Voluntary Social Year (FSJ) and Federal Volunteer Service (BFD)

During your year of volunteer work, you'll make a real difference in healthcare and gain exciting insights into a university hospital.
Apply now!
FSJ Uniklinik Köln FSJ Uniklinik Köln

"Doing a voluntary social year (FSJ) at
after high school was
the
best decision I ever made."

Sophie, a volunteer in the neurosurgical intensive care unit
FSJ BFD Uniklinik Köln

An Overview of Your Volunteer Work

  • Duration: 6 to 12 months.
  • Start date: September 1 for general nursing / surgical and anesthesia nursing. Flexible for patient services.
  • Application period: Every year from March through June.
  • Requirements: You must be between 16 and 26 years old (minimum age for surgical and anesthesia nursing is 18).
  • Learn new things with new people.
  • Included in the volunteer program: Unforgettable seminar days where you’ll learn a lot and get to know other volunteers.

About our partner, the German Red Cross (DRK)

Doing Good Together

Applications

Complete your volunteer service with us in nursing, the operating room, anesthesia, or patient services—alongside supportive colleagues from various departments.

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General Care

You can choose from 70 wards, outpatient clinics, and specialized departments. Together, we’ll find the right department where you can support the team in providing patient care—for example, by helping with bathing, taking blood pressure, or assisting with patient transport.

Our General Care Services
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Operating Room and Anesthesia Nursing

You'll learn how to work hygienically in the operating room and assist the team with equipment preparation, patient positioning, and setting up the sterile field—always under the guidance of experienced colleagues. Important: You must be at least 18 years old.

Our Surgical Care
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Patient Services

Patient services help take the load off the nursing teams so they can focus on their core duties. You’ll accompany patients to their wards, distribute meals, and run small errands.

Our Nursing Assistants

Good for you. Good for everyone.

You can apply to join us every year from March through June. Please use the online form. There, you can also select your preferred area of work.

Apply now

Frequently Asked Questions / FAQ

The Voluntary Social Year and the Federal Volunteer Service programs begin each year on September 1 in general nursing and surgical and anesthesia nursing. You can join the Patient Services team at any time. The application period runs from March through June each year: simply use our online form.

Please upload your resume, a cover letter, and your most recent transcripts along with your application.

We only offer positions in general nursing, surgical and anesthesia nursing, and patient services. However, you’re welcome to apply for an internship with us. Here, you’ll find a wide range of careers to choose from, in addition to nursing and medicine.

General Care Staff Pool

mitarbeiterpool-leitungen@uk-koeln.de

 

Dagmar Overbeck (Patient Services)

Head of Reception, Telephone Service, and Volunteer Visiting Service

dagmar.overbeck@uk-koeln.de

 

Edvinas Kasparaitis (Surgical and Anesthesia Nursing)

Advisor to the Division Management

Surgical Operations Division

edvinas.kasparaitis@uk-koeln.de

Your Opportunities at the University Hospital

Get to know us better

Pflege Karriere Uniklinik Köln

An Internship for Career Exploration

Not quite sure yet which vocational training program might be right for you? An internship at the university hospital could help you make your decision.

Learn more about the internship

What Makes Us Unique 

People who work at the university hospital often don't just enjoy their jobs—they really love them. For example, because everyone can rely on each other 100 percent.

Corporate Culture
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Training at the University Hospital

Together, we’ll lay the foundation for your future in healthcare: Choose from 14 apprenticeship programs and 2 dual degree programs.

Discover Training Programs