Volunteer Program
Come Join Us as a Volunteer!
Mount Desert Island Hospital and Birch Bay Retirement Village are looking for dependable, passionate individuals who want to make a difference. If you’re interested in compassionate care and community health, we’d love to have you on our team.
Our volunteers have made an impact at MDI Hospital, across our Health Centers, and at Birch Bay Retirement Village. Whether you’re lending a hand at a one day event or contributing your time regularly, there’s a place for you.
People of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
MDI Hospital
Volunteer Program Onboarding
Review the program, onboarding process, and access required forms and documentation:
Become a Volunteer
Volunteer with MDI Hospital or Birch Bay Retirement Village and help improve the experience of our patients, residents, and families. Volunteers support both clinical and non-clinical areas and play a key role in our mission of community care.
Apply online, and we’ll work together to match you to a role that fits your interests and skills.
Please note: the application process may take up to four weeks
For more information contact:
Patrianna Anderson, patrianna.anderson@mdihospital.org
MDI Hospital Volunteer Opportunities
“MDI Hospital has been a one-of-a-kind place to serve Mount Desert Island in healthcare teams. It is truly a privilege to learn more about medicine from MDIH’s exceptional and kind nurses, physician assistants, and doctors, while helping to provide care to any patient who comes through the door!”
– Tom Murdy, ED Volunteer
Nutrition Services Volunteer
Volunteers are needed to assist with meal preparation for patients and staff.
16+
Nursing Department Volunteer
Enhance our patient experience by visiting them, engaging them in activities, supporting meal delivery and tray collection, and provide clerical support to our inpatient Nursing team.
16+
Med. Staff Office Volunteer
Volunteers are needed to assist with clerical tasks and errands, file, and remind patients of upcoming appointments. Basic computer skills helpful. Pleasant telephone voice a plus!
18+
Emergency Department Volunteers
Volunteers help greet and provide support to patients, visitors, and guests at the hospital entrance. They assist the emergency department staff with clerical tasks and errands, and serve as a general liaison between patients, their families, and hospital staff.
18+
Materials Management Volunteer
Assist the Materials Management team with receiving, stocking, and delivery of supplies during busy times of day; assist with filing; tidying and support tasks as assigned.
16+
Birch Bay Retirement Village Volunteer Opportunities
“Volunteering at Birch Bay was rewarding in every way!”
– Nikki Burtis, Birch Bay Retirement Village Volunteer
Care Partner Volunteer
Become a member of our Birch Bay Buddy Program! This opportunity seeks individuals interested in spending time with our residents suffering from dementia and/or isolation and doing one-on-one activities with them, such as reading, socializing, puzzles/games, letter writing/correspondence, walks, gardening, visits, and more.
16+
Activities & Engagement Volunteer
Interested in leading or assisting a regular activity group with our assisted living residents? Birch Bay has a need for volunteers on an as-scheduled or routine basis to lead classes, projects, or groups with our assisted living residents.
16+
Musicians, Public Speakers, and Performers
Are you musically inclined or knowledgeable about an important topic? Volunteers are needed at Birch Bay for musical performances, public presentations or talks, and clergy members for worship services (currently held every Wednesday). This may be the perfect opportunity to share your musical talents, knowledge, gifts, or services with residents from our entire community!
13+
Pet Therapy Teams
Do you have a pet certified in pet therapy? Therapy pets fulfill a need for our residents that cannot be addressed in any other way, and our residents cherish and look forward to visits with these animals and their people.
If you are interested in getting your pet certified in pet therapy so that you may participate in such opportunities, please visit the Therapy Dogs International, Inc., website at www.tdi-dog.org or the Alliance of Therapy Dogs website at www.therapydogs.com.
18+
Life Enrichment Volunteer
Join in, learn, and assist our Life Enrichment Program at Birch Bay Retirement Village as a Life Enrichment Volunteer! We are seeking motivated, patient, and caring individuals to assist our Life Enrichment staff with engaging our residents suffering from dementia in purposeful and creative activities that seek to maximize their independence and energy and positively impact their emotions. Life Enrichment Volunteers will take part in activities such as gardening, baking, outings, social groups, worship services, and much, much more.
16+
Clubs & Socialization Volunteer
Have a special passion, talent, or interest you’d like to share or teach? Birch Bay needs volunteers to lead social clubs, such as book clubs, card/game clubs, nature clubs, community involvement groups, art classes, and much more with our apartment residents and cottagers.
16+
Adult Day Program Volunteers
The Don & Beth Straus Therapeutic Adult Day Program is looking for volunteers to assist with programming and interactivity. Straus Volunteers may lead or assist with activities, meals, limited documentation, outings, and more.
18+
Junior Volunteers
We have multiple opportunities for local school groups and/or individuals aged between 13-18 to volunteer. These opportunities vary in scope and are supervised. Our junior volunteers are instrumental to our programming, helping to ensure gardening areas and outdoor spaces are ready each season, assisting with organization and cleanup, and much more. These opportunities provide younger individuals access to the inner workings of residential care facilities for broadening interests and future career possibilities.
13+
*Age restrictions dependent upon volunteer position type, as listed above.
Join the MDI Hospital Auxiliary
MDI Hospital Auxiliary members have been an integral part of the Hospital family since 1948. This volunteer group is comprised of community members, Hospital employees and retirees. Auxiliary members devote many hours each year to various fundraising efforts including their annual auction and raffle, bakes sales, and jewelry sales.
“I love the auxiliary because everyone is like family.”
– MDI Hospital Auxiliary Member
Contact us
Call Us
(207) 288-5082 Ext. 1432
Email Us
patrianna.anderson@mdihospital.org
Our Location
1 Fernald Point Road
Southwest Harbor, ME 04679