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The Human Touch: Volunteering To Help Our Patients & Community

Volunteer and doctor by patient's side after surgeryLasers, microscopes, and state-of-the-art technology enable our Medical Staff to restore vision, hearing and speech, but it is the personal involvement of so many people that enables The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary to achieve its modern miracles with a human touch.

Our Volunteers are very important people at The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary. They may range in age from high school students to retired professionals, from all walks of life and many different cultures, but all are a special kind of person who freely gives of his or her time and energy.

Through the years, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary volunteers have served diligently to add those extra measures to comfort the sick, or people who need to be guided, or families who need assistance. In their highly valuable positions, volunteers make things happen...whether it is directing visitors and patients at the Information Desk, helping stock vital areas such as the Operating Rooms, or reading to a patient recovering from surgery.

Volunteer helps a patient post-op

Why Volunteer?

Ask The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary's volunteers why they choose to devote their time to a health care facility, and they all reply: "We feel so needed...we receive so much personal satisfaction." People volunteer for many reasons:

  • a chance to add credentials when seeking job references,
  • a chance to make new friends,
  • a chance for younger people to learn more about health, care professions,
  • a chance for retired persons to remain active in the community.

Above all, volunteers enjoy real satisfaction that comes from helping others.

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Opportunities & Assignments

Some of the many areas in which volunteers find challenging assignments include:
  • Administration
  • Admitting
  • Ambulatory Care Centers
  • Central Supply
  • Communication Sciences
  • Finance
  • Food Service
  • Glaucoma Services
  • Housekeeping
  • Human Resources
  • Information Desk
  • Intraocular Lens Office
  • Laundry
  • Mailroom
  • Managed Care
  • Medical Library
  • Medical Records
  • Nursing Administration
  • Nursing Units
  • Operating Room
  • Ophthalmology
  • Orthoptics
  • Otolaryngology
  • Pharmacy
  • Plant Operations
  • Pre-Surgical Testing
  • Radiology
  • Recovery Room
  • Registration
  • Retinal Diagnostic Center
  • Social Services

How to Become a Volunteer

The entire process takes about 2 weeks. Once all the prerequisites are met, you are ready to enter the rewarding world of volunteerism!

1

Call the Volunteer Services Department to schedule an appointment for an interview.

2

During the interview, we will discuss your special skills and interests and review available options.

3

After the interview, reference forms are sent to people who know you well and as well as a medical form for your family doctor.

4

You must receive medical clearance for tuberculosis and rubella before you can begin volunteering. These tests can be done free of charge in The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary's Employee Health Service.

5

You must receive medical clearance for tuberculosis and rubella befo re you can begin volunteering. These tests can be done free of charge in the Infirmary's Employee Health Service.

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Read About The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary

History and Mission

We have been providing specialty care to the community for over 180 years! Find out how it all started and the values and goals we still stand strongly by... 

Location & Directions

Career Opportunities

View current job openings for paid positions.

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Contact Information

Alma Figueroa, Director of Volunteer Services
310 E. 14th Street
Basement-South Bldg.
New York, NY  10003 (in Manhattan)
TEL: (212) 979-4462
FAX: (212) 353-5728

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