At CentraState Healthcare System, our volunteers are an important part of our community. They provide a vital customer service link to our patients, families, visitors, and residents at our senior care facilities. Hundreds of adult, high school and spiritual care volunteers assist staff in more than 90 different areas throughout our health care system. Volunteer positions may focus on patient/resident satisfaction (customer service), staff interaction, technical/office/clerical assistance, and other supportive duties.
Our goal is to create a mutually beneficial experience that provides valuable service to our patients, residents, and staff, while providing our volunteers with a positive, fulfilling role. Volunteer assignments vary based on the needs of our departments and staff in serving our patients and residents.
Ways to Volunteer
Through our engaging High School Student Volunteer Program, our student volunteers have diverse opportunities to gain knowledge of the health care field while practicing valuable leadership and transferable skills. We invite young adults who are at least 14 years of age and actively attending high school to join us. Student volunteers must also be up to date on flu and Covid-19 vaccines and boosters.
We accept new student applications twice a year for the spring and summer sessions. Please complete our High School Student Volunteer Interest Form or call Volunteer & Guest Services at 732-294-2622 for more information.
High School Student Volunteer Sessions
Student Volunteer Fall 2023
- Return students only: Return to Volunteer Form will be emailed on July 15. Due: July 25
- Service Commitment: Sept. 5, 2023 to Feb. 25, 2024
- New Applicants: Fall volunteer opportunities are for returning students only. New applicants are encouraged to apply in the spring session.
Student Volunteer Spring 2024
- Return Students Only: Return to Volunteer Form will be emailed on November 15. Due: November 25
- Applications Accepted: September 1 to November 1 by 4pm.
- Student Orientation: January 6, 2024 or January 15, 2024.
- Service Commitment: Feb. 26, 2024 to June 23, 2024
Please note: Students are expected to commit to serving for the entire session.
To Become a Volunteer
- Complete our online Volunteer Interest Form.
- Complete the New Volunteer Packet within the specified timeline.
- Schedule and complete a phone interview by the deadline provided in an invitation email.
- Attend mandatory volunteer orientation in its entirety.
- Receive your volunteer placement confirmation (not guaranteed).
- Begin to volunteer!
Returning High School Students
Once a student has completed an application and has completed the mandatory orientation, the student does not need to apply again. A Return to Volunteer Form will be emailed to students prior to each session. Future placements will be partially based on attendance for prior sessions.
Recommendations/Documentation of Hours
To request a letter of recommendation, documentation of hours, or completion of specific forms (Ex: for National Honor Society), please complete a Request for Recommendation/Hours Form. Please note that we require up to 10 business days to adequately process requests.
Our adult volunteers—ranging from age 18 to 99—are a dedicated and loyal part of our team at CentraState. Volunteering is a great way to stay active, socialize, provide valuable skills to our community, and have some fun while you are at it.
If you are a college student, please call us at 732-294-2622 to discuss your goals in volunteering prior to applying, so we can ensure our program will fit your needs and timeline. Our volunteer program does not include shadowing/direct physician contact. The summer college session is currently closed. More information on the Summer 2024 session will be released in January 2024
*Adult volunteer orientation is by invite only
To Become a Volunteer
- Complete our online Adult Volunteer Interest Form.
- Complete an application (we will contact you regarding an application once we receive your Interest Form).
- Attend a meeting with the Director to discuss goals of volunteering, volunteer positions, and shifts.
- Attend mandatory volunteer orientation in its entirety. Session dates are below.
- Obtain your annual TB test and flu vaccine (free at CentraState Employee Health) and provide documentation to Volunteer & Guest Services.
- Await background clearance processed by CentraState.
- Begin to volunteer!
Recommendations/Documentation of Hours
To request a letter of recommendation, documentation of hours, or completion of specific forms, please fill out a Request for Recommendation/Hours Form. Please note that we require up to 10 business days to adequately process requests.
Thank you for considering a Community Service Project that will benefit our patients, residents, and staff at CentraState. There are a variety of opportunities for volunteers of any age to serve their community as well as accumulate Community Service Hours. If requested, a certificate for Community Service Hours will be provided upon drop off as proof of service hours. We appreciate your kindness and generosity.
Donation Drop-Off by Appointment Only
For everyone’s safety, we are arranging specific drop-off appointments. Drop-off appointments are available on Tuesdays or Thursdays from 10 am – 3:30 pm at Outpatient Entrance #4. Contact Volunteer & Guest Services to arrange an appointment by calling 732-294-2622 or emailing [email protected] during regular business hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.
Click here for the Donation Intake Form that will be needed for drop-offs.
Project Ideas (See details below)
- Comfort Items: Hours vary
- Staff Motivation Snack Cart: 1-3 service hours per box/bag of snacks
- Cards for Patients, Residents, and Staff: 1 hour per 10 cards
- Senior Resident Community Needs: Various project options
- Books & Magazines: No longer accepting at this time
Click here for details on accepted donation items and project details, including supplies, directions, guidelines, and safety requirements.
Due to safety reasons:
- All donation items must be brand new. Books and magazines are not needed at this time.
- Stuffed animals are not permitted
Click here to learn about financial donations and how they benefit our community.
Thank you for supporting CentraState and our local community.
Blood DrivesÂ
The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood.
Visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS to schedule your appointment or to find a blood drive near you. Â Â Â Â
You can also download the free app called “Red Cross Blood Donor” through the app store or by texting 90999. The app allows you to track donor history, access your digital donor card, see where your donation ended up, and sign up for RapidPass registration to save time during future donations.
| Date | Time | Location |
| Tuesday, January 24 | 1 pm – 6 pm | Freehold Jewish Center, 59 Broad St. in Freehold |
| Thursday, March 30 | 1 pm – 6 pm | Jack Aaronson Conference Center |
| Tuesday, May 30 | 1 pm – 6 pm | Star and Barry Tobias Ambulatory Campus |
| Friday, July 28 | 1 pm – 6 pm | CentraState Auditorium |
| Tuesday, October 3 | 1 pm – 6 pm | Jack Aaronson Conference Center |
| Tuesday, November 28 | 1 pm – 6 pm | Star and Barry Tobias Ambulatory Campus |
In partnership with the Boy Scouts of America Post 255
Through interactive learning with medical professionals, hands-on experiences, and hospital tours, this co-ed program gives teen girls and boys ages 14-18 the opportunity to explore a variety of careers in the healthcare field.
We are planning for the 2023-2024 session.
- To apply to be a Healthcare Explorer, please download the application by clicking here and complete it in its entirety. Applications are accepted on a first come/first-served basis and are due no later than September 29 at 4:00pm. Applications are accepted by email only and no in-person drop-offs will be accepted.
About the Program
The Healthcare Explorers Program is an ideal way to learn about a variety of careers in health care and can help teens determine if a career in the medical field may be in their future. Participants learn about a range of healthcare careers, hear from experienced healthcare professionals, and gain hands-on opportunities to delve further into a variety of healthcare topics.
Program Qualifications
Registration is required in September. Space is limited, and participants are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
High school students in grades 9 through 12 between 14 and 20 are eligible to join.
Required forms must be completed and submitted by September 29 at 4pm.
Program Fee
The cost of the program is an estimated $65, which includes Boy Scouts Healthcare Explorers membership, program supplies, and a celebration reception. (Traditional Boy Scout merit badge program not included).
Meetings
Student Explorers will attend interactive monthly meetings from October through April, concluding with a celebration for students and parents or guardians in May.
A Valuable Experience
- Gain experience in a professional setting
- Interact with professionals in a healthcare setting
- Opportunities to develop transferable skills such as:
- critical thinking/problem solving
- communication/listening
- responsibility
- teamwork, cooperation
- leadership
- professionalism
- time management
- ability to work for/with people that are different than them
- work ethic
- confidence
- organization
- flexibility
Note: Our volunteer program does not include shadowing/direct physician contact.
Benefits of Volunteering
- Pride, sense of accomplishment
- Strengthen communities; improve lives
- Connect to others (social)
- Transform your own life
- Express gratitude
- Feel needed and valued
- Health benefits: live longer, lower rate of depression, stay active
- Communicate to others that you are ambitious, enthusiastic and care about community
Career-Oriented Benefits
- Networking
- Build self-esteem and confidence
- Gain experience in a healthcare setting
- Career clarification and exploration
- Recommendations and reference letters
- Learn and develop transferrable skills
Volunteer Recognition
CentraState Healthcare System is proud of our volunteers, and we honor them in the following ways:
- Annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon:Â CentraState honors our adult volunteers who have more than 100 service hours at this annual luncheon.
- CentraState Associated Auxiliaries Scholarship: Many of our volunteers have received the CentraState Associated Auxiliaries Scholarship. Every year, (3) scholarships are offered to two high school seniors and one adult pursuing a career in health care, who also live and volunteer in the CentraState service areas.