High School Volunteers

Applicants need to complete all of the following steps in order to volunteer at Chapel Hill or our Hillsborough Campus. Please note that the steps needed to become a volunteer are listed in the order that they must be completed.

1. Complete the online application. The application includes several short answer essays. One sentence per question is not sufficient. If all questions are not answered, your application will not be considered.
2. Summer applicants are required to have two recommendation forms completed in order to be considered for the program. One recommendation must come from a teacher at your high school and one recommendation must come from a NON-FAMILY Community Member (Coach, Religious Leader, Club Adviser, Employer, etc.). A link to the recommendation forms is sent to you by email after you complete your application.  References are due March 15th for the 2022 Summer Program.
3. After your application is received, you may be contacted for a personal interview. Unfortunately due to the volume of applicants we are unable to interview all candidates.
4. If you are selected for an interview, please come prepared with what day(s) of the week you are available to volunteer for the summer. Chapel Hill interviews are held at Volunteer Services, ground floor, N.C. Memorial Hospital, 101 Manning Drive. Hillsborough Campus interviews are held at Hillsborough Hospital, 430 Waterstone Drive, in the Volunteer Services Office on the first floor.

If you are selected to volunteer:

1. Complete the Immunization and Tuberculosis Review Form.  Completed COVID Vaccination is mandatory for all volunteers.
2. Obtain a 2-step TB test. They can be done at your local health department, drug store, or family doctor. It takes 48 hours to read each result, and they must be placed at least a week apart, so plan ahead. This must be completed prior to orientation and will require four visits to your provider. Alternatively, you could get the IGRA test which will be one visit and takes about 5 days to receive results.
3. Complete the Parent/Guardian Permission Form.
4. Complete our Online Compliance Modules.
5. Immunization Form, Parent/Guardian Form and Online Compliance Modules will be emailed to you after you are selected to volunteer and are to be completed prior to orientation.
6. Attend orientation and begin volunteering!

• Where is the Volunteer Services office located?
  
  • Chapel Hill: We are located on the ground floor of the Memorial Hospital behind the escalators and dental clinic. You can ask any information desk how to find us if you need to.
  • Hillsborough: We are located on the first floor at 430 Waterstone Drive, Hillsborough.
• How do I become a volunteer?
  Applicants need to complete all of the following steps on our Application and Required Forms section in order to volunteer at UNC Medical Center. Please note that the steps needed to become a volunteer are listed in the order that they must be completed.
• How old must I be to volunteer?
  The Junior Volunteer program is open to high school students ages 14+ (by the time volunteering begins) and who have completed the 9th grade.
• How many hours do I have to volunteer per semester?
  For the summer session, you must volunteer at least 7 weeks of the program and complete a minimum of 45 hours to remain in good standing. For the academic year program (only previous summer program volunteers are eligible for Chapel Hill) you must commit to one 2-3 hour shift a week.
• Can I start volunteering at any time? Are there short-term opportunities?
  Unfortunately, no. We also only offer orientation once at beginning of the summer session, which is mandatory before you may volunteer. Because of the time and cost it takes to register/train volunteers, commitments are long-term.
  
• What is the volunteer commitment?
  Volunteers commit to complete a minimum number of hours each semester (2-3 hours/week in the academic year and 45 hours/total in the summer) and to be prompt, courteous, and in good attendance each week for the duration of the semester; you are not expected to work over certain breaks or holidays. Our volunteers are committed to being friendly, willing, and go-getters each shift, so we hope you are too!
• What do I do about parking?
  High school volunteers may park free in the Chapel Hill Hospital parking deck and will receive a parking hang tag. Parking is free and no hang tag is needed at Hillsborough.
• I am graduating from High School, should I be in the High School Volunteer Program or College Program over the summer?
  

  Graduating Seniors are placed in the High School Program.

• How long is the registration process?
  For the summer session: applications for volunteers are accepted from early February or until we receive our applicant capacity, with rolling interviews from March-capacity is reached and orientation the beginning of June. Be sure to check the main page for High School Volunteers for deadline updates. In Chapel Hill, only returning summer volunteers are able to volunteer during the academic year.
• Can I mail in my application?
  No. Your application must be completed online.
  

• What is this 2-step TB test that I need?
  The 2-step TB test is required of all volunteers before they may begin volunteering. Once you are accepted into the program, you will need to get 2 TB tests done and read (it will take 48 hours for each test to be read) and bring the results with you at orientation.  The 2nd test can be placed one week after the 1st is read.  Alternatively, you may get the IGRA instead. The 2-step TB test needs to be less than a year old as of the day you start volunteering
• I have the BCG Vaccine; do I still need the 2-step TB test?
  Yes, proof of BCG Vaccine is not sufficient. Applicants must have a 2 step TB test result less than a year old or a chest X-ray within the past 2 years.
• Do I have to have a COVID-19 Vaccination?
  Yes, all UNC Health volunteers must have completed their COVID-19 Vaccination(s).  There are no exceptions. Boosters are also recommended, but not required at this time.

• I can’t make orientation, what I can do?
  Every volunteer must attend an orientation before they are able to volunteer. It is a mandatory requirement of the Joint Commission of Healthcare Organizations.
• Does it cost anything to be a volunteer?
  We ask that volunteers pay $10 to purchase the required uniform polo shirt to help defray the costs to the Medical Center.
• Is there a required uniform?
  Yes. There is a required uniform polo shirt which you purchase in our office for $10. Additionally, Junior Volunteers must wear khaki pants or skirts longer than knee length and closed-toed shoes.
• What about training?
  Before you begin your assignment, you'll receive training at orientation for general hospital protocols, safety, and infection control. Each area has a job description that outlines the duties and expectations. Once in your area you will be given further details about your job duties; some have a separate training and others are on-the-job.
• What are the interviews about? Does everyone get one? Why are they done?
  This is a popular program, and there are limited spaces available. The interview gives us an opportunity to meet each other and for you to see the medical center environment. It might help you decide if this is the right place for you to volunteer, and we can be assured that we are accepting students who will be well-suited and committed to the program. Unfortunately, not everyone will be contacted for an interview due to the amount of applications we receive. Additionally, not every applicant who interviews will be accepted into the program. If you don’t receive an interview or position, we encourage you to reapply the next summer.
• What if I don’t know my family vacation dates when I submit my summer application?

  You need to make sure you are available for at least seven weeks during the summer session. If you are planning a family vacation, trip to the beach, sports camp, etc... that will not allow you to meet your obligation, please apply to volunteer another summer when you are able to make this commitment.

• I want a position that is hands-on, what can I do?
  Although High School Volunteers are not given the option of choosing which position they would like to be assigned, placement is a collaborative process. The Volunteer Services staff will place you in a position that we believe will best suit your interests and also the needs of the service area.
• Can I do more than one volunteer day at a time?
  We are unable to assign more than one volunteer day. This allows us to let as many interested young volunteers experience the hospital setting. If we end up with more shifts, we will let you know and offer additional times.
  
• Do I always get the volunteer position I want?
  We will try our best to place you in an area that you are interested in and hope that you are open to helping us out where we need it most. While the position is assigned, we will take into consideration your interests and preferences.
• Are there volunteer positions on the weekends or evenings?
  Our time frames are as follows: One day a week (Monday-Friday) to volunteer with very limited weekend opportunities.
  Academic Year Volunteers: Immediately after school (by 5pm at the latest) for 2 hours.
  Summer Volunteers: 9am to 4pm
• What if I volunteered last summer and I want to come back?
  You will receive an application in January from the Volunteer Coordinator about registering. We love our veterans!
• Do you offer the opportunity to shadow physicians or observe in a clinical setting?
  

  Volunteer Services does not arrange shadowing. Interested parties must contact Hospital Departments individually to set up shadow experiences. View shadowing forms and guidelines. Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older to shadow.