CHOC's volunteer team provides critical assistance in our mission to nurture, advance and protect the health and well-being of children. In order to fully integrate our volunteers into teams that care for our patients and support the hospital's work, we ask that all volunteers meet rigorous standards. We recognize that these standards may be cumbersome. We ask for your patience and understanding, and appreciate your desire to help us supoprt and safe and healthy environment for all of CHOC's families, patients, associates and volunteers.

Volunteer Standards for CHOC and CHOC at Mission:

• Volunteers must be of the appropriate age for the programs in which they would like to volunteer. Unless otherwise noted on the specific job descriptions, generally you may begin volunteering at 16 years of age.
• Volunteers must donate a minimum of 100 hours of service annually and commit to a regularly scheduled work shift. Out of the 100 hours of service, 10 hours must be committed to clerical or special event support.
• Volunteers must abide by all patient confidentiality guidelines, customer service expectations, and hospital policies.

If accepted as a volunteer, you will be asked to:

• Pay an orientation fee to help defray the costs incurred by CHOC for your orientation, pre-screening procedures and training. You may request a refund of this fee once you complete your initial 100 hours of service (please see below)
• Attend a new Volunteer Orientation and complete additional on the job training as well as annual refresher training as required
• Adhere to CHOC’s incoming volunteer medical and background pre-screening requirements* (please see below)

Pre-Screening Requirements:

All CHOC Associates and Volunteers are required to undergo a routine heath screening and a background check prior to working at the hospital. If you are selected to join the CHOC volunteer team, we will need to collect the following information from you:

• Background Check - Birthdate, Social Security Number and Gender.
• Health Screening - Proof of two negative TB tests in a 12-month period* and proof of immunity to Chicken Pox, Rubella, Mumps and Rubeola**.

*CHOC’s Associate Health office can administer the TB tests once you have been accepted into the volunteer program. If you have a positive TB skin test, you will be asked to undergo additional screening. Please be aware that if required, the cost for this additional screening is not included in your administrative fee.

**Pertinent results from lab work can be submitted in lieu of a proof of vaccine records. CHOC’s Associate Health Office can help you obtain these tests. However, the cost for the additional lab work is not included in your administrative fee.

We encourage you to check with your primary care provider and your insurance company to compare costs for these additional expenses should they prove necessary. You may bring proof from your primary care provider in lieu of using CHOC’s Associate Health Office if it proves less expensive or more efficient to do so.

Volunteer dress code

In keeping with our commitment to professionalism and customer service, CHOC requires that its volunteers be neat, clean and well groomed while on duty. The following requirements are standard at CHOC for all Associates and volunteers:

• Volunteers must be in an approved uniform with a visible badge at all times when they are at CHOC, CHOC at Mission, or representing the hospitals at a public function – your first uniform top is included in the cost of your orientation fee. Additional pieces may be purchased from the Volunteer Services Office.
• Jeans, T-shirts, halter tops, stretch pants and open-toed shoes are all prohibited
• Stockings or socks must be worn with shoes at all time
• Make-up and jewelry must be used in moderation
• Hair should be neat and clean - volunteers with shoulder-length or longer hair working in patient care areas must wear hair secured off the shoulders
• Beards and mustaches must be trimmed and well-groomed
• Specific departments may have further guidelines due to the nature of the work