Our Services

Teen Volunteer Summer Program (Summer Only)

We invite teens ages 14-17 to participate in this eight-week program from June 17 through August 9 which provides a rewarding and worthwhile volunteer experience at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. As our regular volunteer program requires volunteers to be ages 18 and over, this is a special opportunity to engage teens who are interested in volunteering at Children’s.

The application deadline for the Teen Summer Program 2013 has passed!

Application Acceptance Notification

All applicants will be notified of their application status via email no later than May 5, 2013. There are a limited number of positions available; please be sure that to be considered you were required to submit an application, both reference forms and a schedule request form to be offered a position.

** We welcome and encourage new or returning teen volunteers who will be 18 years old before June of each calendar year, to apply via the online application and select “Adult” as the type of volunteer. Learn more about volunteering as an adult.

For any questions about the Teen Volunteer Program, please email us at chpvolunteer@chp.edu or call us at 412-692-5185.

Schedule and Positions
How to Apply
Program Requirements

Schedule and Positions

Teen volunteers become a part of Children’s Hospital Volunteer team from mid-June through mid-August by contributing in various positions while gaining exposure to a pediatric healthcare setting. Our shifts are available in five primary areas where teens will be under the supervision of Children’s Hospital staff: inpatient playrooms, Lemieux Sibling Center, Transport Team, Physical and Occupational Therapy; and Outpatient Activity Cart. Other positions in the hospital may become available prior to the start of the program; however, these are the areas where the majority of our Teen Volunteers are placed. Teen volunteers will have a weekly shift in one position/assignment area for the duration of the eight-week program. Each teen volunteer is required to complete a commitment of one shift every week (either three or four hours depending on the position) for the entire eight-week program.

The Teen Volunteer Program positions include:

Occupational and Physical Therapy
Shifts Available: M-F 9 a.m. to Noon / 1 to 4 p.m. / 3 to 6 p.m.
Assist PT/OT staff with cleaning items and equipment in PT gym, straightening/organizing of toys/supplies, evaluation closets and splint room cupboards, stocking linen, changing pillowcases, and assist with special projects and motivating patients and distracting siblings as needed.
Inpatient Playrooms
Shifts Available: M-F 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. / 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Engage in play and activities with hospitalized children of all ages in a playroom setting under the direction of a Child Life staff member. Assist patients and family members with creating arts and crafts, play games, and help with cleaning toys.
Lemieux Sibling Center
Shifts Available: M-F 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. / 1 to 4 p.m. / 4 to 7 p.m.
Engage in play and activities in the Lemieux Sibling Center, a special location dedicated to creating opportunities for play and learning for the brothers and sisters of patients. Assist with similar activities to those in the inpatient playrooms, but this area is exclusively for siblings and not for patients themselves.
Transport Team
Shifts Available: M-F 9 a.m. to Noon / 1 to 4 p.m.
Work alongside patient transport staff members as they transport patients between various areas of the hospital. Assist with cleaning and delivering equipment (wheelchairs, stretchers, coolers, etc.). Also may be asked to help escort patients and families for discharge or assist with belongings.
Outpatient Activity Cart
Shifts Available: M-F 9 a.m. to Noon / 1 to 4 p.m.
Host special activities for patients and families in the outpatient waiting areas on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the hospital. Stock and travel with an activity cart to these areas and lead arts and crafts activities, play games, and read books to children and families of all ages while they wait for their appointments. Assist with providing directions and being goodwill ambassadors to the busiest areas in the entire hospital.

For more information about the Teen Volunteer Program – refer to our Teen Volunteer Program FAQ Sheet.

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How to Apply (New Teen Volunteers Only)

To apply for this program, applicants are asked to complete an online prior to the deadline date. The application deadline for the Teen Summer Program 2013 has passed! Please check back in early 2014 for updated application information. .

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Teen Volunteer Program Requirements

To qualify for the program, teens must be between 14 and 17 years of age. Candidates must be 14 years of age on January 1 of that calendar year. If you turn 18 years old before the start date of the program, then you are no longer eligible to participate in the Teen Volunteer Program, however, we would love to have you as one of our adult volunteers. **
Complete all steps of the application process:
- Submit an online application by the deadline date
- Complete and return the Teen Volunteer Schedule Request Form within 2-3 days of receiving it (you will be emailed this form upon our receipt of your online application)
- TWO completed Teen Volunteer Reference Forms
Attend one of the scheduled Volunteer Orientations. This is a mandatory training session and to become a teen volunteer, you must attend one of these sessions.
All volunteers must have a TB test and complete the required paperwork. The TB form will be emailed to candidates who are offered volunteer positions for summer 2013. You must turn in the TB form to us with your test results before you are able to start your volunteer experience.