Volunteer at Karmanos Cancer Institute - Detroit & Farmington Hills
Volunteering for the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute is a rewarding opportunity, giving you the chance to make a difference in the lives of our patients and their families. Since 1935, cancer patients in metropolitan Detroit have benefited from the care of thousands of our devoted volunteers.
We rely heavily on our caring volunteers throughout the community in many important capacities to further our work of eradicating cancer while improving the lives of those diagnosed with the disease.
If you are interested in volunteering please complete the online application.
Volunteer Positions
Volunteer opportunities at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute are all patient-focused. Each position plays a vital role in providing quality patient care with personal service and a strong support network to patients, their families and their caregivers. Most positions require volunteers during business working hours. Whether our patients need directions or simply a newspaper to read while they wait, we will do everything to ensure that they have the best experience possible. Our volunteers include high school students, professionals, service club members, homemakers, medical students, and retirees.
Hospitality/Clinical Volunteer
Hours: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Friday
Location: Main Campus - Detroit (Infusion, Comfort Cart, Inpatient units)
Responsibilities: This volunteer position provides caring support to patients and families in treatment areas to ensure an excellent outpatient experience.
- Assist with engaging visitors in friendly conversation within the patient treatment areas.
- Assist nursing staff by running errands and labs, putting away supplies.
- Working with patients receiving chemotherapy treatments, providing lunch, snacks, drinks, blankets and pillows.
- Circulate in patient waiting areas to provide directional assistance and wayfinding.
- Anticipate the needs of patients and family members and strive to exceed their expectations.
- Provide patients and family members with information about Karmanos Cancer Institute.
- Anticipate the needs of patients and family members, striving to exceed their expectations.
Clerical Support
Hours: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday - Friday
Location: Main Campus - Detroit, Weisberg - Farmington Hills
Responsibilities: This volunteer position provides flexible day-to-day support with filing, data entry, mailings, answering phones, and assembly of projects. Good communication and computer skills are needed.
- Putting new volunteer files together.
- Maintain files and materials in an orderly fashion, replenish forms as appropriate, and notify staff when materials need to be replaced.
- Assist with special projects and assignments.
- Preparing mailing and copying.
Educational Resource Center
Hours: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday – Friday
Location: Main Campus - Detroit
Responsibilities: This volunteer position provide patients and visitors with cancer-related educational information in the clinical and waiting areas.
- Assist and support nursing staff with patient educational program set-up, check-in and organize presentation materials.
- Stock and organize the patient educational materials and materials for community education events.
Navigator Volunteers
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday – Friday
Location: Main Campus - Detroit
Responsibilities: Volunteers serve as personal guides, accompanying newly diagnosed cancer patients to their first appointment and assisting with wheelchair transportation
- Make the center feel less intimidating by creating a warm and welcoming environment.
- Greet new patients at registration desk and escort them to their first visit.
- Assist with wheelchair transportation.
- Provide appropriate emotional support and comfort while patients are waiting for appointments.
- Respond to questions regarding cancer information resources and support services. Give appropriate referrals.
- Assist with handing out knitted chemo hats and lap blankets
Weisberg/Hospitality Volunteer
Hours: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Friday
Location: Weisberg - Farmington Hills
Responsibilities: Volunteers are needed in the outpatient clinics to provide a warm and welcoming presence to patients and their families or caregivers. Circulate in the waiting areas and open clinic rooms, while engaging in friendly conversation with patients as deemed appropriate. Minimum age: 25
- Maintain nourishment center and assist with visitor refreshments.
- Assist with basic clerical support, including filing, data entry, mailings, and assembly of projects.
- Maintain healthy relationships by communicating with patients and their families.
- Organize the resource room when needed and advise staff when education supplies get low.
Other Patient Support Services: Pet Therapy / Musicians
Hours: Monday – Friday; times may vary
Location: Main Campus - Detroit, Weisberg - Farmington Hills (Inpatient and Outpatient areas)
Responsibilities: These special volunteers and their handlers provide both psychological and physiological benefits to the patient experience. These therapies facilitate a less clinical and more comfortable environment for patients and their families or caregivers.
Pet Therapy
- Assist with changing routine clinical environments into a warmer friendly one.
- Appropriate immunizations, animal obedience, and control are a must.
- Provide animal bed side comfort on in patient floors.
Musicians
- Provide soothing comforting music to patients, caregivers, staff and families in our outpatient setting, primarily in the waiting and reception areas.
Fundraising/Third Party
Hours: Vary with each event Monday – Sunday
Location: Detroit and the Tri-county area
Responsibilities: Our Third Party Events (Friends Raising Funds) program is made up of dedicated individuals and organizations who raise funds and awareness for Karmanos Cancer Institute throughout the year.
- Provide volunteer support at events such as golf outings, walks, or galas.
- Provide educational material to individuals or organizations with volunteer support.
- Provide speakers to address guests at fundraising events to thank them for their support.
- Provide event participant check-in, raffle ticket sales, water distribution, and auction monitors.
Additional Volunteer Information
All of our volunteers are required to review the following information to ensure your safety and security, as well as for the protection of our patients.
Please click on the links below to view the orientation modules:
Questions?
For any questions you may have regarding volunteering for the Karmanos Cancer Institute please contact 313-576-9289, or email volunteer@karmanos.org.