Volunteer Opportunities
Welcome to Massachusetts Eye and Ear Volunteers! Join our diverse team of volunteers and see how you can make a difference to our patients, visitors, and staff. Our Adult and Student Programs offer a variety of opportunities and time commitments to match your interest. The first step to become a volunteer is to choose a program and complete the application. Applicants must meet all program requirements to apply.
Our volunteers play an important role as members of the Mass Eye and Ear community. They provide the extra support that can help make the patient experience easier. Volunteers work in a variety of areas including:
- Specimen Transport and Patient Escort
- Surgical Center
- Surgical Chart Room
- Family Waiting Room
- Adult Inpatient Unit
- Pediatric Inpatient Unit and Child Life Program
The Volunteer Department works to match interested volunteers with appropriate and compatible assignments. Volunteering has its own special rewards and we are confident that you will gain a sense of satisfaction and a feeling of accomplishment. We invite you to join our volunteer community.
Adult Volunteer Programs
This is the perfect program for working adults, retirees, or any adult looking for a unique experience in a hospital setting. Adults over the age of 18 may submit our online application 15 to 30 days prior to their start date. You can apply any time of the year.
Requirements
- Must be 18 years or older
- Must volunteer a minimum of 4 months after training
- Must be available to volunteer at least once a week for 3 to 5 hours
- Weekends/evenings are very limited, and typically not available
*Assignments/times may vary based on availability
*Number of shifts available will vary based on the needs of the hospital
*The start and end date is subject to change based on requirements and training dates
Student Volunteer Programs
Mass Eye and Ear offers several volunteer programs for high school and college students.
The Clinical Exploratory Program offers a wholesome volunteer experience to undergraduate college students. It is divided into two experiences, followed by a final clinical experience
Goals
- To serve our community of patients, families, and visitors
- To educate students about the culture of working in a hospital
- To provide a wholesome experience to our student volunteers that would help them decide about their careers
The Clinical Exploratory Program (CEP) has a 10-month commitment.
To learn more about the CEP, and to apply, please click on the link below.
Overview
This program was developed to offer a wholesome experience to out-of-state undergraduate student volunteers. Exceptions to local students can be made. It is divided into two summers and two winters (about 30 weeks total) followed by a final clinical experience. Applicants must meet all requirements.
Summers: Most colleges offer their summer breaks between early/mid of May to the day after Labor Day in early September. Applicants should be able to complete 11 to 12 weeks during the summer.
Winters: Typically, winter breaks begin mid of December and end mid of January. Applicants should be able to complete 3 to 4 weeks during the winter.
Clinical Experience
Volunteers end the program by choosing a final experience. It could be shadowing an anesthesiologist (may include observing the OR), observe at one of our labs, or observe in the OR, or shadow in Eye Pathology. Volunteers may also be paired with one of our physicians to do a shadow experience if available. Placements will be based on seniority, scheduling and availability.
Application period: March 1 to April 30
Requirements
- Must be a full-time student in a health care career path
- Must attend an out-of-state college (exceptions for local students can be made case-by-case)
- Must be 18 years or older
- Must volunteer for two summers and two winters consecutively
- Must start the program in the summer (exceptions to start in the winter can be made case-by-case)
- Must complete at least 30 weeks of volunteering
- Must be available to volunteer twice a week for shifts 3 to 5 hours long
- Weekends/evenings are very limited, and typically not available
*Assignments may vary based on availability
*Number of shifts available will vary based on the needs of the hospital
*The start and end date is subject to change based on requirements and training dates
Contact
Please email volunteer@meei.harvard.edu for more information.
Include your contact information, telephone number and your summer break start and end dates. We will get back to you promptly.
Please find further details about this program under “What is the process for underage volunteers?” Please choose between sessions 1 and 2.
- Summer Session 1 (Must volunteer for at least 7 weeks in June and July. Must be 16 years old by June 1, 2025). Application will be available the first Monday of March, 2025. Please check back on that date.
- Summer Session 2 (Must volunteer for at least 7 weeks in July and August. Must be 16 years old by July 1, 2025). Application will be available the first Monday of April, 2025. Please check back on that date.
Prospects can only participate in one session per year.
Prospects must meet our minimum time requirement to apply.
Prospects will be contacted for an in-person interview within a week of receiving applications.
Completion of this application does not guarantee you a volunteer position.
Please email us at volunteer@meei.harvard.edu if you have any questions regarding this process.
Volunteer Information
Mass Eye and Ear welcomes volunteers including students, homemakers, retirees and working professionals with full- and part-time jobs. Our volunteer program runs seven days a week, days and evenings. You can select the time and day that works best for you. We seek individuals who are 16 years of age and older and who can give at least three consecutive hours of service one day a week for a minimum of four months. The number of hours served weekly changes depending on the volunteer role or program.
Volunteers ages 16 and 17 can participate in the summer or regular program as long as they have a parental consent. We offer a summer program for high school students between June and August. It is eight consecutive weeks long offered in two sessions: Summer Session I (June-July), and Summer Session II (July-August). Underage volunteers can only volunteer during weekdays, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm for a maximum of 2 shifts per week. Each shift is 4-5 hours long. High School volunteers are placed in areas with direct adult supervision and high patient or staff interaction. Our goal is to provide a great learning experience with opportunity for personal growth.
In cases where underage prospects have more flexibility, the requirements and policies remain the same but the opportunity expands to all year long. This allows college students under 18 years old to volunteer during their spring and fall semesters.
There are several ways to volunteer, both at the Main Campus at 243 Charles Street and our location at 800 Huntington Avenue. In each setting, volunteers have the option of a variety of assignments. We do our best to match your unique interests, skills and talents to a compatible volunteer assignment so that you will have an enjoyable and rewarding volunteer experience.
Adults over the age of 18 may submit our online application.
16- and 17-year-old high school students: Please visit our section “Summer Program (For High School Students)" for information and application. If you can volunteer during the school year between 9am to 5pm during school days, please email us at volunteer@meei.harvard.edu
Prospects will be contacted for an in-person interview shortly after we receive your application. Completion of this application does not guarantee you a volunteer position.
Milton S. Calderon
Manager
617-573-3164
milton_calderon@meei.harvard.edu
General Volunteer Questions:
617-807-7878
volunteer@meei.harvard.edu
