal from exposure to narcotics. For the complete position description, click HERE. Shifts: Daily 2-hour shifts 24/7. Status: FULL
Maxillofacial Program | The Maxillofacial Program works with hundreds of children each year with cleft lip, cleft palate and related conditions. Volunteers assist the program coordinator in the office each week and once a month, they support a team of medical specialists by helping pediatric patients and their families navigate through their appointments. Shifts: Flexible, weekday 4-hour shifts, plus the third Wednesday of every month. Status: OPEN
Pediatric Units* | Volunteers bring a sense of normalcy to our young patients, whether it be by reading, playing or simply comforting. Shifts: Weekday 3-hour shifts between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Status: LIMITED
Technology and Gaming Volunteer* | Volunteers play and/or discuss games with patients, siblings, and families to increase socialization in a positive way. May also assist in the support and maintenance of videogame and entertainment devices. Shifts: Weekday 3- to 4-hour shifts between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Status: OPEN
Pet Visitation Program (CH/HF/SH/SJ)
Experience the benefit a dog visit brings to the health and well-being of hospitalized patients through this special program. Dogs and their handlers must be certified with Pet Partners. Don't have a dog? Volunteers at the ministries in Spokane are needed as escorts during hospital visits too! Shifts: Varies, 1.5-hour shifts, flexible scheduling. Status: OPEN
Rehabilitation Services
Providence St. Luke's Rehabilitation Medical Center is a fully accredited rehabilitation center and home to an expert team that integrates treatments, technology, and care to help patients of all ages achieve their goals following stroke, spinal cord injuries, orthopedic issues, and brain injuries. To learn more, click HERE to watch a brief video.
Cardiac and Pulmonary Services (SL) | Volunteers assist this busy multi-disciplinary team before, during and after classes for cardiac and pulmonary adult patients by transporting patients by wheelchair, cleaning equipment between each patient use and/or assisting with clerical tasks such as filing and data entry. Shifts: Mondays and Wednesdays from 1 - 4 p.m. and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Status: FULL
Patient Companion (SL) | A unique and valuable experience! Under the direction of multidisciplinary team of specialists, in the Traumatic Brain, Spinal Cord Injury and/or Stroke Units, volunteers support young adult to elderly patients with their recovery, through a variety of activities, from walking to listening to music, as well as simply being a companion to provide distraction and manage the environment. Shifts: Varies, with weekend scheduling preferable. Status: OPEN
Recreational Therapy (SL) | Team St. Luke's is a structured sports and recreation program for youth and adult participants with physical disabilities. Volunteers support staff and patients with activities on the main campus and out in the commutiy. Programs include basketball, outdoor recreation, strength and conditioning, and so much more! Shifts: Flexible, daily shifts between 9 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Status: FULL
Rehabilitation Clinic (HF/SL) | Volunteers assist occupational, physical, and/or speech therapists in the outpatient clinic at Holy Family, St. Luke's, or at one of the Occupational Therapy Clinics (downtown Spokane or Spokane Valley). The volunteer role includes greeting patients, ages 12+, and helping them start warm-up exercises, serving as a second assist during therapy interventions, cleaning rooms and equipment, and providing clerical support. Shifts: Varies by location; weekday shifts between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Status: LIMITED
Therapy Gyms (SL) | Volunteers assist therapists and aides in the stroke and/or tramatic brain injury inpatient gyms by transporting patients, setting up equipment and cleaning equipment between each patient use. This position is only open to college students planning to apply to an occupational therapy or physical therapy program. Shifts: Daily 3-hour shifts at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Status: LIMITED
Spiritual Care Services
Eucharistic Ministers (HF/SH) | Provides communion, as requested, to Catholic patients and their families. Shifts: Flexible 1-hour shifts, but days/times vary by campus. Status: OPEN
No One Dies Alone (SH)* | Compassionate Companion volunteers provide a comforting presence at the bedside of patients in their last hours of life, who have no family or friends to keep vigil. The program is housed at Sacred Heart, but volunteers serve at Holy Family and Sacred Heart. Shifts: N/A. Status: WAITLISTED- Add your name by clicking here.
Phone Companions (SJ) | Provide support calls to select patients after discharge. Patients are selected by perceived benefit of social phone calls to build a sense of connection and accountability as they transition back to home or skilled nursing. Designed to provide up to three follow-up calls following hospitalization. Shifts: TBD. Status: OPEN
*Must be at least 18 years old to apply.