Phone: 757-388-3461

We appreciate your interest in joining our Sentara Norfolk General Hospital Volunteer Team. Volunteering at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital is fulfilling and impactful. It allows you to support the hospital staff, connect with diverse individuals, enhance the overall patient experience, gain valuable exposure to the healthcare field, and make a positive difference in the community.

Sentara Norfolk General Hospital offers various volunteer opportunities for different interests and skill sets. Whether you have a passion for providing comfort and companionship, assisting with patient transport, helping with wayfinding around the hospital, providing administrative support, or helping to organize special events, your contribution is invaluable. 

Many of our volunteers donate their time and expertise to the Gift Shop, Surgical Waiting Areas, Information Desks, Outpatient Pharmacy, Inpatient Units, Women's Health, and several other hospital areas. In addition to clerical and clinical positions, Sentara Norfolk General Hospital volunteers interact with our patients through programs such as Arms of Love, Pet Therapy, the Patient & Family Advisory Council, and many others. 
Our adult volunteers over the age of 18 are offered flexible schedules to accommodate their lifestyles and are required to contribute at least 4 hours per week. College students are required to commit to 100 volunteer hours before we produce a record of hours. Opportunities are also available for junior volunteers ages 15-18, wishing to volunteer during the summer months and through the school year after attending an initial summer program.

Volunteer benefits

  • Opportunity to serve others
  • Free health screenings and vaccines
  • Discount on non-prescription over-the-counter drugs available in the hospital pharmacies
  • WorkPerks discount (discounts on various local business, i.e., movie tickets, park tickets, etc.)
  • Meal credit per shift
  • Designated parking
  • Awards and recognition programs
  • Special events

It is our goal to place volunteers in areas of interest. Depending on the department, we have shifts available in the mornings, afternoons, evenings, and the weekends.

Volunteer placement areas

  • Lobbies and waiting rooms
  • Inpatient nursing units
  • Emergency department
  • Diagnostic and procedural areas
  • Women's health
  • Cancer services
  • Office environments
  • Community/employee engagement events
  • Special programs

SNGH Adult Volunteer Application

SNGH College Volunteer Application

SNGH Junior Volunteer Application

SNGH Pet Therapy Volunteer Application

Contact the Team Coordinator, Volunteer services: (757) 388-3461 SNGHVOLUNTEERS@sentara.com

Our values

Sentara values people, quality, safety, service, and integrity. The Sentara patient-centered care philosophy recognizes the perspectives of patients and their families as a valuable resource to fulfilling our mission, values, and vision. Our Patient & Family Advisory Councils (PFACs) represent a community partnership, built by developing and nurturing an ongoing relationship. Sentara encourages the involvement of patients and families in shaping our healthcare services, and we invite you to join us!

Share your voice

Sentara is proud to provide volunteer opportunities and support across our system through our Patient & Family Advisory Councils. Members of these councils commit their time, efforts, and talents to serve as a voice of our community on a variety of healthcare programs and projects. Working together, we support our mission "to improve health every day."

Who would make a good PFAC member?

Someone who can:

  • be a good listener
  • respect others' perspectives
  • be interested in more than one component of healthcare
  • see beyond his or her own experiences
  • show genuine compassion and concern for the well-being of others
  • interact well with a variety of people with diverse backgrounds
  • be a good partner
  • have realistic expectations

Two options to join - to learn about joining: