At Mercy, volunteers play an important role in providing personal attention to patients, and fulfilling our Mercy Mission.
Anyone 14 years of age or older can apply to be a volunteer.
All applicants are interviewed by the Volunteer Services Manager (Jenna Maxson), and require a background check prior to volunteer approval status. Volunteers are placed in a volunteer service area according to their interests, qualifications, and hospital needs. All volunteers receive a Mercy hospital orientation, as well as specific training in their volunteer area.
Adult Volunteer Application
Volunteer schedules can vary in length, start time and day of the week as available. Mercy offers excellent patient-oriented volunteer opportunities for those looking to further patient experience.
Summer Youth Volunteers will be scheduled one day per week, for a two hour block of time, for the entire program. Serious applicants only please.
Information Sheet | Youth Application
Volunteer Opportunities
Patient Oriented:
Assist with patient overall comfort, stock supplies, and assist department staff as trained and appropriate. May provide delivery services for lab samples and mail depending on the department. Departments include:
- 3 West Medical
- 4 Center Orthopedics
- Emergency Care Unit (volunteers must be 16 years of age or older)
- Endoscopy
- Medical Oncology
- Surgery Care Unit
- Telemetry
Customer Service / Clerical:
- Community Relations: Greet patients and visitors in the Community Relations Department in-person with a smile, and answer the phone. Assist as needed to ensure a high level of customer service. Assist with mailings, filing, and scheduling as needed.
- Surgery Waiting Desk: Greet patients and visitors in the Surgery Waiting area with a smile, and answer the phone. Assist as needed to ensure a high level of customer service. Provide updates on patient surgeries as appropriate; offer coffee, blankets, pillows; reserve private meeting rooms for families and friends of patients to converse with surgeons; provide directions and answer any questions as needed.
- Information Desk: Located at the main entrance of the hospital. Greet patients and visitors in-person with a smile, and answer the phone. Assist as needed to ensure a high level of customer service. Provide directions, arrange for a Patient Escort, locate a patient, call for a taxi, suggest nearby community attractions/event
- Guest Service Information Stations (coming soon): Located in key entrances to the hospital. Greet patients and visitors in-person with a smile, and answer the phone. Assist as needed to ensure a high level of customer service. Provide directions, arrange for a Patient Escort, locate a patient, call for a taxi, suggest nearby community attractions/events, provide information on Guest Lodging, SHIIP, Gift Shop, Parking and hospital departments.
- Maternal Child: Assisting with charts, and files.
Guest Services:
- Gift Shop: Staff the Gift Shop which is open to Mercy visitors and patients.
- Guest Lodging: Greet, register, and check in/out patients and/or family members using Mercy's overnight lodging service.
- SHIIP Counselors: After training by the Senior Health Insurance Information Program, help seniors with their Medicare bills and insurance payment problems (volunteers must be 18 years of age or older).
- Patient Escort: Escort patients within the hospital and assist with admissions/dismissals.
- Mail Delivery: Deliver patient mail and greetings to the patient’s room.
Seasonal, Scheduled as Needed, or on Your Own Schedule:
- Baby caps and booties (knit or crochet): Babies born at Mercy receive a blue or pink cap, free of charge. Booties are sold in the Mercy Gift Shop. Yarn and instructions are provided. Previous experience preferred. Mercy provides the yarn, and volunteers bring in completed caps as able.
- 4 North Pet Therapy: Volunteer’s pet must be a registered therapy animal, and provide proof of current required vaccinations. The Volunteer Services Manager should be given 48 hour notice before the pet is brought into the hospital.
- Lifeline Installers: Install Lifeline units in subscribers' homes and teach new subscribers how to use them.
- Bridge Marathon: Play bridge while raising money for the Mercy Guild.
- Bulk Mailings: Label and stuff envelopes for large mailing projects as needed.
- Fall Risk Kits: Assemble Fall Risk Kits for patients at high risk for falling.
- Angel Craft Group: Craft Mercy Angel Christmas ornaments each year. Profits benefit the Mercy Guild.
Eucharistic Minister: Volunteers approved by the bishop who deliver communion and spiritual support to patients. Our Eucharistic Ministers report to Pastoral Care.
Emerson Point: 1355 Shannon Dr, Iowa City, IA 52246. Assist with activities for Emerson Point residents. Feel free to suggest activities or preform for our residents (prior approval required). Examples: musicians, artists, educational demonstrations or speakers welcome.
Reach our Volunteer Office at 339-3659 or email jenna.maxson@mercyic.org.