SMMC: Volunteer

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with San Mateo Medical Center! Volunteers are an important part of our team, helping to support staff, enhance the patient experience, and bring smiles to those they meet.

Volunteer opportunities are available at our hospital and clinics in San Mateo, as well as our community clinics in  Daly City, Half Moon Bay, Redwood City, and South San Francisco. 

Please note: We have a limited number of volunteer opportunities and usually receive a large number of volunteer applications. We work hard to place everyone interested!

JOIN OUR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM!

We offer two types of volunteer programs at San Mateo Medical Center: Long Term and Seasonal.

Click the arrows below to learn more about each program, the requirements, and more.

CLICK HERE to apply!

• Apply to be a year-round(long term) volunteer.

• Apply to be a seasonal volunteer. (Application deadline for our summer program is April 19, 2026)

Long Term Volunteer Program

To be considered for the Long Term Volunteer Program, volunteers must:

• Complete 50 hours of volunteer service at the Wayfinding welcome desk on the 2nd floor of our hospital
• Can complete the remaining time in one of our clinics, based on availability
• Volunteer hours are based on availability  
• We do not currently provide direct patient care or shadowing opportunities

Requirements for long-term volunteers are listed under “General Requirements” below. 

Seasonal Volunteer Program (June 1 – August 30, 2026)

We are currently recruiting for our Summer Volunteer Program!
The application opens on February 1, 2026 and will close at midnight on April 19, 2026. If you are interested, please CLICK HERE to apply. 

IMPORTANT DATES
Summer program: June 1, 2026 – August 30, 2026

Information Night: February 6, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. SIGN UP HERE (for parents/guardians of volunteers under 18 years old)

Applications due: April 19, 2026
Acceptance letters sent: April 30, 2026
Onboarding paperwork due: May 15, 2026 by 7 p.m.
Waitlist notifications sent: May 20, 2026

Commitment requirements:

• 4-12 hours per week for 3 consecutive months
• Hours are Monday through Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
• Must be adaptable and flexible
  • Weekends are not currently available
  • We do not currently offer direct patient care or shadowing opportunities

Health-related requirements:

• TB tests: must be up to date within the last year (no later than September 2025)
• COVID-19 vaccination: 
  • Two doses of Moderna or Pfizer OR one Johnson & Johnson dose
  • Booster encouraged but not required
• Flu vaccine: proof of 2025-2026 flu vaccination required
• Must meet all other immunization requirements: SMMC Volunteer Health Clearance Checklist

General Requirements for ALL Volunteer Programs

To Be Considered for Either Volunteer Program:

• You must be able to volunteer a minimum of 4 hours per week.
• Holidays will be optional.   

Age Requirement

• Volunteers must be age 15 or older.
• Parental/guardian consent is required.  

What to expect after applying  

Interviews will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. All interviews will held virtually and may be done in groups.

• Long-term volunteers: Please allow 1-2 weeks for the volunteer team to determine final candidates for volunteer programs. 
• Summer program volunteers: Offer letters will be sent out no later than April 30, 2026.

What are the next steps if I’m accepted?  

If you are accepted into either a Long-term or Seasonal Volunteer Program, you will receive an email from a volunteer staff member with the documents listed below. You will have 2-3 weeks to complete and submit all required documents.

Summer program volunteers: All documents are due on May 15, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.

Failure to complete documents within the instructed time frame will result in disqualification from the program. Volunteers will be conditionally accepted to ensure all requirements are met.  

1. Welcome Letter with instructions. 
2. Confidentiality Statement  
3. Parents or Guardians of Youth Volunteer Application Applicant (Only for volunteers under 18)  
4. Consent for Health Screening – Youth (Only for volunteers under 18)  
5. SMMC Volunteer Health Clearance Checklist
6. Annual TB Surveillance Form  
7. Declination for Hep B and Tdap  
8. Flu Form 2025-2026  
9. Flu Declination Form 2025-2026 
10. ​You must submit a copy of all Health requirements listed above. 

Mandatory Volunteer Orientation

Orientation will be hosted in-person for all seasonal and long term volunteers. If you are accepted into the program, you will receive orientation details in your Conditional Acceptance Letter.

You will be disqualified from the program if you do not attend orientation. 

Departments and Clinics Available

Volunteers will be assigned to departments in need of a volunteer. As a volunteer, you must be adaptable and willing to assist the assigned department. If you do not agree with your assigned department, you have the option to withdraw from the program. 

Questions/Concerns

If you have any questions, please email:  SMMC_Volunteer@smcgov.org 
We will get back to you within 24 hours.

You can also contact Bee Alonso, Volunteer Coordinator, at (650) 573-2797. Expect a call back by the end of the day. Please be sure to leave your name and phone number in your message!

Bee’s office hours are Monday – Friday, 7:00AM – 3:30PM.