Volunteer Your Time

Welcome to SEMC Volunteer Services! 

Volunteers at St. Elizabeth's are among our most precious resources. Without them, we would find it difficult, if not impossible, to fulfill our mission of "serving the physical and spiritual needs of our community by delivering the highest-quality care with compassion and respect." St. Elizabeth's is proud to be the Boston-based flagship of Caritas Christi, the largest community hospital system in Massachusetts. Please check out our Volunteer Opportunity Directory for an overview of our administrative, patient contact, and research openings to see what position(s) may be the right fit for your unique skills and gifts. If you think we might be missing an opportunity you'd be interested in pursuing as a volunteer, please let us know in your application! We're always eager to hear new suggestions for ways to involve volunteers with our patients and staff.

Important Points to Consider:

• St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center is required by state and federal health regulations to document varicella (chickenpox), Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR), and tuberculosis medical histories for incoming volunteers through our Employee Health Services department (EHS). Immunization records can be submitted for both chickenpox and MMR - if you were never immunized for any reason you will simply need a blood test to confirm antibody levels. Tuberculosis PPD skin testing is also needed to verify a person's TB status. Prior PPD skin test results performed within the past 12 months will be accepted by Employee Health; any persons testing positive on the PPD will need a chest x-ray or Quantiferon blood test to confirm their health status. Prospective volunteers requiring any testing can contact Volunteer Services at aaron.lemmon@caritaschristi.org or 617-789-2334 to schedule a no-cost appointment with EHS (time slots are available 7 AM through 3:30 PM Monday through Friday). Anyone submitting immunization or testing records can fax their documentation directly to Volunteer Services at 617-789-3007. If you prefer, you may fulfill the health clearance requirements through your primary care physician and fax your supporting documentation to Volunteer Services at 617-789-3007. Please be aware that any external testing/immunization expenses not covered by health insurance will be the responsibility of the applicant and not reimbursed through Volunteer Services or St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center. 

• We have no service restrictions for volunteers who are at least 18 years old but our junior volunteer program for students ages 14 to 17 is only offered during the summer. The deadline for our most recent Junior Volunteer Summer Program has passed but we hope you'll consider applying for our 2011 program - we will begin accepting new applications on May 1st.

Becoming a volunteer at St. E’s is a straightforward process designed to ensure that all volunteers are oriented to hospital and Volunteer Services policies. The interval between submitting an application and being cleared for service is typically two to three weeks.

Step One:
The first step in becoming a St. E's volunteer is to complete the online Volunteer Application Form. Your application affirms to Volunteer Services your understanding that you cannot receive an ID badge or reserve shifts on our assignment calendar until the steps detailed below are complete and Volunteer Services has received an email notification confirming your health clearance status from Employee Health Services.

Step Two:
Once Volunteer Services has received and reviewed your application, we will contact you (preferably via email) to schedule a weekday afternoon telephone interview. If you prefer, you may request an in-person interview, subject to availability. During your interview, we will discuss your areas of interest, confirm your available schedule, and take a look at our current openings. Our initial email to you will also contain an attachment listing the specific documentation needed to fulfill the health clearance requirement.

By the conclusion of the interview, if both parties agree to move forward with your application, you will:

• Determine the best assignments for your available hours and unique skills/gifts
• Reserve a seat at an upcoming orientation session (each orientation is limited to 12 applicants) 
• Schedule a health clearance appointment with Employee Health Services, if needed
• Estimate your start date based on health clearance and orientation time frames 
• Clarify/resolve any potential issues related to your volunteer service

Step Three:
Attend an orientation session (currently offered every 1st Wednesday and 3rd Thursday from 4:15 pm to 6:30 pm) and any other assignment-specific training as required. Please be punctual - orientation doors close promptly at 4:15 pm in order to ensure that all necessary information is covered during the allotted time period and any late arrivals will need to attend another session date. Please allow for late afternoon traffic conditions when traveling to St. E's for orientation. Attendees must bring a photo ID to orientation in order to complete the required CORI background check form. Junior volunteers who do not yet have a driver's license, passport, or school/workplace photo ID card will need to present alternative documentation such as a birth certificate or social security card.

After your interview, health clearance, orientation session & background check requirements have been completed Volunteer Services will contact you to confirm your start date and issue you a volunteer ID badge.

We look forward to meeting with you to tell you more about volunteer opportunities at St. Elizabeth’s. Please do not hesitate to contact Volunteer Services at aaron.lemmon@caritaschristi.org or 617-789-2334 with any questions, comments or suggestions.

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