Welcome to Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital!

We have many exciting volunteer opportunities at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital to allow every volunteer to share their unique talents in a meaningful way. Your volunteer participation will make a difference for our patients and care teams. We have everything from greeters to patient companions to pet therapy teams and much more! You can read more about some of our volunteer opportunities below. 

Our team works closely with you to find the right position and one that fits your schedule. We welcome you to apply by clicking "Fill in an application". Please answer the required information and click "Submit".  We will be in touch within a few days. We can't wait to meet you!

Steps to becoming a volunteer:

  • Fill out an online application
  • Participate in an interview to determine placement
  • Once accepted (you will receive detailed instructions after the interview):
    • Complete self-paced online volunteer training modules
    • Complete a free-of-charge medical screening which includes:
      • A blood draw for TB (Tuberculosis)
      • Provide proof or agree to receive the following vaccinations:
        • MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccine
        • Influenza (flu) vaccine – applies during flu season (usually October through March).
  • Consent to a free-of-charge criminal background check (applies to anyone 19 years old and older)
  • NOTE: We are not accepting summer 2026 applications at this time. Please wait until the beginning of April, 2026.

Minimum volunteer program requirements:

  • Interest in helping others in a healthcare setting.
  • Commit to one 3-4-hour shift a week for the duration of 6 months or one school semester if a high school or college student.
  • Minimum age to volunteer is 16 years old with a couple of exceptions:
    • The hospital gift shop and Catchpenny resale shop located downtown Barrington accept 14- & 15-year-olds.
    • The Emergency Department requires a minimum age of 18. 
  • NOTE: We currently have NO openings for high school students on these days:
    • Friday
    • Saturday
    • Sunday
    • Please consider being a virtual volunteer.

We look forward to having you on our team!

This is what our volunteers say about volunteering with us:

"I love it when I get a verbal compliment or thank you from staff or patients. It’s often unexpected and it makes me feel good. It makes me feel like my volunteering matters and is helpful."

"I enjoy seeing the smiles on our customers' faces after they found something nice to wear at a great price at Catchpenny."

Information about the hospital:

Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington, IL is a leader in delivering the most advanced medical technologies and comprehensive health care services available in Illinois’ northwest suburbs. Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital provides a comprehensive range of services at our 176-bed facility. Our nationally-recognized cancer program, renowned cardiac care, and an extensive range of outpatient services add to our health care program.

  • Recognized with Magnet designation which is the gold standard by which nursing and patient care is measured.
  • Our cardiovascular surgeons deliver expertise in off-pump open heart procedures and minimally invasive approaches to surgical repairs.
  • In the ICU, a state-of-the-art electronic surveillance system keeps a watchful eye on patients 24-hours per day and delivers instant communication between physicians and onsite caregivers.
  • We also provide the full range specialty services to address women’s health care needs through every stage of life.

 

Click below for directions:

Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital - Google Maps

 

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We offer volunteer opportunities in the following categories

Smart Farm

Join our team at the Smart Farm and be a part of an extraordinary journey towards building a healthier community! As a volunteer, you’ll play a crucial role in nurturing our farm that proudly donates 21,000 pounds of fresh produce (vegetables and herbs) annually to local food pantries that provide 18,500 meals! With a diverse range of over 50 crops and 150 varieties, our farm is a vibrant ecosystem, that also houses beehives. So why wait? Sign up today to step into the world of Smart Farm and make a difference!

Our Smart Farm volunteers help in a couple of different ways:

  • Smart Farm field support - volunteers help with planting, weeding, watering, harvesting etc. Volunteers come once a week for a 2-4-hour shift on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 8am – 3pm during the months of mid-May through October (weather-dependent). It’s an activity that requires standing, walking and frequently kneeling on your knees. Volunteers don’t drive tractors or operate electrical/motorized equipment.
  • Smart Farm flower support - volunteers harvest flowers, learning how / when to cut different species; fill buckets with water, gathering supplies; create bouquets.
  • Smart Farm stands – we offer our produce for sale at a farm stand. The stand is open at the farm every Friday and at the hospital alternating Thursdays (mid-June through mid-October). Volunteers help with produce set-up and take-down, selecting and bagging produce, as well as processing credit card and cash payments. This opportunity is already filled for the 2024 season.

We look forward to having you on our team! 

 

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Lobby Support Volunteers

Our Lobby Support volunteers provide assistance to the Patient Relations team by welcoming and escorting patients and visitors throughout the hospital making them feel welcome and safe. You are helping to set the stage for a successful visit with us and you may be the last impression as they leave. This is a powerful role to help ensure our patients and visitors do not worry about where or how they get to their destination within our facilities. You help reduce that anxiety so they can focus on their healing journey.

 

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Retail Shops

We offer opportunities at the hospital gift shop and our Catchpenny Resale Shoppe located in downtown Barrington. Based on the store, the tasks will vary and may include helping to ensure we have a great product mix to serving our patients, visitors and teammates needs and assisting all warmly with a smile and helpful approach. Volunteers also assist with patient room or department deliveries bringing smiles and joy to those receiving their items.

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Musical Talent Opportunties

Our volunteer musicians play piano and other instruments (flute, clarinet, harp, strings, acoustic guitar) in our Main Entrance Lobby and other gathering spaces within our hospitals. Their music provides a soothing escape from pain and isolation. Our volunteers' talent is a gift to all -- our patients, teammates and visitors!

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Patient Facing/Patient Care Areas

We have a variety of volunteer roles focused on supporting the inpatients and our nursing teams. Our goal is to ensure every inpatient has the support they need during their stay and an excellent patient experience. Volunteers visit assigned patients regularly and use active listening skills to check in on their needs and provide emotional support. Some examples include: Emergency Department, Inpatient units, Universal Care Unit (day surgery).

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Animal Assisted Therapy

 

Our four-legged friends and their volunteer handlers bring joy and reduce anxiety for patients, visitors and teammates through our animal assisted therapy program. Dogs and miniature horses must be certified for animal assisted therapy and visit throughout our hospitals. They are beloved by all!

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Advocate and Aurora Health Virtual Volunteer

 

Virtual volunteers can work remote from home while still providing meaningful support for our patients through a variety of programs. The Concierge Admission Program supports newly admitted patients with a phone call from a virtual volunteer to discuss their stay, identify any needs they may have while with us and assist with concerns. Volunteers call patients from home to any one of our hospitals. Virtual volunteers can also serve as remote witnesses for patients who need an advance directive for care and assist with hospitalized patients during elections to provide guidance on how they can vote using a proxy. Many more virtual experiences are being developed thanks to our wonderful virtual volunteers!

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