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Special Category Associate Application
Thank you for your interest in participating in the Special Category Associate Program at Children's National Hospital, an Equal Opportunity Employer (PDF).
In order to begin the Special Category application process, you must have confirmed with a Children's National staff member that they will serve as your supervisor while you assist, observe and/or shadow in their department.
Please follow these steps to start your onboarding:
- Read and sign the orientation packet (PDF) and confidentiality agreement (PDF).
- Fill out the in-take form (PDF). Once completed, please forward to your listed supervisor for processing.
- Complete the online safety quiz and error prevention training (answers can be found in the orientation packet).
- After your supervisor returns the in-take form and verification form, you will receive an email from Special Category within 30 days of your start date, providing two links. The first link will initiate your background check from Sterling background check company. The second link will initiate the drug testing (if applicable).
- Once you obtain the links, please send the following documents to Special Category:
- Signed confidentially agreement
- Online safety quiz and error prevention training certificate
- Head shot photo (utilized for assignment profile and badge)
- visa (If you are a Non-US citizen)
- Certificate of Insurance/Liability coverage (if applicable)
- Once you have been processed and completed onboarding, Special Category will provide your formal clearance letter. This will house your assignment, badge form and parking information. In addition, on-site associates must meet Children’s Occupational Health Clearance Requirements. This clearance includes evidence of tuberculosis screening, MMR titer results or immunization record, Varicella titer results or immunization record, TDAP vaccine record, flu vaccine record and a health screening from a physician.
Learn More About Special Category Associates
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Special Category Associates are non-employees. Associates serve in a variety of capacities, to include, but not limited to, observation/shadowing, administrative duties, providing patient activities, serving on hospital boards and specific tasks dedicated by the department in which they have an assignment. All tasks completed must be non-employee-based and cannot be employee-based.
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There is a minimum age requirement of 15 years of age.
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Associates must be passionate about children and our mission. It is important that associates work well in a team environment and are committed to meeting the needs of the patients and families we serve.
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The application process takes between four to six weeks.
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We strive to be as flexible as possible with our volunteers' time, and we ask the same in return. There are various opportunities for you to become engaged in that can fit your interests and availability. Please discuss your availability or preference with your supervisor prior to submitting the application.
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Commitment levels vary, depending on the assignment your supervisor chooses for you.
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We require all potential associates go through an approval, background and onboarding process before becoming an active Special Category Associate.
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Our Special Category Associates are trusted to work directly with our employees, patients and families and may handle sensitive information and resources, depending on the assignment. For the protection of our patients and children, we require criminal background checks of all staff and Special Category Associates (excluding Episodic associates). All information in the application, and any acquired through the background check, will remain confidential and is used only for screening and placement purposes.
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Yes. If you are not a resident of the United States, you will need to provide a copy of your visa and a passport in order to apply.
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When you submit the online application, it is expected that you have already confirmed with a Children’s National staff member that they will serve as your supervisor while you conduct your assignment in their department. We review the details in your application and verify the information with the supervisor before proceeding with onboarding.
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No. This just means you have been cleared medically from our Occupational Health team. Your assignment is not officially cleared until you have received a final clearance email from the Special Category Program.
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In order to ensure ample parking for patients and families, Special Category Associates are not permitted to park on site at the hospital. If you would like to park at one of our offsite locations, we can issue you a parking form to complete and return to the Security and Parking Office when you obtain your ID badge.
Special Category Associates are responsible for their own payment for parking.
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Badges can be picked up from the Security and Parking office at the main hospital, located on the first floor next to the Emergency Department. The office is open for badge pickup Tuesday-Thursday from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. No badge pickup is allowed on Mondays or Fridays.
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The Children's National ID (CNID) process can take up to one week to activate your Children’s email address and network access. You will receive an email from CNID with instructions to claim your access.
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Your manager will be notified of your clearance, the same day you receive your finalized email from Special Category. Managers or a representative from each department serves as first point of contact and instructs each associate of where to report to on their first day and what time to be there.
Contact Us
If you have additional questions, please email us.