Volunteer Services
Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Children’s of Alabama. When joining the Volunteer Services team at Children's, you will become a part of a diverse group of an amazing team of volunteers who support patients, families, and Hospital staff through a number of assignments throughout the health system.
Volunteer Requirements
About Volunteering
Who: Anyone 16 years of age and older
What: Volunteers provide support to patients, families, and staff in a wide variety of roles.
When: Assignments will be same day/same time each week, typically 3 hours. Weekend and evening positions are limited.
Where: Main downtown Children’s of Alabama campus and Children’s South located off Highway 459
Cost: Volunteer uniform is $15
Commitment: Initial commitment of 48 volunteer hours.
Onboarding Process: Prior to volunteering the applicant must complete:
- Complete the online application. Apply Now
- Provide copy of the following vaccination records—Tdap, MMR, and Varicella
- Interview—this will also provide you with an overview of program expectations, the onboarding process, and specifics about available volunteer openings.
- Background check
- Flu shot annually
- Volunteers onboarding between October and March will be required to present proof of flu vaccine at the time of onboarding or complete a declination form.
- Tuberculosis blood test
- General hospital orientation (electronic or online)
- Training for specific volunteer position - This includes serving as a Guest Ambassador for the first weeks for 3 hours per week.
Contact Us
For more information about volunteer opportunities or to reach out with questions, please contact us at volunteer.services@childrensal.org
FAQs
Individual volunteers must be at least 16 years old.
No. The Volunteer program does not facilitate any internships, externships, observing or shadowing experiences at Children’s.
This is at the discretion of your volunteer liaison. When volunteers are assigned to an area, the staff is in no way obligated or expecting to write a letter of recommendation. Hours of service can be provided as a record for you.
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.
As an organization we do not accept volunteers with court ordered community service.
We appreciate your generosity; however, we are not able to accommodate group volunteering. We do offer several other opportunities that support the hospital’s mission such as fund-raising activities.
Several of our volunteer positions include contact with patients of all ages, from newborns to teens, and can sometimes include holding and a baby. We do not have a specific Baby Cuddler Program.
Unfortunately, due to infection control and confidentiality guidelines only in-hospital volunteers may come into contact with the patients in the hospital. If you or any members of your group would like to become an In-Hospital Volunteer please visit the volunteer requirements page to learn more.
