Volunteer

Hospice care offers many meaningful volunteer opportunities to support our patients and their families. Call us at 978.552.4522 for more information. Examples of volunteer opportunities include:

• Activities with children  
• Bereavement services support
• Energy medicine (i.e. Reiki)
• Hairdressing
• Licensed massage therapy
• Light housekeeping
• Living Legacy program support
• Patient companionship
• Pet therapy
• Respite for family and caregivers
• Sewing keepsakes
• Singing with the Threshold Singers
• Spiritual support
• Veterans program support
• Vigil services

Many volunteers work in private homes, nursing homes and assisted living facilities throughout eastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire and at High Pointe House.  

Others give their time and talent helping in the administrative offices, on special projects or assisting at fundraising events. Volunteers receive specialized training and ongoing education, much like our clinical staff, as they are critical members of the our team.

Volunteer criteria

Volunteers have a variety of backgrounds and experiences while meeting criteria to serve in the healthcare sector. All hospice volunteers must:

• Be at least 15 years old. Complete an application and interview.
• Complete 6-week volunteer training and an initial 2-step TB test or provide documentation of TB test or chest x-ray.
• During flu season, documentation of flu vaccine or approved exemption (medical or religious) must be provided.
• Provide references, complete a criminal background check and agree to and sign a confidentiality statement.

Please note: Training and TB testing aren’t required for volunteers who exclusively assist with administrative support and special events, but may be required for other volunteer positions.

How to apply

• Print out and complete the volunteer application.
• Scan your completed application.
• Email your completed application to volunteermanager@tuftsmedicine.org.

Lowell General has 3 core volunteer tracks focused on long-term opportunities in healthcare. These programs are a great way to build relationships with staff, learn about different jobs in healthcare and have a meaningful experience.

We love how our community wants to give back! However, we might not have a spot for everyone who applies. If you apply, your application will stay active for 3 months. If you’re a good fit, we’ll contact you by email or phone for an interview. You can apply again if you don’t hear from us in 3 months.

All volunteers must complete our onboarding process, which includes an occupational health screening, a background check and an online orientation.

To contact the volunteer department, please get in touch with a team member:

Kacey Decker, Manager of Volunteer Services
E: Kacey.Decker@TuftsMedicine.org
P: 978.788.7330 (x87330)

Vivian Tran, Volunteer Services Coordinator
E: Vivian.Tran@TuftsMedicine.org
P: 978.937.6280 (x76280)

Poline Chhor, Volunteer Services Coordinator
E: Poline.Chhor@tuftsmedicine.org
P: 978.942.2582 (x22582)
 

This volunteer program is for students who are 16 to 18 years old and currently in high school. In our junior track, students will help support hospital patients and staff. They’ll learn about how the hospital works every day and get a better understanding of what it’s like to work in a hospital.

This track requires a commitment of:

• Minimum of 100 hours of service over the course of 1 year
• One 3-hour shift per week
  • After school between the hours of 2-7 pm
  • Limited weekend opportunities are available

Apply here

This volunteer track is for students currently enrolled at a college or university at the undergraduate or graduate level. Through our college track, you’ll experience first-hand interactions with clinical and non-clinical staff, while making a positive impact for patients, families, and visitors.

This track requires a commitment of:

• Minimum of 75 hours of service over the course of six consecutive months
• One 3-hour shift per week
  • Limited weekend opportunities available

Apply here

At Lowell General, adult volunteers serve in a wide variety of roles and provide essential assistance to patients, employees and visitors. Whether you’re a retired adult with a flexible schedule or a working adult with specific hours to give, we’ll work to find a position that matches your skills, interests and availability.

This track requires a commitment of:

• Minimum of 100 hours of service over the course of 1 year
• One 3-hour shift once per week
  • Limited weekend opportunities are available

Apply here

Our summer volunteer program is for students who can’t volunteer during the school year but want to help out during their summer break. If you want to volunteer in the summer, please fill out an application by April 30. Summer applications will be open starting April 1.

Summer volunteer spots are limited, so we can't guarantee everyone will get a position. If you know you’ll be away for a long time during the summer, we kindly ask you not to apply.

This track requires a commitment of:

• A minimum of 80 hours of service over the course of 10 weeks
• Two 4-hour shifts per week
  • Limited weekend opportunities are available 

Apply here

Students can apply for a college internship in different non-clinical roles. We will look at your application to see if your interests and qualifications match what we’re looking for.

Please read the internship requirements below to make sure you qualify:

• Applicants must be currently enrolled in a four-year accredited college or university in a relevant course of study
• Preference will be given to students with 60 or more college credits
• Acceptance into the college Internship program is contingent on a health screening, criminal background check and good academic standing

For more information, please contact us at 978.788.7330 or send an email to kacey.decker@tuftsmedicine.org.

Apply here

The Lowell General Hospital Auxiliary needs volunteers for a variety of Auxiliary events throughout the year. To get involved, or to learn more information, call 978.937.6696.

We always seek positive, responsible and respectful people to join our volunteer team. You’ll feel right at home volunteering with us if you enjoy working with the general public and have good customer service skills.

Volunteer opportunities at MelroseWakefield vary depending on your skills, interests and departmental needs. There are numerous departments where volunteers are needed, including administrative support, gift shop, cafe, pet therapy, music therapy, pastoral care and more.

Criteria for becoming a volunteer with MelroseWakefield include: 

• Being at least 15 years of age to apply
• Completing a minimum of 46 hours of service over 12 months
• Completing a CORI before starting your assignment
• Providing immunization records confirming immunity to chickenpox, measles, mumps and rubella
• Proof of current flu shot and COVID-19 vaccines are required

Begin your volunteer journey by completing your adult application or teen application.

If we invite you for an interview and you are a good fit for our current positions, you’ll be offered a volunteer assignment and training.

Join The Mobile Food Market every second Saturday of the month and help provide free food to people in our community who need it the most. We need your assistance from 10:30 a.m. to noon at 239 Commercial Street in Malden to pack the donated food into bags that will be distributed to those in need. This event can make a real difference in our local communities. Please dress appropriately for the weather, as you'll be working outside, regardless of the conditions.

To volunteer or for more information, please contact Kristen Giuliani, RD, at kristen.a.giuliani@tuftsmedicine.org or 781.338.7576.

Applications for high school volunteers will open on Monday, February 17th.

Our 2025 program will be a 10-week program from June 30 – August 31 and provides an opportunity for high school students to gain experience working in a hospital setting. Our high school summer program volunteers fill roles such as lobby ambassadors, supporting patients and visitors, and providing clinical support throughout the hospital. To be considered, you must:

• Be 16 years old or older by June 13, 2025
• Complete a 500-word essay on “Why you would like to volunteer at Tufts Medical Center” (please note that applications without an essay will not be considered)
• Provide the days and times you are available and can commit to showing up when scheduled
• Commit to 2 four-hour shifts per week for the entire 10-week program
• Not miss more than 2 missed shifts (if time off is needed, you are required to notify the volunteer services and your department manager at least 7 days prior)
• Attend a mandatory in-person orientation at Tufts Medical Center on Saturday, June 14th
• Meet all employee health requirements, including the COVID-19 vaccine (please note that employee health must clear you before Friday, June 14)
• Purchase a volunteer shirt for $10
• We will review your application and invite those who qualify to conduct group interviews in the last week of March.
• We expect volunteers to make a commitment to us for the entire summer. If you are unable to commit to 2 four-hour shifts per week (no more than 2 missed shifts, and even then, you must notify volunteer services and your department manager at least 7 days before).
• Before applying, please consider if you can truly commit to this commitment and discuss summer plans with your family to avoid conflicts (including vacations, travel, camps, summer classes, sports, driver’s ed. classes, summer jobs, college tours, etc.).

Applications will remain open until Friday, March 28th. After this time, we will no longer accept applications for the summer sessions. High school students are asked to commit 2 shifts per week for a minimum of 8 of the 10 week program. Interviews will be held through zoom and students will be notified of their acceptance to the program during the week of April 11th. High school students must be cleared to volunteer on or before June 6th. All high school students will be REQUIRED to attend an orientation on Saturday, June 14th.

High school volunteer application

At this time we are currently not accepting students for the fall program. Please check back in July.

Applications for college students will open on Monday, February 17th. Applications will remain open until Friday, March 28th. After this time, we will no longer accept applications for the late spring or summer sessions. All students will be required to complete a 500-word essay. Why would I like to volunteer at Tufts Medical Center? College students are asked to commit 2 shifts per week for 12 out of 14 weeks of the program. Interviews will be held through Zoom and students will be notified of their acceptance to the program during the weeks of April 11. All college students MUST be cleared on or before Monday, May 19th. The college program begins on Tuesday, May 27th.

College volunteer application

At this time we are currently not accepting students for the fall program. Please check back in July.

Adult volunteers are asked to commit to at least one shift per week and at least 12 months of service. Please submit an application online or contact us at 617.636.1377 Monday through Friday for more information.

Adult volunteer application

No, we unfortunately cannot place every single applicant in a volunteer position due to a high volume of applicants and thorough screening processes.

Your first step to becoming a volunteer is to decide where you want to volunteer and how.  Once interviewed and accepted into a volunteer program, it may take upwards of an additional 45 days to begin.

All new volunteers will be informed about our medical clearance process. We'll let you know what information we need, but typically, we require the following:

• Flu vaccine during the flu (Winter) season
• History of chickenpox or vaccination
• MMR vaccinations
• Hepatitis-B vaccination
• Tuberculosis (TB) screening within six months
• COVID-19 vaccination or complete a declination form

Should our occupational health specialists determine that you’ll need additional vaccinations or blood work to comply with hospital policies, they will help coordinate this through the hospital.

Each hospital has a dress code that volunteers must follow. Some of our hospitals provide a uniform, such as a polo shirt. You will also be provided with a badge that must be worn above the waist. 

Each hospital has different age requirements for volunteers; some allow starting at 15, while others require waiting until 16.

Each hospital has different time and commitment requirements for volunteering. Currently, Lowell General and Tufts Medical Center do.

Yes, you may request school-mandated community service hours in your volunteer application. Keep in mind, you must meet a minimum hourly commitment before we can document your proof of service hours.

Unfortunately, we don’t offer observational job shadows.

No, volunteers cannot administer medical care to patients. However, we do offer volunteer roles that involve interacting with patients.

No, volunteers are not allowed to volunteer in operating rooms.

Yes, some of our hospitals do have a baby cuddler program. Once you’ve been interviewed, accepted into our program, and cleared to volunteer, we’ll add you to a list of cuddlers.

Keep in mind that this role cannot guarantee a regular weekly shift. Days or weeks may pass without needing help from on-call cuddlers. We limit our list to just a handful of volunteers because this opportunity is so limited. You must be 18 years old or older to be a cuddler.

This depends on how and where you’re volunteering. If you’re consistent with your attendance and still interested in volunteering more hours, please talk about adding more hours with our staff.

No, because of patient privacy laws and infection control issues, we typically cannot accommodate these types of requests. Please contact the volunteer services at the hospital you'd like to volunteer at. 

If you’re main goal is to immediately find a new job, we ask that you wait to apply as a volunteer until you’ve secured your next position. Given that we request a 6–12 month commitment, it’s likely that your availability will change once you’re onboarded at a new job. Should your new schedule allow time to volunteer, please apply at that time.