Adult and College Student Volunteer Program
Volunteers compliment professional services in our patient care areas and provide support to our patients and families to make their experience at CHOP better. Our mission is to provide volunteers with a rewarding experience while meeting the needs of the hospital's patients and families. Volunteer opportunities include:
- Bedside Buddies
Read, play games and keep children company in their rooms. - Connelly Family Resource Center
Assist families in the library or hospitality area with “the comforts of home.” - Emergency Services
Help patients and families pass the time in the waiting or exam rooms. - Galaxy 51
Help patients to participate in CHOP’s television studio programs by assisting with show promotion, bedside call-ins, on-air show interaction and live studio audience coordination during celebrity guest visits. - Hospital School Program
Tutor patients to help them keep up with schoolwork. - Guest Services
CHOP is a big place! Greeters and tour guides are needed to assist families in finding their destination. - Outpatient Clinic Waiting Rooms
Provide support and activities to patients and families before appointments. - Playrooms
Paint, color, play games and more with patients. - Reach Out and Read
Read aloud to patients and their family members in our offsite waiting rooms. - Ronald McDonald House Rooms
Help maintain special rooms where families can relax. - Wawa Beverage Cart
Deliver drinks to family members in patient care areas.
Adult and College Student Volunteer Requirements
Because we are a healthcare organization, there are some requirements you must fulfill before you can volunteer at CHOP. For the safety of our patients, their families, and for you, we ask all potential volunteers be able to commit to the following:
Age. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
Time Commitment. We ask volunteers to commit to a minimum of 100 hours of service annually and to commit to a regularly scheduled shift.
Interview. To ensure CHOP is a good fit for you and to determine which volunteer opportunity is best suited for you, we do complete a face-to-face interview with applicants after they have attended our general volunteer information session.
Background Check. Per Pennsylvania Act 73, acceptance to the volunteer program is contingent upon completing FBI Fingerprinting. We also require completion of a complete criminal background check and Child Abuse Clearances prior to acceptance into our volunteer program. These clearances will be facilitated by CHOP if you are selected to volunteer. Clearance results can take up to 6 weeks to receive.
Health Clearances. All volunteers are required to prove immunity to Mumps, Measles, Rubella, and Chicken Pox, as well as a Tdap vaccination. Volunteers are also required to receive an annual tuberculosis (TB) skin test and the seasonal flu vaccine. The annual tuberculosis test and seasonal flu vaccinations are provided free of charge at CHOP.
Orientation & Training. All volunteers will also be required to attend a General Information Session and a New Volunteer Orientation. Volunteers may also be asked to complete additional training as required by the position. The Information Session runs approximately 1.5 hours, while New Volunteer Orientation runs approximately 3 hours.
Restrictions. Volunteers must abide by all patient confidentiality guidelines, customer service expectations and hospital policies.
If you meet the above requirements, we invite you to complete the volunteer application for adults or the volunteer application for college students.
Contact Us
- 215-590-1000
- Contact Us Online
- Request an Appointment