Pre-MedicineMayo Clinic Caring Hands Volunteer Program

Gustavus has an exclusive partnership with the Mayo Clinic in Mankato to offer pre-health students the opportunity to serve as a Caring Hands volunteer. 

Application Mayo Clinic Caring Hands Program (Volunteer teams full 2024-2025)

Caring Hands Application 2025-2026 Deadline May 1, 2025
 

Caring_Hands_19-20

Picture above Caring Hands team 2019-2020.

Caring Hands Service Summary: Massage therapy has shown to aid in addressing pain, distress, fatigue, anxiety, stress and muscular discomfort in patients with various types of disease. Hand massage is simple, comforting and less time consuming than a standard massage session. Because of its shorter duration, hand massage is an ideal intervention in a busy hospital and clinical settings. Volunteers provide 10 -15 minute hand massages. The Gustavus Caring Hands volunteers provide a non-therapeutic, light, gentle and slow hand massage to patients, caregivers and/or family members.

The primary role of the Caring Hands volunteer is to improve the patient experience. Successful Caring Hands volunteers are friendly, out-going, self-motivated, show initiative and can work well independently in an environment with little supervision. The Hospital setting can be extremely chaotic and hectic, but other times can be quiet and uneventful. A successful volunteer is able to thrive in both environments. 

This is NOT a shadowing and observation opportunity. The volunteer is observing and working in the medical environment, but the role of the volunteer is to improve the patient experience.

Requirements:
1. Cumulative grade point average of at least 3.2.

2. Sophomore, junior or senior standing.

3. Good standing with the College and not on any type of College probation.

5. Willing and able to commit to a two-hour shift ONE day per week (no shift during college breaks, finals or January). Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, 6:00pm-8:00pm

6. Provide your own transportation to the site (car pooling is an option)

7. Meet Requirements and Training including but not limited to: Volunteer must be Covid-19 vaccinated and successful completion of criminal background check.

List of ALL volunteer opportunities available at the Mayo Clinic System Volunteer Services, Mankato

Updated 5/18/24 HB