Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteering means being part of a group of energetic people who make a significant difference in the health and well-being of others.
For some, volunteering provides an opportunity to interact with people and make new friends. For others, it's a way to give back to the community. The greatest reward, however, is the sense of giving oneself to help others — and there are so many opportunities for volunteering at Main Line Health.
Our volunteers are students, parents, grandparents, working professionals and retirees from all walks of life. They come during the day, after school or on weekends—whenever their schedule allows.
You can volunteer in the following ways at any of our locations:
- Nursing units and clinical departments
- Pet therapy
- NICU cuddlers
- Administrative support
Each location has its own unique volunteering opportunities. To learn more about these opportunities, click on each hospital below.
Apply to be a volunteer with Main Line Health
To volunteer with Main Line Health, you must be at least 15 years old and you must:
- Fill out the application and return it to the Department of Volunteer Services at your desired location.
- For adults, submit two reference letters from non-relatives. Reference forms are located within the application. Have completed forms mailed or emailed to our department.
- Provide information requested for clearances, including a background check, child abuse clearances and FBI attestation or attestation form. Make sure to sign your consent for background check to be processed.
- Up-to-date immunizations, including COVID-19 vaccination and seasonal flu vaccination, are outlined in the volunteer application and are required.
Download your application form today:
We have two applications (one for minors, ages 15-17) and one for adults (ages 18 and older). To get started, fill out and submit your application to become a volunteer at Main Line Health:
You can find information on how to submit your application to your desired location below or in the above applications.
Once your application and both references are received and reviewed, the volunteer office will call you to schedule an appointment to discuss your interests and develop a placement.
We will look forward to meeting you and having you become a member of the Main Line Health team!
Lankenau Medical Center
The following unique volunteer opportunities are available at Lankenau Medical Center:
High School Summer Volunteer Program — The program, for students at least 15 years old, runs from June to August and applications will be accepted beginning in February. Students are permitted to volunteer throughout the school year. Please note: Thank you for your interest, however we are no longer accepting applications.
Additional volunteer opportunities include:
- Sun room
- Comfort cart
- Patient transport
Contact the department of volunteer services
Lankenau Medical Center
Department of Volunteer Services
100 East Lancaster Avenue
Wynnewood, PA 19096
484.476.2138
[email protected]
Bryn Mawr Hospital
The following unique volunteer opportunities are available at Bryn Mawr Hospital:
High School Summer Volunteer Program — The program, for students at least 15 years old, runs from June to August and applications will be accepted beginning in February. Students are permitted to volunteer throughout the school year. Please note: Thank you for your interest, however we are no longer accepting applications.
Additional volunteer opportunities include:
- Companion Care Program
- Musician on Call
- Mail room
- Patient transport
- Gift Shop
- Thrift Shop
Contact the department of volunteer services
Bryn Mawr Hospital
Department of Volunteer Services
130 South Bryn Mawr Avenue
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
484.337.3058
[email protected]
Paoli Hospital
The following unique volunteer opportunities are available at Paoli Hospital:
High School Summer Volunteer Program —The program, for students at least 15 years old, runs from June to August and applications will be accepted beginning in February. Students are permitted to volunteer throughout the school year. Please note: Thank you for your interest, however we are no longer accepting applications.
Additional volunteer opportunities include:
- Patient transport
- Patient ambassador
- Surgery desk
Contact the department of volunteer services
Paoli Hospital
Department of Volunteer Services
255 West Lancaster Avenue
Paoli, PA 19301
484.565.1099
[email protected]
Riddle Hospital
The following unique volunteer opportunities are available at Riddle Hospital.
High School Summer Volunteer Program — The program, for students at least 15 years old, runs from June to August and applications will be accepted beginning in February. Students are permitted to volunteer throughout the school year. Please note: Thank you for your interest, however we are no longer accepting applications.
Additional volunteer opportunities include
- Merry Token Gift Shop
- Pre-admission testing
- Short procedure unit—prepping stretchers
Contact the department of volunteer services
Riddle Hospital
Department of Volunteer Services
1068 West Baltimore Pike
Media, PA 19063
484.227.3170
[email protected]
Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital
Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital offers several unique volunteer opportunities, which you can learn about below.
Art Ability
The Art Ability Program at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital offers a unique and accessible venue for artists with disabilities to display and sell their work.
The program relies on the help of our dedicated volunteers to help ensure the success of the program by helping to hang the art and with clerical tasks. There are many opportunities to get involved in Art Ability, depending on your interests and time. Volunteers are welcomed at both the committee level and on an as needed basis.
Bryn Mawr Gift Shop
More than just a store, the hospital gift shop is also an important opportunity for patient therapy. Our therapists assist patients to visit the Gift Shop and incorporate therapy time to re-learn important skills with the generous help of volunteers. The shop operates seven days a week.
Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital Volunteer Auxiliary
The mission of the Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital Volunteer Auxiliary is to assist the hospital in meeting its charitable mission and goals through its fundraising efforts. The efforts of the Volunteer Auxiliary support programs and initiatives of the Hospital and the community it serves.
The Volunteer Auxiliary has raised nearly $400,000 to benefit Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital. Those funds supported programs such as:
- Condition-specific Patient Support programs.
- Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital's Project SEARCH program that teaches work skills to employable individuals with physical or cognitive disabilities.
- The acquisition of physical therapy equipment to facilitate the recovery of Hospital patients—including the Lokomat® for robot-assisted walking therapy—and the SMART EquiTest® for the assessment and rehabilitation of patients with balance and mobility disorders.
Volunteer Auxiliary
Volunteers support Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital through a variety of special events designed to raise funds and increase awareness of Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital's programs. Every fundraiser has a core group of volunteers or committee members who work toward planning a successful event.
Through the generous gift of time, talents and personal interests, our volunteers develop, organize and execute a variety of fundraising events. Over the years many fundraising ideas have been tried. However, we're always looking for new ideas and people to lead the event.
Horticultural Therapy Center
Our Horticultural Therapy Center includes a green house, pond, gazebo and outdoor gardens. It's a wonderful place where patients receive therapy working with plants and flowers.
Patients develop skills in cultivating plants, creating flower arrangements and growing and selling fresh flowers. Our volunteers help in all these areas, as well as in transporting patients to the center.
Pet-assisted therapy
Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital uses more than a half dozen dogs as effective assistants for our therapists. All dogs must be certified by a recognized Pet Therapy Certification program. Certified dogs at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital may become involved in a structured therapy session with a therapist and a group of patients and/or may visit patients by walking through the hospital, spreading comfort and cheer.
If you have a dog you feel could help a therapist motivate patients to higher achievement, this might be an excellent opportunity for you. We can arrange an interview for you and your pet.
Student shadowing therapy
Shadowing opportunities are available in a variety of disciplines for college students interested in pursuing a career in physical therapy, occupational therapy or speech therapy. Assignments are issued on a monthly basis. Each opportunity is handled on an individual basis.
For more information on the Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital Shadowing Program, contact the Volunteer Department at 484.596.5599.
Other ways to volunteer:
- Administrative activities: A variety of programs and departments that keep Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital responsive to patients needs often need an extra set of hands. Some of these administrative activities include copying, faxing, filing, answering phones and laminating and collating of documents.
- Volunteer ambassador: Welcomes newly admitted patients to the hospital and help ensure that their requests have been addressed. This activity is geared toward experienced Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital volunteers.
- Front desk/reception: Direct patients and visitors to their desired location, deliver flowers to patients and escort patients to therapy if support or guidance is needed.
- Kitchen: Daily inventory support, restock of cafeteria items and help with data entry.
- Gift Shop: Assist with retail responsibilities, cashier duties, sales and replenishment.
- Beautician escort: Work directly with beautician, taking parents to and from appointments.
Contact the department of volunteer services
Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital
Department of Volunteer Services
414 Paoli Pike
Malvern, PA 19355
484.596.5599
[email protected]
HomeCare & Hospice
Hospice care is a program of quality, compassionate care that helps patients and families live as fully as possible. It's founded on the belief that each of us has the right to live with dignity. Hospice volunteers play an important role in carrying out this mission.
There are several ways you can volunteer at HomeCare & Hospice:
- Patient and family volunteers: Offer companionship, emotional support and respite, visiting patients in their home or homelike setting, allowing caregivers the opportunity to run necessary errands or simply make some time for themselves. We work carefully to match our patients' needs with the strengths and availability of our volunteers.
- Vigil volunteers: Provide a calm and peaceful presence to patients and families during the last hours of life.
- Bereavement volunteers: Work closely with the bereavement staff to support families following a loved one's death.
- Administrative volunteer: Work closely with volunteer supervisor and other office staff, supporting the daily operations of the hospice office as well as fundraising events.
Learn about our veteran volunteer program
We recognize the special needs of our military Veterans through our We Honor Veterans program. The program matches Veteran patients with volunteers who have military experience. Our Veteran volunteers relate and connect with Veteran patients to help support life review and healing.
How can you help as a veteran volunteer?
- Volunteers are an important part of quality hospice care.
- Veterans are a part of a special culture with their own common language and experiences.
- The bond created among Veterans has proven supportive for all involved.
How can you participate as a veteran volunteer?
- Support Veteran patients by sharing life stories.
- Educate and help patients with obtaining Veteran benefits.
- Take part in recognition ceremonies.
- Deliver certificates for Veteran's Day and participate in other Veteran events.
- Assist in replacing lost medals for Veteran patients.
Contact the department of volunteer services
For more information about becoming a hospice volunteer, please contact Michele Whipple, manager of volunteer services, at [email protected] or 484.580.1550.