Volunteer Hilary, left, and Timia take time out from their games in the playroom.
Volunteer
FIRST STEPS
Volunteers at Children’s Hospital & Research Center Oakland commit to a minimum of one shift per week for at least six months of continuous service, and a total minimum commitment of 100 hours. You must be 16 years or older, in good general and mental health, have no criminal record, and be available on a long-term basis.
Our service-based volunteer program helps meet the needs of patients, patient families and staff. It is not a job-training program, an internship, nor does it provide medical shadowing. We do not accept court-ordered placements.
First Steps
1. Download the Volunteer Health Clearance form and the application form (PDF). Reading the Frequently Asked Questions list first may be helpful as you fill out the two forms.
2. Send us your completed Volunteer Application and Volunteer Health Clearance forms together (please do not send one without the other) by mail or by faxing them to (510) 597-7133. Be sure to include a cover sheet with your name, phone number, and total number of pages being faxed. Mail should be addressed to:
Volunteer Department
Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland
747 52nd Street
Oakland, CA 94609
Please do not bring your forms to the office. We suggest you make copies of your completed forms for your files.
3. We will review your application and conduct a background check. This process takes approximately two weeks.
4. Once your application is successfully completed, we will schedule you for an orientation meeting and a placement interview. During the placement interview, we may determine that you will need additional training before you begin volunteering, for example, to be an Inpatient Floor Volunteer, or to help out in the Emergency Room.
Orientation is a mandatory two-hour meeting, usually held once each month. At the volunteer orientation you will learn about the history of the hospital, how the volunteer program fits with Children's mission, and about your responsibilities as a volunteer. You will also learn important health and safety information about volunteering in our hospital and clinics.
Volunteering is fun, rewarding and an essential part of Children's Hospital. Volunteers are genuinely appreciated throughout the hospital. Most of all, the kids in our community need us.
We look forward to you joining our program!
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