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Requirements & information sessions

Prospective CHOC volunteers are asked to attend a virtual information session to learn more about our programs. Information sessions allow our staff the opportunity to meet you and get to know you better.

Before reserving a spot at an information session, please understand the following requirements of CHOC volunteers so we may support a safe and healthy environment for all:

  • Volunteers must be at least 18 years old at the time of signing up for an information session. No exceptions.
  • Volunteers must be able to commit to a regularly scheduled shift once a week. Most shifts run three to four hours.
  • Volunteers must dedicate a minimum of 100 hours of service (no summer-only volunteer opportunities). 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. The safety and protection of our patients and families is our first priority.
  • Volunteers must adhere to our dress code:  full-length tan pants, CHOC uniform shirt (will be provided at no cost), closed-toe shoes, and no artificial nails (no gel, powder dipped or acrylic nails) in roles with patient contact.
  • Volunteers must have access to or possess a computer and email address. The Volunteer Programs department utilizes email to communicate vital information.
  • Upon acceptance, volunteers must adhere to CHOC’s incoming volunteer medical and background pre-screening requirements:
    • show proof of immunizations against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR); varicella (chicken pox); COVID-19; Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis); and influenza (only during flu season);
    • show proof of two negative tuberculosis (TB) skin tests in a 12-month period or a Quantiferon-TB Gold test in a 60-day period. If you have tested positive in the past, you must show proof of chest X-ray within a 12-month period;
    • complete a urine drug screen test;
    • pass a background check and complete a reference form; and
    • complete online training modules and attend a new volunteer orientation

Information sessions

Due to system upgrades, a pause will be placed on all volunteer Information Sessions. We appreciate your patience, please continue to check back on a monthly basis for updates.

High school students
At this time, we are unable to offer any volunteer opportunities for high school students due to the limited volunteer positions available for minors. Please continue to check back periodically for an update. Here are some other ways for high school students to get involved:

  • Learn more about CHOC’s Medical Intelligence and Innovation Institute’s summer internship program.
  • Start a fundraiser to support CHOC and the care it provides.

CHOC Pet Therapy Program

We are not currently accepting new pet therapy dogs at either hospital campus. Please check back periodically for an update.

In order to be considered to join our Pet Therapy Program, you must have a dog already certified under Pet Partners. Dogs not allowed into the Pet Therapy Program at CHOC: Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Presa Canarios, Akitas, Alaskan Malamutes, Chow Chows, Doberman Pinschers and Siberian Huskies. No exceptions.

If you have any questions or would like more information about our Pet Therapy Program, please email us at volunteers@choc.org.