What are the hospital's placement requirements? Most volunteers contribute three to four hours each week. However, we are flexible and will try to accommodate your schedule.
Teen volunteers serve 20 – 30 hours in limited patient contact areas such as the Small World Gift Shop, Information Desk, Family Resource Center , etc. before volunteering in direct patient contact areas.
When do you need volunteers?Our greatest need for volunteers is Monday–Friday before 6 p.m.
Evening and weekend volunteering at St. Louis Children's Hospital is very popular. It is also our peak time for families and friends to visit our patients. Because of this, demand for evening volunteers is not as great as our Monday – Friday day shifts.
I would really prefer to work only with infants. Can I still volunteer? The hospital does not have a maternity department, although infants are often transported for care in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Volunteers may work in our NICU after completing one year of service.
After I complete my application, how long will it be until I can start volunteering? The process normally takes four to six weeks. As a children's hospital, it is our responsibility to ensure the safety of our patients through a thorough screening process.
I’m getting ready to complete a service project/service hours through my school. Is that the same as volunteering?Students are accepted for service project or service hour volunteering on a space available basis. All students must complete the standard 50-hour volunteer service requirement, even if their school requires fewer hours. To be considered, students are required to contact Volunteer Services directly at 314.454.6145 before submitting an application.
Can I do court ordered community service?As an organization we do not accept volunteers with court ordered community service.Can my group/organization/school/company come for one day and visit the children?St. Louis Children’s Hospital appreciates your generosity; however, due to patient confidentiality purposes, we are not set up to accommodate group volunteering. We do offer several other opportunities that support the hospital’s mission such as fund-raising activities. For more information, contact the St. Louis Children’s Hospital Foundation, 314.286.0988.