Children's National Volunteer Program

The Children’s National Volunteer Program is the primary program of the Volunteer Services Department. All Children’s National volunteers commit to one regular volunteer assignment based on interest, availability and need. The minimum time commitment for all volunteer assignments will be once per week for one year. Shifts will range from 2-4 hours, depending on the specific volunteer assignment. All volunteer assignments in this program take place at the main hospital on Michigan Avenue NW.

Volunteer Opportunities

Hospitality

Hospitality volunteers are directly supervised by Volunteer Services Coordinators, and provide hospitality-based support in several areas of the hospital, including outpatient clinics, the Emergency Department, inpatient units and the Volunteer Services office. Weekly duties for volunteers include:

Greeting visitors at our welcome desk 
Assisting families and visitors with wayfinding    
Delivering flowers, packages, toys, and clothing  
Rounding with the hospitality cart on inpatient units 
Rounding with the caregiver coffee cart in outpatient areas  
Rounding in atrium and family waiting rooms 
Rounding up wagons and wheelchairs  
Providing administrative and organizational support

Hospitality volunteers must be 15 and older and commit to a regular weekly shift of two volunteer hours.

Seacrest Studios

Seacrest Studios volunteers are directly supervised by the Seacrest Studios Media Specialists. These volunteers will help spread joy to patients by assisting with studio programming, special events, and more. Duties of Seacrest Studios volunteers include:

Assisting with collecting bingo prizes, calling bingo games, and distributing bingo prizes to patients
Assisting with celebrity visits and other special events
Assisting Seacrest Studios staff with additional programmatic or administrative duties

Seacrest Studios volunteers must be 18 and older and commit to a regular weekly shift of 2 -3 hours.

Tutor

Volunteer tutors are directly supervised by the hospital’s Education Specialists. Volunteers assist patients with academics/schoolwork and offer educational enrichment opportunities for kids of all ages. Duties of volunteer tutors include:

Assisting patients with school assignments
Providing enrichment activities to patients
Assisting patients at bedside to log in to virtual learning platforms
Providing a brief summary/report of each session to program supervisors
Assisting Education Specialist staff with additional programmatic or administrative duties

Volunteer tutors must be 18 and older and commit to a regular weekly shift of two to three volunteer hours.

Canine Courier

Canine Courier volunteers are directly supervised by the Animal Visitation program coordinator. Duties of canine courier volunteers include:

Assisting and escorting pet visitation teams to outpatient and inpatient areas
Remaining with the pet visitation team for the duration of their volunteer shift
Assisting with additional programs and special events

Canine Courier volunteers must be 18 and older and commit to a regular weekly shift of two volunteer hours.

Unit Based Volunteers

Unit Based volunteers are assigned to one specific unit/department at the hospital, and report directly to the Child Life Specialist(s) and nursing staff on their assigned unit. Weekly volunteer duties include:

Visiting with patients and engaging in play activities at the bedside
Escorting patients to events (Seacrest Studios, Healing Garden, playrooms)
Cleaning and organizing playroom toys
Restocking unit clothing closets

Unit based volunteers must be 18 and older and commit to a regular weekly shift of two volunteer hours for at least one year. If a unit based volunteer would like to increase their shift to three hours, they can assist with hospitality support for this additional hour of volunteer service.

*Volunteers currently in school to pursue a career in Child Life may be eligible to increase their weekly shift to four hours. If you are interested in learning more about other Child Life Training Programs, please visit our main Child Life Services webpage.

Healing Garden

Healing Garden volunteers are directly supervised by the Activity Coordinators who manage all Healing Garden activities and events. Volunteers will assist with programmatic, administrative and special events in the outdoor Healing Garden, playrooms and other identified program spaces. Duties of volunteers include:

Assisting with craft and activity tables for programs and events
Assisting with registration and/or refreshment tables for programs and events
Playing Dr. Bear or Dr. Bear’s handler at events
Performing as costume characters for events
Providing support for playroom activities hosted by the Healing Garden
Assisting Activity Coordinators with additional programmatic or administrative duties

Healing Garden Volunteers must be 15 and older and commit to a regular weekly shift of two to three volunteer hours.

Family Resource Center

Resource Center volunteers are directly supervised by the Family Library & Resource Center Coordinator. Duties of volunteers include:

Maintaining the library space and ensure it is a clean, welcoming space for patients and families
Interacting with patients, families and visitors in the Family Resource Center in a friendly and professional manner
Assisting with special events, activities and projects
Reading to patients at bedside (Bedside Readers only)
Running the Book Cart in outpatient and inpatient areas
Assisting Family Resource Center staff with additional programmatic or administrative duties

Family Resource Center volunteers must be 15 and older and commit to a regular weekly shift of two volunteer hours.

Explore Our Volunteer Program

What are the current openings in the Volunteer Program?

Our volunteer application is currently closed. We will resume volunteer recruitment in February 2025. Please check back here to access the online application during that time.

What are the onboarding requirements for volunteers?

All accepted Children’s National Volunteers are required to complete:

Online application
Professional reference
Interview with a member of the Child Life & Integrative Care Services Team (by invitation only)
Medical clearance through Occupational Health
Online background check
Mandatory onsite training
Additional online orientations and trainings as needed