Volunteer at Hi-Desert Medical Center

Make a Difference, Become a Hospital Volunteer

Looking to give back to your community or gain some real-world vocational experience? Look no further. Volunteer at Hi-Desert Medical Center and feel the satisfaction of knowing you’re helping countless others feel supported and cared for in your own community. Our volunteers are a compassionate group who bring us their dedication, time, and heart. Whether you are a student interested in gaining career experience or a community member who would like to invest resources to better the health and well-being of your community—we have opportunities for you!

“We value our volunteers as we could not be successful without their gracious investment of time and resources. Our volunteers are the smiling faces our patients and visitors see as they walk through the door. Our volunteers are those that provide that extra special care, concern, and level of customer service which only enhance what our employees and leadership provide every day. We commit to invest in our volunteers and ask that they see us as a resource for their own future success.”

—Karen Faulis, Chief Executive Officer of Hi-Desert Medical Center

Volunteer Opportunities

Hi-Desert Medical Center VolunTeen Program

Our VolunTeen Program is comprised of volunteers who are between the ages of 16-18 years old. These students are required to maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA. Our Volunteer Coordinator will ensure that VolunTeens can secure a schedule that enhances their education and works with their unique schedules.  Our VolunTeens will gain exposure in many areas of Hi-Desert Medical Center and its services. Our community youth will receive valuable exposure in order to make informed decisions regarding their next steps of education and future! Please fill out the VolunTeen application below to get started!

Hi-Desert Medical Center Volunteer Program

Our Volunteer Program provides opportunities for adults over 18 years of age. Hi-Desert Medical Center partners with Copper Mountain College in matching students who are in need of vocational experience with volunteer opportunities that are specific to their area of career interest.  Our Volunteer Coordinator will ensure that Volunteers can secure a schedule that enhances their education and works with their unique schedules. Please fill out the Volunteer application below to get started!

No One Dies Alone Volunteer Program

The Hi-Desert Medical Center chaplaincy team oversees the No One Dies Alone Program in the acute care setting. Any employee, volunteer of Hi-Desert Medical Center or community member may volunteer as an end-of-life Compassionate Companion through this program.

Each volunteer may choose the time, date and number of hours to serve as a Compassionate Companion for a patient who has no family or friends. The program provides for quiet reading, perhaps holding a hand or playing background music. Being there is the most important thing. Our goal through this program is to provide each patient who is nearing the end of their life, support, comfort, and dignity. Please fill out the Volunteer application below and indicate that you are specifically interested in the No One Dies Alone Program.

"No one should die alone … each human should die with the sight of a loving face.”

—Mother Teresa

Hospice Volunteer Program

Our Hi-Desert Medical Center Hospice Volunteers are unique in that they feel called to this specific type of giving back. Our Hospice Volunteers feel passionate about providing an extra level of support for the patient and their family and friends as they go through a very difficult time of adjustment and grieving. Volunteers make visits to patients at home or in skilled nursing facilities, offering friendship and diversion with sensitive listening. They may sit with a patient, do errands, read to the patient, and provide support and encouragement. Please fill out the Volunteer application below and indicate that you are specifically interested in the Hospice Volunteer Program.

Patient Care Ambassador Program

The Patient Care Ambassador assists the Emergency Department staff in managing the needs of the patients and their loved ones. Individuals in this role facilitate communication between the clinical staff and patients, reduce anxiety and suffering and enhance the Emergency Department experience for our visitors.

Candidates must have a friendly and empathetic personality. Candidates must be willing to work with individuals of various cultures, backgrounds and races. Candidates must have a desire to work with individuals in the midst of crisis, possess good conflict resolution skills and maintain confidentiality. Please note that this opportunity is available to candidates 21+.

Hi-Desert Medical Center Auxiliary

Hi-Desert Medical Center has been very fortunate to have dedicated longstanding volunteers serve in a 501c3 non-profit entity which is known as the Hi-Desert Medical Center Auxiliary. They oversee the Auxiliary hospital gift shop, the Auxiliary Thrift Store located in downtown Joshua Tree, and volunteer their time in many departments throughout the hospital such as out-patient services, the Continuing Care Center, Imaging and more.

The primary function of the Auxiliary is to raise money through membership dues, revenue through their thrift store, gift shop, and their annual fundraising events. The Auxiliary has historically donated thousands of dollars to enhance the medical services at Hi-Desert Medical Center. The Auxiliary is comprised of volunteers who wish to invest their time and resources in the community’s healthcare to provide a better, healthier future for the generations to come. Last year alone, the Auxiliary donated over 12,000 hours of their time.

The Auxiliary has donated funds for things such as building the Helen Gray Education Center which benefits the hospital employees and many community groups. Most recently, the Auxiliary donated funds to assist the Morongo Basin Healthcare District to purchase a new van in order to impact those patients who cannot get to their needed treatment at the hospital or other healthcare resources due to a transportation barrier. Are you interested in plugging into this special community of volunteers? Please fill out the Volunteer application below and indicate that you are specifically interested in joining the Auxiliary. The Auxiliary would prefer a minimum membership commitment of one year given the community focus of this unique opportunity.

Auxiliary Membership Levels

Active membership: $10 per year. All volunteers must hold membership in the Auxiliary.

Patron membership: $15 per year (monetary support, inactive membership).

Life membership: $100 one-time membership with no additional dues. Participation in Auxiliary affairs and volunteer service is encouraged, but not mandatory.