Volunteering with Cone Health
We appreciate your interest in becoming a volunteer with Cone Health. Our respectful and caring volunteers provide compassionate assistance to our patients, their families, and visitors in nearly all departments and locations. Our volunteers enjoy the immense satisfaction of making another person’s day brighter. Giving back through our volunteer program is an invaluable way to make a difference in others’ lives. We thank you for your interest in our programs. We hope you will consider volunteering with us.
We take great care to match a volunteer's interest and skills to specific Cone Health assignments keeping in mind the greatest needs of the organization and how we can best support the patient experience. Volunteers do not shadow, observe, or provide clinical services (intern/externship), or participate in research positions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum age to volunteer?
College/adult volunteers must be at least 18.
How long does it take to become a volunteer?
On average, volunteers complete the requirements in four weeks. But you can complete them in one or two weeks if you're highly motivated.
I have clinical training. Can I volunteer?
For legal, risk, and compliance reasons, volunteers can't provide clinical assistance to patients (starting IVs, caring for wounds, taking vitals, taking notes, etc.) regardless of any clinical licenses. A volunteer's role is in nonclinical support for patients and families. Volunteer hours don't qualify as clinical hours.
Can I observe a clinician through Volunteer Services?
Do you offer internships or externships?
Will volunteering help me get a paid position at Cone Health?
Volunteering offers great life experiences, but doesn't guarantee future employment at Cone Health. If you're looking for a job, search our career opportunities.
How else can I support Cone Health?
Your generous contribution can directly affect the lives of thousands of people living in Alamance, Guilford, Rockingham and surrounding counties each year. When you or a loved one receives care at Cone Health, chances are some of it was made possible by charitable gifts. Every gift, large or small, makes a difference!
Learn more about philanthropy at Cone Health.
Steps to Become a Volunteer
- APPLY - Complete an on-line application.
- INTERVIEW - Complete the interview process.
- HEALTH SCREEN - Complete the Cone Health screening process.
- ORIENTATION - Complete your orientation & training.
Volunteer Locations
Volunteers are placed in a role based on their availability and the current needs of the organization, as well as their personal preferences.
Where would you like to volunteer?
Alamance County
Guilford, Randolph & Forsyth Counties
Rockingham County
Volunteer Testimonials
Porter Aichele
Porter Aichele received treatment for breast cancer at Cone, and says her experience was incredibly positive. Not only was her treatment superb, she says, but all the people she encountered at Cone were caring, giving, compassionate, and consummate professionals.
After her treatment, she became a volunteer with the Alight Program – the portion of the hospital dedicated to breast cancer care – and also helped to make the healing gardens a reality. She ultimately dedicated an area of the healing gardens in memory of her late husband, and enjoys watching patients and staff members use the gardens as a peaceful escape from the realities of the hospital.
“I grew up with the idea that people who can give back, should. There’s nothing inherently positive about breast cancer, but the treatment I received was. I knew I wanted to give back, having been given so much.”
Richard Mansell
After both he and his wife were treated for cancer in Florida, where he was living at the time, Richard Mansell began volunteering at the infusion center at the hospital where they’d received care. When he moved to Greensboro a few years later – in the fall of 2016 – to be closer to his son, one of the first things he did was start volunteering at the infusion center at Cone. A retired botany professor, it wasn’t long before he also became involved in the healing gardens.
“I’m in love with the gardens, with Wesley Long, and the nurses I work with are absolutely the most wonderful people. We really see eye to eye, and I love helping them and working with them.”
In addition to volunteering, Richard has also donated a bench to the healing gardens.
