Each year more than 8,000 volunteers contribute over one million hours of service to HHC facilities. The ways in which volunteers give of their time and talents are innumerable, and some even create special programs that utilize their own special skills and interests. As a bonus, volunteers often find that by giving service to others, they enrich their own lives in ways they had never expected.

What can I do at Coney Island Hospital as a volunteer?

Clerical Aide - Assist with most clerical duties in various departments and units
Duties include: Answering phone calls, taking messages, running errands, filing, light typing and/or paperwork.

Volunteer Nurse Assistant (VNA) - Adults Only
Duties include: Assisting nurses and staff with patient care on various units of the hospital. This includes making beds, feeding patients, taking vital signs and performing other duties related to patient care.  To become a VNA, you must attend and pass a specific training course.

Health Careers Exploration Program (HCEP) 
The program is available for high school students who are interested in the health care field. By taking various specialty courses taught by the hospital staff, our volunteers are able to see firsthand what many health occupations entail.  Successful applicants must have a cumulative average of 80 in their high school work.
Duties include: Taking courses that are being offered monthly, attending meetings as well as ceremonies and parties.

What are the requirements for being a volunteer?

• You must fill out the application in person. Please bring a pen and photo ID.
• If you are 14-17 years of age, you must obtain working papers from school.
• Time Commitment – Volunteers are required to give a minimum of 10 hours per month, but the number of days and hours are up to each volunteer.
• Medical Requirements – A physical exam must be completed on our form: immunization is required for tetanus, chicken pox, measles, and mumps and rubella shots. The medical form takes approximately a week to be approved. You will need to have this form filled out by your personal physician.
• Training – Attending Hospital Orientation is mandatory before you start volunteering.

Volunteers who require a written verification of service must first complete a minimum of 150 hours of service. We keep track of all volunteers’ hours; and a list of an individual’s hours may be requested at any time.

If you are interested in becoming a Volunteer, please contact our Volunteer Department during office hours.

Volunteer Department
Location: 9th Floor, Main Bldg, Room 904
Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Telephone: (718) 616-3161