Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Providence Saint John’s Health Center. Due to high volume of applicants and limited open roles, applications are currently closed. Your patience is appreciated and you are encouraged to check back in February of 2027.
At Providence Saint John's Health Center, volunteers play a vital role in creating an exceptional healing environment for patients, families, and caregivers. Through rewarding service opportunities, volunteers become valued members of the Saint John's family while gaining meaningful experiences, developing new skills, and positively impacting the lives of others. We are proud to be supported by a remarkable team of volunteers whose dedication helps advance our Mission every day.
Providence Saint John's Health Center volunteers range in age from 16 to 97, bringing together generations of compassionate individuals who share a commitment to serving others. Each year, nearly 300 volunteers from diverse backgrounds contribute their unique talents, experiences, and perspectives to help create a welcoming and supportive environment for our patients, families, and caregivers.
Volunteers are an important part of the Saint John's community and play a vital role in enhancing the care experience. They serve in more than 25 areas throughout the health center, providing assistance in a wide variety of clinical and non-clinical settings. Whether offering comfort and companionship to patients, greeting visitors, assisting staff, or supporting essential behind-the-scenes operations, our volunteers make a meaningful difference every day.
We take pride in matching volunteers with opportunities that align with their interests, strengths, and goals, creating rewarding experiences while meeting important hospital needs. If you are looking for a meaningful way to give back, connect with others, develop new skills, and make a positive impact in your community, we would be delighted to welcome you to our volunteer family.
For more information on how to become part of this rewarding experience, please call the Volunteer Services Office at 310-829-8438.
Opportunities for service include:
- Information Desk
- Lobby Escort
- Office support
- Surgery waiting room
- Gift shop
- Nursing units
- Nifty Needlers (knitting caps and booties for our newborns)
- Pawsitive Pet Program
- Emergency Department
- Infusion Center
- Breast Center
- No One Dies Alone Program
- Care Experience rounding
- Sweet Dreams rounding (nighttime rounding to support a restful night)
In appreciation of their service, volunteers enjoy a variety of benefits, including:
- Complimentary parking during volunteer service hours or a free TAP card for volunteers who commute by bus
- A complimentary beverage in the café during volunteer service hours
- Discounts on purchases in the café
- Discounts on purchases in the Gift Shop
- Free annual flu vaccine
- Invitations to health center events, celebrations, and volunteer recognition activities.
Personal rewards many of our volunteers experience include:
- Giving back to the community and fostering a sense of connection to the Providence mission.
- Developing greater empathy and understanding of patients’ experiences.
- Staying active and engaged.
- Exploring careers in healthcare.
- Building meaningful intergenerational relationships.
- Fulfilling school community service requirements.
- Learning new skills.
- Experiencing a sense of pride and accomplishment through making a meaningful difference.
If you are interested in volunteering at Providence Saint John’s Health Center, the first step is to attend an orientation. Orientations are typically held on a quarterly basis. However, due to the overwhelming interest in our Volunteer Program, we have slowed down our orientation schedule to ensure that all applicants are processed and placed in assignments before we bring on any additional volunteers.
Following the orientation, you will schedule a one-on-one interview with the Senior Manager of Volunteer Services. If it is determined that you are a good match for our program and our program is a good match for you, you will be invited to attend a 5-hour training.
Our volunteer requirements include:
- Volunteers must be 16 years of age or older.
- Commit to at least one 4-hour shift, same day and time each week, for at least 6 months.
- Commit to a minimum of 100 hours of service.
- To protect our volunteers and our vulnerable patients, certain health requirements must be met before volunteering. These include the following steps:
- Provide as much documentation as possible regarding the following immunizations: Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR), Chickenpox (Varicella), Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap) and annual Influenza vaccine.
- If you do not have documentation, a blood test can be ordered to test for immunities.
- Complete a screening through our Caregiver Health Services Office, which consists of a review of immunizations and a blood draw for a QuantiFERON-TB Gold test.
- Volunteers who are age 18 and older are required to complete a background clearance before they are able to begin.
- Volunteers, with few exceptions, wear a uniform. Our uniform consists of your own tan/beige pants, a white or tan shirt, and the Providence Saint John’s Health Center navy blue jacket. Jackets are sold for $30 each.
- Volunteers must be supportive and sensitive to the needs of all patients, families, visitors, physicians and Providence Saint John’s caregivers.
- Volunteers must adhere to the policies of Providence Saint John’s Health Cener.
- Volunteers must have the desire to serve others in a caring, compassionate manner.
The Paula Kent Meehan Pawsitive Pet Program brings specially trained volunteer dog-and-handler teams to Providence Saint John's Health Center, offering comfort, companionship, and moments of joy to patients during their hospital stay. A friendly visit from one of our beloved therapy dogs can brighten a patient's day, reduce feelings of stress and isolation, and provide a welcome sense of normalcy during a challenging time.
The benefits of these visits extend far beyond our patients. Therapy dogs are warmly welcomed by caregivers, visitors, and staff members throughout the health center, bringing smiles, encouragement, and a positive presence wherever they go. The dogs themselves thrive on the affection and attention they receive and seem to delight in their role as four-legged ambassadors of comfort and healing.
Through the special bond between people and animals, the Pawsitive Pet Program helps create moments of connection, compassion, and joy, making Saint John's an even more welcoming and healing environment for all who walk through our doors.
Program requirements
To qualify for the Pawsitive Pet Program, both the handler and dog must be registered through the Pet Partners Therapy Animal Program. When you are ready to begin the process, our team will be happy to guide you every step of the way. Learn more about becoming a Pet Partners therapy animal team.
Handlers must also be accepted as volunteers at Providence Saint John's Health Center and meet all volunteer program requirements. Please note that registration with Pet Partners does not automatically guarantee placement in the Pawsitive Pet Program. We are committed to building an exceptional therapy animal program and carefully evaluate each applicant team for temperament, suitability, and readiness to work in a healthcare setting. While not every team will be selected, we welcome inquiries from dedicated handlers and their canine companions who are passionate about bringing comfort, connection, and joy to patients, families, and caregivers.