Bismarck Volunteer Opportunities

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Give Your Time as a Sanford Health Volunteer

Sanford Bismarck is eagerly looking for individuals interested in giving back to their community. Our volunteers serve with the same mission, vision and values as our employees. They’re dedicated people whose work benefits patients, their families and our medical teams.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Sanford Health. We appreciate your community spirit and look forward to welcoming you to our family of caregivers.

Volunteer Opportunities Menu

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Requirements and Programs

Volunteer Prerequisites

Requirements:

  • Volunteers must be at least 16 years old. Some positions require volunteers to be at least 21 years old.
  • Volunteers must be able to communicate clearly in English.
  • We cannot accept volunteers who are meeting court-mandated community service hours.

Prospective volunteers must complete the following process:

  • Application
  • Interview
  • Criminal background check
  • Employee health assessment, which includes:
    • Review of vaccination record (MMR, Chickenpox, Hepatitis B, Tdap, and Influenza)
    • Blood test for Tuberculosis
  • General orientation: one hour session covering volunteer polices and required training
  • Department orientation based on volunteer role  

Our patients and families deserve the very best. We need people who:

  • Display competency and can learn the position and remember details.
  • Are compassionate and sympathetic to the stress of hospitalization.
  • Will defend a patient’s right to privacy. Our volunteers are held to a strict code of confidentiality.
  • Are respectful. We serve all walks of life, economic statuses and a diverse patient population.

For Committed Volunteers

Our year-round program is for individuals who commit to volunteering for a full year (12 months) or longer. Volunteers are required to commit to a regular two- to four-hour shift on a weekly or biweekly basis.

Experience a Health Care Setting

Our student program is open to students interested in volunteering in health care for a semester.

  • Volunteers must commit to a regular two- to four-hour shift on a weekly basis. They may need to pay a $20 uniform deposit, which will be fully refunded when they return their badge and uniform to Volunteer Services.
  • Our summer program begins in June and runs through mid-August. The application deadline is May 1.
  • Our fall semester program begins in September and runs through December. Applications are due by Aug. 15.
  • Our spring semester program begins in January and runs through May. Applications are due by Dec. 15.

Frequently Asked Questions

I would like to find employment at Sanford Bismarck. Am I guaranteed a job by volunteering?

No. All employment is arranged through our human resources department.

Are there any opportunities in the evenings or on the weekends?

Yes, but opportunities are limited and usually fill up quickly due to their popularity. Look for or ask about volunteer opportunities with Sanford Bismarck that have evening or weekend availability if you’re restricted to those times.

Do you offer opportunities to shadow physicians or other medical staff?

We don’t currently offer shadowing opportunities.

How long does the application process take? Can I start right away?

The entire application process usually takes three to four weeks to complete. We highly encourage applicants to begin the process up to one month before they would like to begin volunteering.

How many hours do most volunteers work?

Most volunteers start out with a weekly two- to four-hour shift. Volunteers who are interested in picking up additional shifts should discuss their options with their coordinator. Both flexible and regular weekly scheduling are available.

I’m interested in working in a position where I can observe physicians working with patients. Is that possible?

Volunteers will not usually have the opportunity to observe physicians working with patients during their volunteer work.

I don’t see the position I’m interested in on the listing of opportunities. Can I request to volunteer in a department that isn’t listed?

Not every department has a need or the resources to accommodate volunteers. Only those listed can effectively use volunteers’ services.

I need to fulfill community service hours. Can I do that through Sanford Bismarck? What about court-ordered community service hours?

It depends. We can’t accept volunteers with misdemeanor or felony charges other than minor driving violations. Also, all volunteers must be able to fulfill the required six-month commitment regardless of the number of hours they need.

I only need 12 volunteer hours for a class. Do you have opportunities that would fulfill this requirement?

Unfortunately, no. We ask our volunteers for a six-month or 50-hour commitment. Check out Volunteer Bisman for short-term volunteer opportunities.

Will I need to pay for the required health screening?

No. All medical screenings involved with volunteering are covered if completed through our employee health services.