A representative from the Volunteer Services Department will help you determine which area of service is the best match for your individual skills and interests. With over 400 different assignments available, there's sure to be one you'll find fulfilling.

Cedars-Sinai Volunteers serve throughout the Medical Center, including in nursing units, the new Saperstein Critical Care Tower and the Helping Hand Gift Shop. Volunteers also work in specialized areas, such as cardiology, gastrointestinal, maternity, pediatrics, surgery and the Chaplaincy Department. A few of the many services our volunteers perform include:

• Providing patients and their families with companionship.
• Distributing donated magazines to patients, families and visitors.
• Helping patients fill out their menus and assisting them during mealtimes.
• Staffing the information desks.
• Escorting surgery patients arriving at the Medical Center and serving as liaison to the Surgical Recovery Rooms.
• Providing clerical and administrative support by performing light computer work, filing, answering phones, making copies, etc.
• Participating in the POOCH (Pets Offer Ongoing Caring and Healing) program where volunteers and their dogs assist in the healing process. A screening/evaluation is required prior to participation in this program.

We need volunteers to help work in the new Saperstein Critical Care Tower, a 250,000-square-foot, eight-story building that contains 96 intensive care unit beds and 30 acute care beds.

The basic requirements for information desk volunteers at the Saperstein Critical Care Tower:

• An outgoing person who likes to help people in crisis-sensitive situations
• Able to provide a friendly greeting to patients, families and physicians in a new modern and spacious waiting room
• Able to volunteer for a four-hour shift once a week (morning, afternoon or evening shifts)
• Demonstrates basic computer skills
• Demonstrates good judgment and can manage situations appropriately

If you are interested please call the Volunteer Services Department at (310) 423-8044.

The Helping Hand Gift Shop at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center carries a wide array of items including: jewelry and accessories, handbags, men's and women's sleep wear and slippers, children's clothing and toys, flowers and balloons, books, magazines and stationery, basic toiletries, cards, candy and elegant giftware.

The volunteers who give their time in the Gift Shop deliver newspapers, flowers, and any other items needed by patients, visitors, or employees in the Medical Center. They also wrap gifts and serve as sales personnel and take orders for deliveries. Volunteers must be able to stand for long periods of time and must have strong interpersonal and customer service skills. The Helping Hand Gift Shop profits go to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

All volunteers in this program must follow the same procedures as General Adult Volunteers.

For more information, please call Volunteer Services at (310) 423-5231.