Skip to main content.

Requirements

Becoming a Volunteer

We welcome individuals of all backgrounds and abilities. Because of the nature of care being delivered at Children's, all volunteers are carefully screened and individually matched with assignments that are well-suited for them.

Age Requirements

Prospective volunteers must be at least:

  • 14 years of age to volunteer at the hospital in a non-patient area
  • 16 years of age to have patient contact in the playroom or clinics
  • Over 18 years of age for other patient areas

Please review the volunteer opportunities age requirements for specific departments.

The placement process includes:

  1. Attend a General Orientation
  2. Complete the Volunteer Application Packet
  3. Interview
  4. Tuberculosis Screening
  5. Job Specific Training

This process is meant to ensure the safety and well being of patients and families as well as the confidence and success of volunteers.

In order to be considered for volunteer service you will be required to:

1. Attend a General Orientation

Please let us know whether you prefer to volunteer weekday hours (before 2 p.m.), evening hours (after 2 p.m.), or weekend hours.

There are separate orientations for those who want to volunteer at different times. Please schedule the appropriate orientation for your time availability.

When planning to attend an orientation, please bring:

  • Two letters of recommendation - one personal recommendation from someone not related to you, and one professional reference.
  • Your Washington State driver's license number

The general orientation includes:

  • Children's history
  • Our mission and vision
  • Children's future
  • Our Volunteer Program requirements
  • The application process
  • Volunteer Opportunities - Where would you like to help?
  • Health and safety precautions
  • Children's service standards
  • Hospital policies
  • Volunteer policies and procedures
  • Getting around Children's

2. Complete the Volunteer Application Packet

Your Volunteer Application Packet will include the follow pages:

  • Volunteer Application
  • Volunteer Disclosure Statement / Criminal Background Check
  • Confidentiality Agreement / Patient Privacy
  • Age Specific Competency Questionnaire
  • Code of Conduct / Compliance Guidelines

Application packets are only available at the orientation. Sufficient time is allotted during the orientation to complete the packet.

3. Interview

Once your completed paperwork is received in our office, we will schedule an interview with you and one of our volunteer coordinators to discuss your interests and availability and to determine the appropriate volunteer assignment for you.

All volunteers must adhere to Children's standard policies and procedures.

4. Tuberculosis Screening

It is Children's Hospital policy that all volunteers be tested for tuberculosis. Those who have direct patient contact must be tested on an annual basis.

Some individuals will require two tuberculin (TB) skin tests. The two-step requirement depends on a number of variables, such as past testing, time elapsed since last TB skin test, and ability to provide documentation of past test results.

Individuals who have received BCG vaccine are not exempt and must be tested. (BCG vaccine is given to prevent TB in certain countries, not including the U.S., Canada, England, Australia, and Scandinavia.)

TB testing can be done by a private physician, public health department, college health centers, or at Children's Hospital Occupational Health Services.

A signed parental permission form is required if you are under 18 years of age. Permission forms are available at orientation or in the Volunteer Office.

5. Job Specific Training

Several departments require specific training. When you are placed in an assignment, you will be scheduled for any necessary training.

To Volunteer: What Should I Do Next?

Call (206) 987-2155 to sign up for an orientation.

Please let us know whether you prefer to volunteer during weekday hours (before 2 p.m.), evening hours (after 2 p.m.), or on the weekends.

There are separate orientations for those who want to volunteer at different times. Please schedule the appropriate orientation for your time availability.

Questions? Please call (206) 987-2155.