Children's National Volunteer Program

The Children’s National Volunteer Program is the primary program of the Volunteer Services Department. All Children’s National volunteers commit to one regular volunteer assignment based on interest, availability and need. The minimum time commitment for all volunteer assignments will be once per week for one year. Shifts will range from 2-4 hours, depending on the specific volunteer assignment. All volunteer assignments in this program take place at the main hospital on Michigan Avenue NW.

Volunteer Opportunities

Explore our volunteer opportunities at our Main and Extended Campus.

Main Campus

Hospitality

Hospitality volunteers are directly supervised by Volunteer Services Coordinators, and provide hospitality-based support in several areas of the hospital, including outpatient clinics, the Emergency Department, inpatient units and the Volunteer Services office. Weekly duties for volunteers include:

Greeting visitors at our welcome desk 
Assisting families and visitors with wayfinding    
Delivering flowers, packages, toys, and clothing  
Rounding with the hospitality cart on inpatient units 
Rounding with the caregiver coffee cart in outpatient areas  
Rounding in atrium and family waiting rooms 
Rounding up wagons and wheelchairs  
Providing administrative and organizational support

Hospitality volunteers must be 15 and older and commit to a regular weekly shift of two volunteer hours.

Seacrest Studios

Seacrest Studios volunteers are directly supervised by the Seacrest Studios Media Specialists. These volunteers will help spread joy to patients by engaging and assisting with games, activities, special events, and more in the studio. Duties of Seacrest Studios volunteers include:

Engaging in games and activities with patients in the studio
Collecting and distributing prizes to patients
Assisting with celebrity visits and other special events
Assisting Seacrest Studios staff with additional programmatic or administrative duties
Must be 18+ and commit to a weekly shift of two to three hours

Tutor

Volunteer tutors are directly supervised by the hospital’s Education Specialists. Volunteers assist patients with academics/schoolwork and offer educational enrichment opportunities for kids of all ages. Duties of volunteer tutors include:

Assisting patients with school assignments
Providing enrichment activities to patients
Assisting patients at bedside to log in to virtual learning platforms
Providing a brief summary/report of each session to program supervisors
Assisting Education Specialist staff with additional programmatic or administrative duties

Volunteer tutors must be 18 and older and commit to a regular weekly shift of two to three volunteer hours.

Canine Courier

Canine Courier volunteers are directly supervised by the Animal Visitation program coordinator. Duties of canine courier volunteers include:

Assisting and escorting pet visitation teams to outpatient and inpatient areas
Remaining with the pet visitation team for the duration of their volunteer shift
Assisting with additional programs and special events

Canine Courier volunteers must be 18 and older and commit to a regular weekly shift of two volunteer hours.

Gaming Technology

Gaming Technology volunteers report directly to the Patient Gaming Technology Coordinator and work to support the goals and mission of the Patient Gaming Department within Children’s National. Volunteer duties include:

Playing games with patients, siblings, and families at bedside (Console, PC, & Tabletop)
Assisting with special gaming events
Equipment upkeep & basic cleaning (i.e.. wiping down volunteer cart before/after use and notifying Patient Gaming Coordinator if equipment is not functioning properly)

Volunteers will work with patients ages 5 to 18 across a variety of hospital units. The primary task will be visiting referred patients at bedside with a gaming cart (containing an Xbox & Nintendo Switch 2) and playing video games with them.

Gaming Technology volunteers must be 18 and older and commit to a regular weekly shift of two volunteer hours.

Unit Based Volunteers

Unit Based volunteers are assigned to one specific unit/department at the hospital, and report directly to the Child Life Specialist(s) and nursing staff on their assigned unit. Weekly volunteer duties include:

Visiting with patients and engaging in play activities at the bedside
Escorting patients to events (Seacrest Studios, Healing Garden, playrooms)
Cleaning and organizing playroom toys
Restocking unit clothing closets

Unit based volunteers must be 18 and older and commit to a regular weekly shift of two volunteer hours for at least one year. If a unit based volunteer would like to increase their shift to three hours, they can assist with hospitality support for this additional hour of volunteer service.

*Volunteers currently in school to pursue a career in Child Life may be eligible to increase their weekly shift to four hours. If you are interested in learning more about other Child Life Training Programs, please visit our main Child Life Services webpage.

Healing Garden

Healing Garden volunteers are directly supervised by the Activity Coordinators who manage all Healing Garden activities and events. Volunteers will assist with programmatic, administrative and special events in the outdoor Healing Garden, playrooms and other identified program spaces. Duties of volunteers include:

Assisting with craft and activity tables for programs and events
Assisting with registration and/or refreshment tables for programs and events
Playing Dr. Bear or Dr. Bear’s handler at events
Performing as costume characters for events
Providing support for playroom activities hosted by the Healing Garden
Assisting Activity Coordinators with additional programmatic or administrative duties

Healing Garden Volunteers must be 15 and older and commit to a regular weekly shift of two to three volunteer hours.

Family Resource Center

Resource Center volunteers are directly supervised by the Family Library & Resource Center Coordinator. Duties of volunteers include:

Maintaining the library space and ensure it is a clean, welcoming space for patients and families
Interacting with patients, families and visitors in the Family Resource Center in a friendly and professional manner
Assisting with special events, activities and projects
Reading to patients at bedside (Bedside Readers only)
Running the Book Cart in outpatient and inpatient areas
Assisting Family Resource Center staff with additional programmatic or administrative duties

Family Resource Center volunteers must be 15 and older and commit to a regular weekly shift of two volunteer hours.

Science Journeys Volunteer

Extended Campus

Bunker Hill - Unit Volunteer

Kids in Action - Event Volunteer

Food Pharmacy Volunteer

In collaboration with the Capital Area Food Bank, the Children’s National primary care clinic in Columbia Heights has opened a Food Pharmacy program that provides around 200 distributions of free, nutritious food to their patients every month. Food Pharmacy Volunteers support the Food Pharmacy’s food deliveries and packing at our Columbia Heights location.

Must be at least 15 years of age
Must commit to a weekly shift of two to four hours
Must have reliable transportation

Explore Our Volunteer Program

What are the onboarding requirements for volunteers?

All Children’s National Volunteers are required to complete:

Online application – open July 30 – Aug. 3
Professional reference (optional but recommended) – due within five days of application submission
Interview (by invitation only) – Aug.19- Sept. 4
Medical clearance through Occupational Health – due Oct. 1
Online background check – due Oct. 5
Final onboarding requirements deadline –Oct. 7
Mandatory onsite training – Sat., Oct. 10, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Additional online orientations and trainings as needed

What are the current openings in the Volunteer Program?

We will be accepting applications for the following roles:

Family Resource Center Volunteer
Gaming Technology
Healing Garden Volunteer
Hospitality Volunteer
Pet Visitation Team
Seacrest Studio Volunteer
Volunteer Tutor
Unit Volunteer
All Extended Campus roles

Apply Today

Applications for our Fall 2026 recruitment period will be available here beginning on July 30.

Applications will remain open until Aug. 3 or until we reach our maximum number of applicants, whichever comes first.

Please check back here to access the applications at that time!

What is the time commitment for volunteers?

The minimum time commitment for all Children’s National Volunteer assignments is once per week for one year. Volunteer shifts will range from 2-4 hours, depending on the specific volunteer assignment.

What are the physical demands of volunteering?

Volunteering requires standing and/or sitting.
Volunteering may include pushing an activity or book cart for at least one hour at a time.
Volunteering may include pushing a wheelchair with a patient that weighs up to 100 lbs.
Volunteering may include holding an infant/toddler for an extended period of time.
Volunteering may include lifting donated items that may weigh at least 10 lbs. such as toys, stuffed animals, games, and books, as well as transporting items to various areas on carts.
Reasonable accommodations will be considered for qualified applicants with disabilities.

What are the expectations of a volunteer?

Our volunteers represent Children's National Hospital, and we hold high expectations for our volunteers to ensure that our patients and families have the best hospital experience possible. As a Children’s National Volunteer, you will be expected to:

Learn and exercise hospital safety and behavior conduct guidelines
Protect patient identity and privacy
Dress appropriately and according to hospital guidelines
Engage in age-appropriate play and interactions with patients
Work with patients of all ages, backgrounds and developmental abilities
Be a source of information about the hospital for patients and their families
Be a source of fun and comfort for patients and their families

Important Reminder

Volunteers do not perform medical procedures of any kind or receive information regarding the medical diagnosis, treatment or prognosis of any patient. The Volunteer Program does not provide the opportunity to shadow physicians, nurses or other healthcare providers.