Volunteering

At South Texas Health System, we have more than 350 student and adult volunteers helping us provide high-quality service to patients and their families. Because South Texas Health System is the largest hospital system in the Rio Grande Valley, there are many opportunities including day, evening and weekend positions across our facilities and departments. 

If you have four hours a week to make a difference in someone's life, consider joining us! This is an ideal role for people who are ready to explore their next opportunity. Volunteer opportunities are available at STHS McAllen, STHS Edinburg, STHS Heart and STHS Children's. Volunteers are accepted throughout the year, Simply submit your application online. 

You will be contacted by the Director of Volunteer Services once your submission is reviewed. Each volunteer will go through an orientation and be placed in areas of interest and need.

Volunteer Benefits

Perks of being a volunteer at South Texas Health System include the following:

• A 20 percent discount on gift items in the Gift Shop
• A $5 meal voucher for the cafeteria
• Access to hospital educational programs, in-services and workshops
• Free flu shot and TB testing
• Most of all, self satisfaction!

Who Volunteers?

People volunteer for many different reasons. You may wish to become actively involved in giving back to the community, build lasting relationships, develop new skills, perform school community service hours, make great use of you time and talents, lift spirits when people are sick, or just because it makes you feel good about yourself. Whatever the reason, volunteers truly do make a difference.

Volunteers with the Auxiliary to South Texas Health System range in age from 15 years old to 90 plus. They are students, retirees, those with special skills who have extra time, and individuals who are fully employed.

The Auxiliary to South Texas Health System has two groups of volunteers:

Auxiliary—Comprised of adult men and women who donate not only their time in departments throughout the hospital, but also give out scholarships, continuing education and donations to employees and other non-for-profit organizations in the community. The Auxiliary is able to give generous financial donations each year through money raised from the gift shop and various fundraising projects.

Junior Volunteers—Comprised of young men and women (15 years minimum), many from local high schools, South Texas College and the University of Texas Pan American, who volunteer for educational goals and work experience. Volunteers are accepted three times per year for fall, spring or summer semester placement. Junior volunteers serve about 48 hours per semester or four hours per week.

What Can Volunteers Do?

As a volunteer, you choose from these opportunities:

Patient Care—Choose from these volunteer areas: Oncology, Medical, Orthopedics, Telemetry, Surgical, OB/GYN, Nursery, Pediatrics, Skilled and Rehab nursing. Interact with nurses and support staff, answer the phone, pick up meal trays, make up chart packs, refill water pitchers, serve drinks, file lab sheets and help escort patients.

Emergency Services—Help patients fill out triage forms, assist visitors, get supplies, help to discharge patients and manage waiting areas.

Physical Therapy—Assist physical therapists.

Information Desk—Welcome patients, visitors and families to the hospital. Answer phones, give directions, and deliver flowers and mail to patients.

Gift Shop—Assist hospital guests and staff with purchases, use a cash register, and help stock merchandise.

Transport/Escort—Help patients in wheelchairs. Deliver labs, medical records supplies and escort visitors.

Surgery/ICU/CCU Waiting Areas—Welcome and keep family members and friends informed about patients’ progress.