Volunteering opportunities at San Diego Health

We encourage you to become a volunteer at UC San Diego Health. Our volunteers play an integral role in assisting our staff in their patient care activities to support the San Diego community.

Many of our volunteers say their experiences at UC San Diego Health have been highly rewarding, personally fulfilling, and sometimes, life-changing.

Apply to Volunteer at UC San Diego Health

If you are considering applying to be a UC San Diego Health volunteer, ​you will need to:

• Be at least age 16 and older

• Be available to start immediately

• Commit to a 4-hour shift, once a week for a minimum 100 hour commitment over a 6 to 8 month period.

What roles do volunteers perform at UC San Diego Health?

Volunteers support patients and staff in clinical care areas with tasks such as helping with patient transport, errands, stocking, cleaning, lab deliveries and visiting with patients. Other duties can include greeting patients and families, answering visitor questions and helping with wayfinding.

How are volunteers selected?

Applications are screened individually and require two professional/educational reference responses that are not from friends or family members. Volunteers are not selected on a first-come, first-served basis. Specifically, we would like to know your availability, your motivation for volunteering, the qualities you have that you think will enhance our program, and the areas of UC San Diego Health that interest you.

Are there any medical requirements for volunteering?

Yes, you must meet several medical requirements to volunteer at UC San Diego Health. You will need to provide the following documents:

• Proof of immunity to measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (chicken pox)

• Proof of a flu vaccination annually during flu season

• A record of one COVID-19 vaccination

• Clearance for tuberculosis (TB) — if you are accepted into the program, UC San Diego Health will provide that screening

Where are volunteers placed?

Volunteers may be placed at one of our hospitals or clinics in San Diego County, depending on available volunteer opportunities.

Can I shadow physicians and other care providers as a volunteer?

No, shadowing is not part of our volunteer program.

May I volunteer if I am not a U.S. Citizen?

Certain visa classifications may not be eligible for participation in the volunteer program because of government restrictions. Contact Volunteer Services at [email protected] for more information.

Interested? Apply now at San Diego Health and for more information, click here. If this opportunity helps you and you would like to see more opportunities like this, email me an [email protected] and I’ll try my best! Share this with your friends!