Volunteer Services
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Give the Gift of Time: Volunteer at BID Milton
Through giving the gift of time, volunteers at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Milton make a huge impact on both our patients and staff. Without them, the quality of patient care at our hospital just wouldn’t be the same.
In addition to our general volunteer services, we offer a junior volunteer summer program for high school students wanting to learn while working in a healthcare setting.
You can also support the important work we do at BID Milton by making a philanthropic donation.
Volunteer Application Process
- Adults (18 years or older): Complete the Adult Application Form for Volunteer Services.
If there are openings for the position or schedule you requested, we will review your application and contact you for an interview.
The application process also includes:
- Reference and CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) checks for adults.
- Immunization requirements, including flu shot during flu season and recent TB screening.
- Hospital orientation and training sessions.
Endless Opportunities
Concern for others is at the heart of our volunteer program. No matter your background or level of experience, there’s a volunteer opportunity waiting for you at BID Milton. When you decide to volunteer, you become part of a team that lives our mission and values every day.
Volunteers support our organization across a variety of roles and departments, including:
- Endoscopy
- Infection control
- Gift shop
- Comfort shawls and quilts program
- Volunteer musician program
- Welcoming positions at entrances
You must be at least 14-years-old to be eligible. Immunization requirements include a Tuberculosis screening and a flu vaccine as well as a reference check and CORI for all adult applicants. If interested, please fill out the volunteer application and submit it via email.
Volunteer Benefits
BID Milton truly values your time, dedication and energy. Volunteers benefit by growing in knowledge and skills, making friends and having a positive impact on our patients and community. Other hospital benefits include:
- $6.00 meal benefit for each 3-4 hour shift.
- $2.00 drink benefit for each 3-4 hour shift.
- Free vaccinations, if required for volunteer service.
- Free Thanksgiving turkey for year-round volunteers.
- Free parking, including our free valet service.
- Annual Spring Appreciation Luncheon.
- Invitations to Hospital holiday meals and celebrations.
- Letters of Recommendation and Community Service Hour Forms.
If you’re passionate about helping others and you’re thinking about volunteering, we want to hear from you.
For more information about volunteer opportunities, call our Volunteer Services Office at 617-313-1360 or email our Director of Patient Experience and Volunteer Services, Maureen Burns-Johnson.
Volunteer Programs
One way to bring comfort and joy to hospital patients is by gifting them a shawl made with love. We accept donations of crocheted and knitted comfort shawls and quilts.
Members of our Comfort Shawls and Quilts Program knit and donate three or four quilts per month to our end-of-life patients.
For more information about the program or details regarding accepted size, yarn types, and pattern requirements, you can contact Volunteer Services or Pastoral Care.
Offering a variety of necessities and specialty items, the Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Milton gift shop is managed and operated entirely by volunteers. All proceeds raised by our gift shop go directly back to the hospital to help fund patient care.
The gift shop offers cards, magazines, snacks, candy, jewelry, toiletries and seasonal items. We also specialize in unique, boutique-style items, including clothing, stuffed animals and assorted handmade gifts.
If you're interested in volunteering in our gift shop, please note that on your application. For more information, contact Volunteer Services.
Location & Hours
The gift shop is conveniently located near the Highland entrance to the hospital. You can find it on the first floor, between Patient Registration and the Outpatient Lab.
Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday: 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm.
Extended hours coming soon.
Our Junior Volunteer Program is great for young people who are interested in health care and want to give back to their community. Our volunteers have allowed us to create a diverse, inclusive, committed team of individuals who value acts of service.
Spring Internships (For high school seniors with participating programs)
Some local high schools offer spring internship programs for seniors that allow them to volunteer in support of career exploration or helping those in need. Each spring, we accept two to four high school senior volunteers, depending on our needs.
If you're a senior interested in volunteering, we want to hear from you. Volunteering is a wonderful way to gain hands-on experience prior to graduating and can help you network if you're pursuing a career in health care.
Apply using our Junior Volunteer application. Note your interest in a spring internship with specific dates and times you'll be available, along with a written or emailed reference.
Summer Volunteer Program (For students ages 14-17)
Our Summer Volunteer Program provides high school students ages 14-17 with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a hospital setting while exploring a career in health care.
Volunteers may greet and accompany patients to their destinations, deliver lab specimens, visit patients, serve food, file and copy paperwork, escort therapy dogs and perform other tasks as needed.
While junior volunteers will have the opportunity to observe providers and participate in educational programs, it's important to note this is not a provider observation program.
As part of our collaborative Pet Therapy Visitation Program, pet therapists and their animals visit our hospitalized patients.
Research shows that spending time with healthy, well-trained pets (especially dogs) can improve a patient’s mood, decrease their blood pressure and heart rate and promote healing. Pet therapy strengthens patient and staff morale alike.
Our pet therapists and their animals have been evaluated, screened and trained by our partner organizations, Caring Canines, Dog B.O.N.E.S., as well as other approved pet therapy training organizations.
If you are interested in sharing your musical talents, please email us.
WORK, Inc. & Milton High School's Special Needs Department
Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Milton nurtures ongoing partnerships with WORK, Inc., a Dorchester-based nonprofit supporting adults with cognitive difficulties, and Milton High School's Special Needs Department.
Through this partnership, adults and students with special needs can volunteer with us to learn hands-on job skills, become more independent, and interact with the local community.
Norfolk County RSVP (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program)
BID Milton works in partnership with Norfolk County RSVP, an organization comprised of Norfolk County volunteers 55+ years of age who use their knowledge and life experiences to strengthen our communities through service.
Norfolk County RSVP is affiliated with the National Senior Service Corps and sponsored locally by the Norfolk County Commissioner.
The volunteer program is an important part of what makes Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Milton the exceptional hospital it is. Without our volunteers, the quality of care we provide to our patients just wouldn't be the same. Whether they're using their musical talents or cheering up patients with a visit from a therapy pet, our volunteers are making a difference.
Twice a year, we honor our volunteers with Volunteer of the Month awards.
