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 Junior 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 vaccines.
Junior Volunteer Sessions
Student Volunteer Summer 2025
- Return students only: The Return to Volunteer Form will be emailed on March 7th. (Due: March 15th by 4:00pm)
- Interest Forms Accepted: January 1 2025- March 8, 2025.
- Applications Accepted: March 1st, 2025 through April 1st by 4:00pm.
- Service Commitment: June 23rd, 2025 through September 1st, 2025
Student Volunteer Fall 2025: The Fall 2025 Session is for Return Volunteer Students only and No New Applications will be Accepted
* Return students only: The Return to Volunteer Form will be emailed on July 8. (Due: July 15 by 4:00pm)
Summer 2025 Session is closed for Interest Forms. Previously received applications are due by April 1 at 4pm
Returning Junior Volunteers
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 ages 18 to 99) are a dedicated and loyal part of our team at CentraState. Volunteering is an excellent way to stay active, socialize and provide valuable skills to the community.
If you are a college student, please call 732-294-2622 to discuss your volunteer goals prior to applying so that we can ensure our program will fit your needs and timeline. Our volunteer program does not include shadowing or direct physician contact. Please note that adult volunteer orientation is by invite only.
College Summer 2025 Applications are Now Closed
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 an interview with the Volunteer Services Team 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 and accumulate community service hours. Our donation menu can assist you with information about accepted items and project details, including supplies, directions, guidelines and safety requirements. We appreciate your kindness and generosity.
Please read the procedures below for donation drop-offs.
- The Donation Intake Form must be printed and filled out when you drop off your donation or we cannot accept it.
- A Receipt of Purchase must be presented when donations are dropped off (for purchased items only, not handmade items) or donation cannot be accepted.
- Donations are accepted Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m. No appointment necessary. We do not accept donations on holidays that fall on these days.
- To drop off your donation, please come to Outpatient Entrance 4 and call 732-294-2622 when you arrive. Let us know when you call if a cart is needed to carry donations.
- All donations must be new.
Credit for Community Service Hours: Click here for the Donation Intake Form that will be needed for drop-offs. Please print and bring with you in order to get credit for community service hours.
Donation Menu: Click here to download the the Donation Menu.
Financial Donations: Click here to visit the CentraState Health Foundation website and learn about financial donations and how they benefit our community.
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 looking forward to the 2024-2025 Session.
Thank you for your interest in the Healthcare Explorers Program. The 2024-2025 program is now closed and applications are no longer being 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. 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 the due date on the Application.
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.
Blood Drives
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.
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 |
| Wednesday, June 4 | 2pm – 7pm | Jack Aaronson Conference Center |
| Friday, August 15 | 1pm – 6pm | Jack Aaronson Conference Center |
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: 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.