Volunteer FAQS
What is the time commitment for CHOP volunteers?
In order to be most effective and successful, volunteers must be consistent. Therefore, we have minimum commitment requirements for each program we offer and ask that you please review all requirements before applying. Most programs require a 3 hour/week commitment for a minimum of 3-6 consecutive months.
Can I still volunteer even though I am in town only one or two weeks per month?
In order to be most effective and successful, volunteers must be consistent. Therefore, we have minimum commitment requirements for each program we offer and ask that you please postpone volunteering until that commitment becomes possible for you.
What is the minimum age to become a volunteer?
All adult volunteer applicants must be at least 18 years old and out of high school
For our summer teen program, we ask that all high school students be at least 16 years old by June 1st of the current year and have completed the 9th grade.
What is the process to become a volunteer?
The process to become a volunteer is a thorough one and can take 6-8 weeks to complete. Please review all of the information available to you on this website in regards to the programs offered and commitment required. Once you have done so, if you are still interested in volunteering, you are welcome to submit an application to volunteer.
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is fortunate to receive many volunteer applications. Our program opportunities are based on the service needs of the hospital, therefore we match applicants’ skills, availability and experience to our current needs. Please be advised that because of the number of applications we receive, we may not be able to place you as a volunteer at this time. However, if an opportunity is available, we will be in touch with you regarding next steps. If you are accepted to our program, please be advised that the total time from interview to start date can take up to 8 weeks. We greatly appreciate your desire to donate your time to our patients and families – this is why we tell you this information at the beginning of our application process.
Can I volunteer if I haven't had much exposure to children?
We have many different volunteer placements. Some have more direct patient contact than others and it is important to bring up any concerns you may have about interacting directly with patients at the time of your interview. We have a variety of other opportunities that do not necessarily involve direct patient interaction for those applicants who would like to help the hospital in some way but are not comfortable working directly with patients. We would be happy to speak to you in more detail about which program may be right for you. In addition, we offer suggestions at orientation to help you interact successfully with the patients, siblings and families here at CHOP. Also, a staff member is always available to you while you are volunteering to answer any questions you might have.
If I just graduated from high school/trade school/college and I'm looking for a job, could I begin to volunteer while I'm looking?
We suggest that you concentrate on finding a job first. Once you have secured employment, you'll have a better idea of what days and times will work best for you to volunteer. You'll know for sure if volunteering will fit into your new schedule.
If I have a group of 10 friends from work could we take turns volunteering one evening a week?
Our requirements are the same for all volunteers. We require each individual to volunteer the same day, time and in the same area each week. It has been demonstrated that a regular weekly commitment is more satisfying to the individual and most helpful to the staff.
I am a high school student interested in volunteering at CHOP—what are my options?
Volunteering as a high school student at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia not only supports the hospital but also gives students exposure to careers in healthcare while offering them the opportunity to have experiential learning’s to assist in their personal and professional development. Hospital policy requires that all teen volunteers be at least 16 years of age by June 1 of the current year.
At CHOP, we offer high school students volunteer opportunities during the summer months only. We do not offer high school student volunteer opportunities throughout the school year. If you are interested in getting involved with CHOP throughout the school year, please go to our Foundation website for some ideas as to how you can help out.
Our Summer Teen Volunteer program runs for six weeks throughout the months of July and August (specific dates vary from year to year). Applications are usually available early spring and we suggest contacting us in March if you are interested in applying for that summer. Please be advised that there are a limited number of openings available for this program and we cannot guarantee anyone a volunteer position within any particular program or during any particular time frame.
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