Volunteer Services
Volunteering at UNC Health Rex has been a community tradition since the 1920s. Thanks to the dedication and generosity of the members of our community, UNC Health Rex benefits from nearly 150,000 volunteer hours each year.
UNC Health Rex is in need of quality, caring people to become a part of our hospital volunteer family. We are currently looking for individuals who are compassionate enthusiastic, qualified and committed to making a difference.
Available Volunteer Programs
UNC Health Rex offers many unique opportunities including an adult, college and VolunTEEN program. All programs require an application, an interview and completion of a training course.
Spotlight Volunteer Position Opportunities
Required Time Commitment
All applicants are required to commit to a minimum of six months of volunteering in order to best serve the hospital. Applicants must be able to commit to volunteering on a weekly basis for 2-4 hours each week.
Newborn Care Fund
If you do not meet the requirements listed above or cannot commit to more than a year of service, please consider making a donation to our Newborn Care Fund.
Donate Now to the Newborn Care Fund!
Additional Volunteer Opportunities
You can find a variety of volunteer opportunities that cater to different interests and schedules.
UNC Health Rex Fur Friends
Become a UNC Health Rex Ambassador!
If you like to walk long distances, greet and engage with people, then join the UNC Health Rex Ambassadors! Volunteers are needed at the main entrance lobby and the medical office building (MOB) lobby to greet and escort patients and visitors to their destination within the facility.
Positions are available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to noon and noon to 4 p.m. Please contact Volunteer Services at 919-784-2297 for more information.
The second sentence says When dropping off items please attach a delivery slip (download delivery slip) with your contact information.
UNC Health Championship
The annual UNC Health Championship provides volunteers with the opportunity to support UNC Health while taking part in a professional golf tournament.
There are a number of volunteer opportunities available including: Walking Scorers, Marshals, Player Shuttle Services, Merchandise Sales, Hospitality Services, Pro-Am Services, and many more.
REX Wellness Centers
Patient & Family Advisory Councils
Volunteers on our patient and family advisory councils help shape changes at UNC Health Rex by sharing their experiences as patients and caregivers. Learn more about advisory councils.
Handmade Donations and Supplies
Handmade Donations – Knitted, Crocheted, Quilted and Sewn
This is a dedicated group of volunteers who work from home or various centers who provide many items each year. The items listed below support our patients. Many patients find it comforting to know someone cared enough to share their time and talents.
We are happy to accept the following items made by volunteers:
- Adult bids – pattern provided. Use absorbent fabric on underside
- Baby Hats - knitted and crocheted caps for newborns (download the template 1) (download the template 2) Approximate size hat should fit on a 4 inch Styrofoam ball with some give/stretch to it. Volunteer Services will provide the Styrofoam balls should you need one.
- Drain bag – 10x18 cut fabric, folded in half, ½” seam, sew up sides, turn hem on top, with 40” ribbon strap. The drain bags are for mastectomy patients.
- Incubator Blankets – these will be used on top of incubators to keep light to a minimum. If knitted or crocheted, they cannot have holes penetrable by light. The blankets should be 3’x3’, or 3’x4’ and washable. The blankets can also be made of material and quilted.
- Lap Robes – light and heavy blankets are welcome. These can be any material, sewn, quilted, knitted or crocheted. The blankets should be 4’ x 5’ and washable.
- Mastectomy pillow – pattern provided, softly stuffed
- Neck pillow – pattern provided, move opening to right side, compactly stuffed
- Rectangular pillows in bright colors/patterns, finished size 10 x 17, cut 11 x 18, ½ inch seams, softly stuffed – helps provide comfort to patient’s neck, back, or legs.
- Shawls – knitted or crocheted
- Telemetry bags (for heart monitor) – 10 x 14 heavier fabric, folded in half, ¼” seam, sew up sides, turn hem on top, with 40” strap
- Tote Bags are given to our cancer patients. Bag 14” x 18” with handles at least 18”
- Walker /Wheelchair accessory – pattern provided
Please contact Volunteer Services 919-784-2297 if you have questions or need patterns of the items we provide our patients. When dropping off items please attach a delivery slip (download delivery slip) with your contact information.
UNC Health Rex benefits from the following donated supplies:
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- Beanie Babies for our busy aprons
- Empty thread spools for our busy aprons
- Fabric - (cotton and at least one yard) used to create sewing projects
- Ribbon for our drain bags (1/4 in. – ½ in. in length)
- Yarn – baby yarn for baby hats and blankets and regular yarn for adult blankets or shawls.
Volunteer Benefits
In addition to the satisfaction that comes from helping others, UNC Health Rex volunteers are also eligible for several benefits including:
