{"id":10997,"date":"2024-06-18T11:28:16","date_gmt":"2024-06-18T18:28:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dhs.lacounty.gov\/lageneral\/?page_id=10997"},"modified":"2025-03-04T08:54:21","modified_gmt":"2025-03-04T16:54:21","slug":"volunteer-services","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dhs.lacounty.gov\/lageneral\/who-we-are\/volunteer-services\/","title":{"rendered":"Volunteer Services"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Our Mission<\/h2><\/div><\/div>[vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

The mission of the Volunteers Department is to enrich the patient experience and support the healing environment by providing compassionate, dedicated, and reliable volunteer services. We strive to enhance the quality of care and promote the well-being of patients, families, and staff through meaningful engagement, assistance, and support. Our volunteers embody the values of empathy, respect, compassion and integrity as they contribute their time and talents to positively impact the lives of those we serve. Together, we create a nurturing community of care where every individual feels valued, supported, and uplifted, while contributing to the world class care and education provided at Los Angeles General Medical Center.<\/p>\n

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Volunteering at Los Angeles General Medical Center<\/h2><\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=””]Welcome to Volunteer Services at Los Angeles General Medical Center! As a distinguished academic medical institution, our foremost commitment is to provide exceptional, patient-centered care. We’re thrilled to extend our warmest invitation to individuals interested in joining our team as volunteers. Your support is invaluable, spanning across more than 100 diverse departments throughout the main hospital, clinics, and our expansive campus.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”11007″ img_size=”large” css=””][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
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Prospective Volunteers<\/h2><\/div><\/div>[vc_empty_space][vc_column_text css=””]We\u2019re excited you want to support our patients, families, and staff by volunteering at Los Angeles General Medical Center! Please read the information below carefully to ensure that volunteering at LA General will be a good fit for your interests.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text css=””]Age<\/strong>-The minimum age to volunteer in any role at LA General is 16 years old.<\/p>\n

Time Commitment<\/strong>– Adults are expected to complete 200 hours, committing to at least one 4-hour shift weekly minimum. Junior volunteers (summer months only) have a 100-hour commitment, involving two 5-hour shifts per week minimum [no weekends]. Successful completion of the program necessitates fulfilling these hours, to receive documentation of participation. Partial credit is not available.<\/p>\n

Purpose<\/strong>-Volunteers should only apply to participate in the program for humanitarian reasons. Volunteering at LA General does not fulfill clinical hours needed for school applications. *Volunteers do not shadow staff, witness, or provide clinical services (intern\/externship), or participate in research lab positions.<\/p>\n

*Volunteers who complete clearance and receive their county issued ID badge must check in and start their volunteer service no later than one week from receiving their badge.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

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Onboarding<\/h2><\/div><\/div>[vc_empty_space][vc_column_text css=””]1. Must complete LA General Volunteer Application<\/a>
\n2. Successfully pass an entrance interview with a Volunteers Coordinator
\n3. Submit a Letter of Recommendation (details in FAQ section)
\n4. Complete Employee Health Clearance (details in FAQ section)
\n5. Complete Human Resource Background Check (details in FAQ section)
\n6. Complete Volunteer orientation after Employee Health & HR clearance<\/p>\n

Volunteers will only be placed into specific roles once they\u2019ve completed all onboarding steps.<\/p>\n

We take great care to match a volunteer’s interest and skills to specific LA General assignments, however, the Volunteer Services Department will make all final placement decisions to prioritize the patient experience impact and the greatest needs of the organization.<\/p>\n

All volunteers are required to complete the onboarding requirements within 30 days of selection.<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_btn title=”Apply Now” color=”primary” size=”lg” align=”center” css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fforms.office.com%2FPages%2FResponsePage.aspx%3Fid%3DSHJZBzjqG0WKvqY47dusgfMegbcMlSVOtqoQ5IOxRg9UMlBQWTRRM1VIRVRDMFlWMDJYUklKUExCMC4u|target:_blank”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

Commonly Asked Questions<\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion active_section=”1″ collapsible_all=”true”][vc_tta_section title=”What is the minimum to volunteer?” tab_id=”1687288585470-c15f4d34-ccc3″][vc_column_text css=””]The minimum age to apply to become a volunteer at LA General is 16. Volunteers under the age of 18 may only serve as a volunteer during the summer months, weekdays only. Applications open on February 1, with limited space.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”How long does it take to start volunteering?” tab_id=”1687288585487-770ba9da-0dcd”][vc_column_text css=””]Individuals are required to complete the requirements within 30 days of selection, but volunteers can complete the requirements and begin service sooner than 30 days. Onboarding requires the completion of a background check, health clearance through On-site Human Resource Department and On-site Employee Health Services, and completion of a new volunteer orientation.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Who can write my letter of recommendation? Is there a specific form I must use?” tab_id=”1687289093732-7c3d438d-9a29″][vc_column_text css=””]The letter of recommendation can be written by any mentor, teacher, professor, former supervisor, coach, faith leader, etc., who can attest to your good character and can attest that you would be a great match for providing volunteer service at LA General. There is no specific form they must use to write the letter of recommendation. The letter of recommendation must be submitted directly by your recommender to the LA General Volunteers Department email at volunteerservices@dhs.lacounty.gov<\/a>.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”I have clinical training. Can I volunteer?” tab_id=”1687290482706-c5878528-f155″][vc_column_text css=””]You can volunteer. However, for legal, risk, and compliance reasons, volunteers are not able to provide clinical assistance to patients (starting IVs, wound care, taking vitals, taking notes or scribing, etc.), regardless of any clinical licenses (MD, RN, NP, PA, MA, LVN, state board certificates, etc.). The role of a volunteer is nonclinical, assisting with ancillary support to patients and families. Volunteer hours will not qualify as clinical hours.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”I\u2019m looking for an internship. Do you offer internships or externships?” tab_id=”1687290555041-a83c9752-0e32″][vc_column_text css=””]LA General do not offer opportunities for internships or externships. However, we serve as a worksite for various community organizations whom we support for their respective Workforce Development Programs. Please refer to your local county supervisor or LA city representative for potential workforce programs.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”What are the Employee Health Service Requirements for clearance?” tab_id=”1687290816509-cbbb972a-36d3″][vc_column_text css=””]Applicants must provide the following proof to Employee Health Services for clearance:<\/p>\n