Volunteer at Abbott Northwestern Hospital

volunteering at abbott northwestern hospital

If you want to make an impact on your community or spend some time giving back to those who need help, consider volunteering at Abbott Northwestern Hospital. By volunteering at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, you will make a difference in people’s lives. Volunteers from age 15 will have the opportunity to serve patients, guests and employees.

Volunteer opportunities

People or user group icon

Guest services

  • Lobby*
  • Surgical Waiting Rooms
  • Flower Delivery
  • Gift Shop
  • Guest and Patient Escort

Parent child or family

Patient services

  • Patient Experience Cart*
  • Surgical Services
  • Spiritual Care
  • Emergency Department
  • Physical and Occupational Therapy

heart or health summary

Support services

  • Special projects

*Junior volunteer opportunities only

How to become a volunteer

  1. Submit an online application
  2. Please check your spam/junk folders once you submit the application for the automated email with orientation instructions.
  3. You will receive a link on how to complete the required steps to volunteer after you submit an online application:
    • Complete independent online orientation session within two weeks of submitting online application.
    • Complete health clearance form and screening.
    • Background study submitted by volunteer services on all applicants over 18 years of age.
  4. Once you completed steps 1 and 2, a staff member from the volunteer office will contact you with information on how to schedule your onsite onboarding shift.

Types of volunteers

adult volunteer at abbott northwestern hospital

Adult volunteers

Volunteering can help you improve your skills, meet new people, build your confidence and increase your career options. In addition, research has shown that volunteering can improve your physical and mental wellbeing.

junior volunteer at abbott northwestern hospital

Junior volunteers

Our Junior Volunteer program is for youths aged 15 to 18. We offer flexible volunteer opportunities throughout the year - spring, summer, fall and winter. Volunteer and spend that time helping patients, families and friends at the hospital. You'll learn about health care and reap the benefits of volunteering.

college volunteer program

Weekly college program

Abbott Northwestern Hospital is the ideal place to provide you with volunteer experience, while giving you insight into the health care setting. We offer flexible scheduling that can accommodate semester and class schedule changes. In addition, volunteering at Abbott Northwestern may even help you in your degree program. 

pet partners program at abbott northwestern hospital

Pet partners

Pet Partners Teams (dogs only) at Abbott Northwestern Hospital provide animal-assisted activities to patients and guests. Brighten someone's day with a visit from your certified Pet Partner team!

volunteer benefits

Benefits of volunteering

While volunteering at Abbott Northwestern, you will meet all sorts of people, and gain access to employee discounts and free educational programs. Most importantly, you will make a difference in people's lives. Also, you will receive:

  • Flexible scheduling
  • Complimentary parking, a one-way bus pass or a one-way Metro Mobility pass
  • A $7 meal credit per day
  • Access to employee discounts
  • Annual flu vaccine

Current volunteers

Online access to VicNet allows you to:

  • View your schedule
  • Sign up for additional shifts
  • Remove scheduled shifts
  • View messages, news and updates
  • Update personal information
  • Check your volunteer hours

Vicnet is now available on iOS and google. Download the free app.

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