Student Awards
Service Learning/Volunteer Work
Service Learning/Volunteer Work
There is assistance available for you through the Office of Service Learning. First and foremost, students in service learning and volunteers provide a helping hand in Western New York for those understaffed human service agencies that are overburdened in meeting the needs of their clients. Secondly, the services will provide an educational experience by allowing you to do some "hands on" work in the area.
You may pick up an application form at the Office of Service-Learning which is located in Old Main 004 from Sister Patricia Brady, SSMN. Sr. Pat will be able to answer any questions you may have, and provide direction throughout your service learning experience. Sr. Pat can assist you in making the initial phone call if you choose.
The hospital placement office will then work out a schedule with you, and provide training if necessary. The Canisius College Career Center (OM-016) may also provide assistance with phone calls.
Click on the field that you are interested in to see volunteering opportunities are available:
Health Science Volunteer List
Buffalo General Hospital
100 High Street, Buffalo, NY -- 859-2603
Volunteer internships fill support positions in the following departments: administration, admissions, ambulatory surgery & procedure unit, angelology, blood bank/grouping, c.a.p.d., cytology, dialysis, emergency room, employee relations, hematology, inhalation therapy, immunopathology, intensive care, medical library, medical records, nuclear medicine, nursing units, nutritional services, ob-gyn, occupational therapy, patient info, desk, patient representative, pharmacy, physical therapy (rehab. medicine), public relations, radiation oncology, social work, surgery, surgery support, tissue pathology, urology and visitor information/access.
Responsibilities range from administrative clerical support to running errands to assisting with research. Hours vary depending on the department.
Deaconess Division, Buffalo General Hospital
1001 Humboldt Parkway, Buffalo, NY -- 887-8010
This long-term care facility needs intern volunteers to help with activities, patient transport and clerical work. Hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday.
Episcopal Residential Health Care Facility, Inc.
24 Rhode Island Street, Buffalo, NY -- 884-6500
This facility provides a variety of health care programs, including outpatient services, for senior citizens. Volunteer interns are needed for a variety of positions, including the medical day treatment and therapy clinics departments.
E.C.M.C.
462 Grider Street, Buffalo, NY -- 898-5337
The Skilled Nursing Facility, Emergency Room, Rehabilitation Medicine Department, Psychiatry-Adolescent Unit, and Social Work Department need volunteer interns to perform a variety of duties, including: Occupational therapy aide, physical therapy aide, assisting staff with non-medical ER duties, offering one-on-one companionship to adolescent inpatients, speech therapist assistant. Hours vary.
Hamlin Terrace Health Care Center
1014 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY -- 885-8084
This long-term nursing home needs help with transporting and visiting residents and assisting with activities. Hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday; weekends and after-hours also available.
Kenmore Mercy Hospital
2950 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY -- 447-6189
A volunteer intern will have opportunities to work as an aide to occupational and physical therapists and the athletic care team. Volunteers are also needed to transport patients and help with clerical work. Hours are 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday to Friday.
Mercy Hospital
565 Abbott Road, Buffalo, NY -- 828-2044
Volunteer intern positions are available in the emergency room (24 hours) and the outpatient surgery unit (ambulatory surgery; 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM). The latter entails handling discharges and answering patient's lights.
Millard Fillmore Hospitals
3 Gates Circle, Buffalo, NY -- 887-4900
Volunteer intern positions are in admissions, occupational therapy, physical therapy, emergency room, library, nursing station, rehab services, skilled nursing facility, and the surgery waiting room. Volunteers are also needed to act as mastectomy visitors and patient representatives.
Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital
1540 Maple Road, Williamsville, NY -- 568-3820
Volunteer interns help in admissions, emergency room nursing station, rehab services, surgery, surgery transport and emergency department liaison.
Note: To ensure stability in the overall day-to-day operations of the hospital, day shift volunteers are expected to work 3.5 to 4 hours per session, and evening shift volunteers are expected to work for 3-hour sessions. A volunteer period of not less than six months is requested. These rules apply to both facilities.
Roswell Park Cancer Institute
Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY -- 845-5708
Volunteer intern placements are based on matching the needs and interests of the individual with the needs of the Institute. Positions range from babysitters to research assistants, admissions aides to marketing interns. Hours vary.
Sheehan Memorial Hospital
425 Michigan Avenue, Buffalo, NY -- 848-2117
Generally, volunteer interns are placed in non-clinical settings, e.g. helping transport, feed and visit patients. Assistance is also needed in the family center.
Sisters Hospital
2157 Main Street, Buffalo, NY -- 862-1827
Volunteer intern opportunities are in all departments except labs, including emergency room, surgery, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. The hospital especially needs students to work in the outpatient department at present. Hours are 8:00 AM to 8:30 PM.
Women & Children's Health Hospital
219 Bryant Street, Buffalo, NY -- 878-7241
Volunteer internships are primarily in the Child Life Department. Responsibilities include assisting with bedside activities, comforting patients and assisting with transportation. Other positions available are clerical, ICU waiting room, patient library, pharmacy, admissions, blood labs, community/public relations, pre-surgery holding area and the doctors' library. Days and times vary depending on position. NOTE: Volunteers are scheduled on a semester-based calendar, e.g., starting in January, May and September, and must work for the entire semester.
Hospice
225 Como Park Blvd., Cheektowaga, NY -- 686-1900
This facility provides treatment of the terminally ill patient. Call the Volunteer Office at extension 2424 for more information.
Pre-Dental
Buffalo General Hospital - Dental Clinic
100 High Street, Buffalo, NY -- 859-2603
Responsibilities include observation and clerical work. Hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday to Friday.
E.C.M.C. - Dental Clinic
462 Grider Street, Buffalo, NY -- 898-5337
Indicate you are a Canisius student in Pre-Dental looking for experience in the field before applying to dental school; what year you are in and the days and hours you can volunteer.
Pre-Vet
The Buffalo Zoo
Delaware Park, Buffalo, NY -- 837-3900
If accepted by the curator, volunteers will work in the animal department assisting the keepers with feeding, cleaning and general care. Hours will vary.
S.P.C.A.
205 Ensminger Road, Buffalo, NY -- 875-7360
Responsible volunteers willing to make a serious commitment are needed to act as dog walkers and to work in the pet therapy program (taking animals to nursing homes for one hour visits). The agency also needs help with seasonal special events and clerical work. Hours are 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday to Friday.