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Volunteering at Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center

Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center volunteers are compassionate helpers who donate their time and skills to support our staff, physicians, patients and their families. Our volunteers are dedicated people who approach their critical roles with the same commitment to the St. Joseph Medical Center core values of Reverence, Integrity, Compassion and Excellence as our professional staff.

For everyone from high school and college students interested in learning more about the medical field to retirees who want to make a difference in their community, we do our best to match your skills and talents as a volunteer to the needs of our medical center. 

What’s good for us is also good for you. Brooke Hertzler, a Penn State Health clinical psychologist and licensed clinical social worker, says those good feelings you get from helping others are good for your body, too. Learn how volunteering can improve your health in this Medical Minute.

What are the volunteer eligibility requirements?

At St. Joseph Medical Center all volunteers must meet the following criteria:

  • Commit to 100 hours of volunteering in a 12-month period
  • Commit to a schedule of one four-hour shift per week – same day and time (additional hours may be available)
  • Be at least 16 years old
  • Attend an interview with a Volunteer Services representative
  • Provide information on immunizations
  • Comply with mandated background check clearances for the Pennsylvania State Police criminal history check, Pennsylvania Child Abuse History and FBI criminal history
  • Provide references

What is the volunteer application process?

Summer Junior Volunteer Program

The Summer Junior Volunteer Program provides high school students ages 16 to 18 the opportunity to gain insight and firsthand knowledge of the hospital’s day-to-day operations while giving back to their community. Junior volunteers have the ability to explore career interests, build connections, develop a variety of personal and professional skills and gain a sense of fulfillment as they make a meaningful impact in the lives of others.

Roles associated with this program are non-clinical service roles only (not to be confused with internship roles or educational shadowing roles). Junior volunteers do not directly work with any of our clinical professionals in an educational capacity (i.e. shadowing, receiving coaching/mentorship, observational experiences, etc.). Junior volunteers serve our patients, visitors and staff (depending on the assigned role).

Program Details

  • Program dates: June 16 – August 15, 2025:
    • Shifts available Monday through Friday
    • Shifts available between 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Junior volunteers are required to complete a minimum 50 hours of service by the end of the program:
    • Before deciding to apply, applicants should ensure they can commit to the program taking into consideration any vacations, summer/early fall academic commitments, sports camps or other activities that may conflict with their volunteering schedule.
  • The number of available positions is based on the needs of the hospital departments.
  • Positions are primarily located at Bern Campus, 2500 Bernville Road, Reading; however, there may be positions available at various locations around Berks County.
  • Junior volunteers are responsible for their own transportation to and from the program.

Application, Interview and Selection Details

  • Application period: February 1 – March 15, 2025 
  • Required application documents: check back here at the opening of the application period to apply and submit documents:
    • Application 
    • Two professional letters of recommendation:
      • References should be from teachers, coaches, community leaders, etc.  
      • References should not be from family members, friends, etc.  
    • A minimum 200-word essay detailing why you would like to volunteer and why you think you would be a good fit for the program.
    • Photo ID: if you do not have a legal ID a school ID is acceptable.
  • Volunteer services application review: March 17-31, 2025 
  • Interviews: rolling through April (you will be contacted about an interview if selected):
    • Various topics such as volunteer roles, schedules, attendance requirements and dress code will be discussed during the interview.
    • Various roles and their descriptions can be found on our volunteer home page.
  • Submission of an application does not guarantee an interview.
  • An interview does not guarantee acceptance into the program.
  • If an applicant is going to be a graduating senior in 2025, they are still welcome to apply. 
  • Students that have served in the high school internship program are not eligible to apply.

Onboarding Details

  • All onboarding requirements including additional paperwork, immunizations, clearances, orientation and training must be completed by June 10.
    • Some documents that will be required during onboarding if accepted into the program are:
      • Vaccinations
        • Hepatitis B
        • Varicella
        • Rubella 
        • Rubeola (Measles)
        • Mumps
        • TDAP
          • Completed within the last 10 years
        • Influenza: not mandatory, but highly recommended
        • Covid19 vaccination: not mandatory but highly recommended 
      • Tuberculosis test 
        • Completed within 10 weeks of start of the volunteer services 
        • Can be 2-step PPD (skin test) or IGRA blood test
    • PATCH Clearance
    • Child Abuse Clearance
    • FBI Fingerprint Clearance

Volunteer Opportunities

We have immediate volunteer opportunities in the following areas:

  • Information desks: Volunteers are needed to greet and direct families, patients and visitors. Various shifts are available throughout the day beginning at 7 a.m.
  • Book cart: Volunteers are needed to distribute free books, magazines, reading glasses, puzzles and lap quilts to non-isolation patient rooms and waiting rooms on the Bern campus.
  • Military appreciation campaigns: Volunteers create symbols of tribute and thanks for active and veteran members of our armed forces.

Other volunteer opportunities include:

  • Clerical
  • Reception
  • Patient services
  • Certified pet therapy
  • Hospitality 

These opportunities are subject to change, as the needs of the Medical Center change.

Donations

Your donations greatly impact our patients as comfort items and spirit-lifters during their healing journey. We cannot accept items that have been stored in environments such as garages, basements, storage lockers, etc. Donated items should be free of mold/mildew, smoke, pet and musty odors. We currently accept:

  • New books, magazines and activity books such as sudoku, crossword, word searches, etc. (multilingual with a particular emphasis on Spanish-language materials).  
    • We do not accept textbooks. 
  • New and used reading glasses (various powers)
  • New puzzles and games: standard playing cards, card games, checkers, chess, dominoes, etc. Finished puzzle size should not exceed 14 inches wide by 12 inches high.
  • New stuffed animals
  • New art supplies: crayons, colored and regular pencils, pencil sharpeners, origami, sketch books, coloring books (child and adult)
  • Handcrafted items: quilts/blankets, hats, prayer shawls (child and adult sizes); eyeglass cases, neck pillows, etc.
  • Cardiology therapy pillows: please contact Volunteer Services for specific measurement requirements.

Please contact Volunteer Services for donation drop-off arrangements and questions.

Contact Us 

If you have questions about volunteering at St. Joseph Medical Center, please email Janis Andrzjewski, Volunteer Services coordinator or Carolyn Garcia, interim Volunteer Services manager or call 610-378-2000.