Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer applications are no longer being accepted for the 2024-2025 school year 

Volunteer Services

Volunteer Orientation

Our goal is to meet the needs of our patients and community by delivering quality service that reflects the Northfield Hospital + Clinics standard of care, and to provide a meaningful experience for our volunteers.  Volunteers have fun, meet interesting people, obtain career-related experience, and leave a lasting impression on patients and residents.

Volunteer Requirements

  • Apply online to volunteer
  • Screening Process (can take up to 1 month)
    • Attend a 1 ½ hour orientation session
    • Agree to a State of Minnesota Department of Human Services Background Study
    • Complete a Volunteer Pre-Placement Health Evaluation
  • Commit to 2 hours/week of volunteer service, minimum of 30 volunteer hours and 6 months 
  • Obtain a parental signature if applicant is under 18 years of age (applicants must be at least 16 years old)
  • Carleton and St. Olaf students
    • Volunteer applications are no longer being accepted for the 2024-2025 school year 
    • First year St. Olaf and Carleton students are not eligible to volunteer until Sophomore year.
    • Must commit to a full school year and 30 volunteer hours


Benefits of Volunteering with Northfield Hospital + Clinics

  • Free Flu Vaccinations every fall
  • General good feeling for volunteering time and talents to help others!


Volunteer Opportunity Directory

Breast Care Center

  • Monday-Friday -  2-4 hour shifts   between 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
  • Greet patients, appointment reminder phone calls, make coffee, light organizing/cleaning

Cancer Care & Infusion Center

  • Tuesday-Friday - 2-4 hours shifts between 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 
  • Greet patients, make coffee, light organizing/cleaning, clerical projects

Rehabilitation Services - Northfield  (off campus)

  • Monday-Friday - 2-hour shifts  between 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 
  • Restock items, sanitize, organize lobby, pull charts, copying, greet patients as appropriate

Emergency Department

  • Weekends 7a.m. - 12 p.m. and 7p.m.-11p.m. 4-hour shifts   
  • Clean rooms, restock linen, sanitize areas, courier specimens/paperwork/equipment
  • Volunteers must be 18 years of age of older

Knitting, Crocheting, & Sewing  (We are not accepting baby hat donations at this time)

  • Make baby hats and stockings for newborns in the Birth Center (at-home volunteer opportunity)
  • Make blankets for Long Term Care families

Meals on Wheels

  • 6 days a week - Lunch hour shifts 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. 
  • Pick up prepared meals at hospital and deliver to community members per specified route.

Medical-Surgical Floor

  • 7 days a week, 2-hour shifts
  • Assist Med/Surg staff as needed/Concierge Program Visit patients and families.  

Surgery Center

  • Monday-Wednesday, 4-hour shifts between 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.  
  • Greet and support family members, make coffee, clerical projects.

Birth Center

  • 7 days a week, 2-hour shifts 
  • Greet patients and families
  • Light organizing/cleaning
  • Clerical projects

For more information or to become a volunteer at Northfield Hospital + Clinics, call   (507) 646-1036.

HELP   video for Volunteer Orientation

Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC)