Sharp Memorial Hospital
Volunteer Opportunities at Sharp Memorial Hospital
It feels good to give back.
We are currently accepting applications for adult and high school students that are graduating class of 2024 or class of 2025. We do not offer summer-only opportunities for any volunteer position. Please review the requirements page for more details before you complete the application.
Make a difference in the lives of others when you volunteer at Sharp. We offer many ways for you to contribute your time, energy and skills.
As a Sharp volunteer, you will give back to the community and meet new people. Other benefits include learning and career exploration, education and wellness forums, recognition prizes, discounted uniforms and a $6 cafeteria meal credit during each shift.
We make it easy and flexible to schedule your volunteer hours. All of our clinical departments utilize a live, cloud-based scheduling program that's accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Choose the opportunity that speaks to you.
Whether it's exercising your creativity in our Arts for Healing Program, helping out in upscale boutiques or assisting guests at our concierge desk, we will work with you to meet your needs and desires. Here are a few more examples of available opportunities:
- Emergency department (currently closed)
- Family Resource Center
- Patient ambassador
- Integrative healing therapies (Healing Touch, Reiki, Music and Pet Therapy)
- Nursing units
- Occupational and physical therapy (shifts are weekdays only, between 9 am and 4 pm)
- Pharmacy (limited, and primarily clerical)
- Postoperative areas
- Upscale boutiques
Volunteer today.
We'd love to welcome you to our team. When you're ready to apply, please review our volunteer health clearances and requirements.
Frequently asked questions.
Want to learn more about volunteering with Sharp? Check out the most common questions for volunteers of Sharp Mary Birch, Sharp Memorial and Sharp Mesa Vista hospitals. If you still need answers, please give us a call at 858-939-3588 or send us an email.
How do I get selected to be a volunteer?
You will be evaluated at each of the following three steps. Based on our assessment, we will either invite you to proceed to the next step or decline your application. The steps are as follows:
- The essay answers on your online application
- Your participation, professionalism and attentiveness at the information session
- Your one-on-one personal interview
What is a typical schedule?
Most shifts last three to four hours, the same day and time each week. We make it easy and flexible to schedule your volunteer hours. All of our clinical departments utilize a live, cloud-based scheduling program that's accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week and allows opportunities for flexible scheduling and self-scheduling make-up shifts for missed shifts. A few volunteer roles allow for twice a month scheduling.
Do you have student volunteer opportunities just for the summer?
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide short-term volunteer opportunities for students that are only in San Diego during the summer.
What are the times of most shifts?
Shift times are scheduled in three- or four-hour increments with starting times as early as 6 to 8 am and most shifts ending by 8 pm. There are a few exceptions of shifts ending between 10 pm and midnight. Some departments offer weekend shifts and some departments only offer shifts Monday through Friday between 8 am and 4 pm.
There are a few roles within Integrative Healing that have shorter volunteer shifts and possibly variable days such as two-hour shifts every other week.
What are the roles within Integrative Healing and Arts for Healing?
Current roles within Integrative Healing include comfort hand massage, reiki, Healing Touch and aromatherapy. You must already have a certification in reiki and/or Healing Touch to perform these roles.
Arts for Healing roles include art at the bedside and music performance. Performing musicians must audition for a volunteer position. Volunteers providing art at the bedside do not need to have training in the arts or art experience.
Can I choose the area or department to volunteer in?
Our goal is to provide assistance where it is most needed. We can't guarantee specific departments but we work hard to accommodate your main interests.
Can I volunteer more than one shift per week?
After your department training checklist has been turned in to Volunteer Services, you can utilize our cloud-based scheduling program to self-schedule one extra shift each week.
Can I volunteer in more than one department at the same time?
This is determined on a case-by-case basis, and depends on your performance and attendance.
Can I transfer to other departments?
You can investigate transferring to other departments after completing six months in your first department. This is determined on a case-by-case basis, and depends on your performance and attendance.
Which departments do not have volunteer roles?
Radiology, Surgery, Trauma, Laboratory, EKG, Medical Records, Coding and Billing, Research, Respiratory Therapy, Nutrition, Peer Counseling, Social Work, Imaging, IT, Accounting and Finance do not have volunteer roles. We do not have a pediatrics department or opportunities involving children or babies.
Can I receive a letter of confirmation regarding my volunteer hours to use for school applications or employment opportunities?
Only after you complete the minimum commitment of 100 hours for adult or high school volunteers, can we provide a letter that reflects which department or departments you were assigned, what your duties/responsibilities were, start date and end date (or if you are still active) and how many hours you volunteered. This is the extent of information that we can provide.
Can I shadow physicians or other staff members?
No, unfortunately this is not available within our volunteer program.
Can I observe surgeries, births or medical procedures?
No, unfortunately this is not available within our volunteer program.
Can I obtain externship or internship opportunities through the volunteer program?
We cannot provide externship or internship opportunities within the volunteer program and we cannot sign any type of contract or verification regarding hours for those types of educational programs.
If I have a medical license of some kind, does that allow me to volunteer in more specific roles related to my field?
You cannot use your medical licenses or medical skills while volunteering and your licenses are not used to determine where you can volunteer.
Where do I park while volunteering?
Parking is available free of charge in both of our visitor parking garages.
Can I take a leave of absence from volunteering?
All leave of absences of two weeks or more must be arranged through the volunteer office. Your same schedule and same department cannot be guaranteed if you are reinstated into the program.
Does volunteering improve my chances of getting a job with Sharp HealthCare?
Although volunteerism is a great way to gain experience, utilize existing skills and understand the culture of Sharp HealthCare, it does not improve your chances or guarantee you will get a job at Sharp. Volunteers must go through the same application and interview process as general applicants.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please call us or send us an email.
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