About Us

The volunteer commitment is for one year or for two consecutive summers at a minimum of 8 weeks each summer. The minimum requirement for volunteering is a four-hour time slot per week for a period of a year.  All volunteers must be age16 or older.

• High School Students:   weekday/daytime summer shifts only.  All shifts must be completed  by 5:30 p.m. 
• Summer Volunteers:   must do two (2) consecutive summers keeping to a set schedule.  A summer consists of 8 hours once a week during the daytime, weekday (not nights or weekends) and a minimum of 8 weeks each summer.

The Summer Program is all set. Thank you to all who have applied! The deadline to request an application for a fall start is Wednesday, June 12, 2013. 

Once you are accepted

• Volunteers must have a criminal background check before starting.  Processing time for this is two to four weeks after acceptance into the program.
• Orient and attend a two-hour training session.
•  Complete the following health screening:
  • Two Tuberculosis tests, provided by the hospital free of charge.
  • Proof of two measles, mumps and rubella vaccines or titre or the hospital will provide free of charge.
  • Proof of Chickenpox by two doses of chickenpox/varicella vaccine, medical documentation of disease or titre or the hospital will provide free of charge.
  • Abide by the Influenza policy regarding seasonal vaccine needs.

Who we are

The Volunteer Services Department at Boston Children's Hospital is a diverse, trained group of more than 700 individuals who selflessly devote thousands of hours each year to support the hospital staff and patients.

Whether playing with children during waiting times, helping families find their way in the halls or answering phones, the volunteers at Children's make a difference providing a special human connection that often eases the stress for patients and families going through difficult times.

Volunteer opportunities at Boston

Volunteers are allowed to play with children or to complete non-medical tasks.  Patient privacy and confidentiality are respected, and individual illnesses are not discussed. 

Off-site locations (daytime/weekday only):

• Boston Children’s Hospital at Lexington
• Boston Children’s Hospital at Peabody
• Boston Children’s Hospital at Waltham
• Martha Eliot Health Center, Jamaica Plain  (Spanish fluency very helpful)

Off-site Volunteer opportunities include:

• Help with the admission process. 
• Meet and greet patients and families, escort families to their destination, sort the mail and answer general questions. 
• Create and coordinate short term activities to occupy patients and siblings in waiting areas.

If you are interested in volunteering off-site, please contact the Volunteer Department Boston Campus. 

Boston Children's Hospital at Boston

Volunteer opportunities include:

• Assist  patients and families at time of discharge.
• Greet and direct families and patients to appropriate destination.
• Escort families and patients to sites throughout the hospital.  Bilingual skills are helpful.
• Answer phones, assemble packets, file, copy & collate and complete data entry in offices.
• Play with children and siblings in waiting areas, in play areas, in the Emergency Department and at bedsides.

 Volunteer placements include:

• In patient care areas
• In offices and departments
• In Main Lobby or throughout the hospital
• Ambulatory Care Areas
• Emergency Department

Patient Family Housing Programs (21 Autumn Street and Kent Street) 

• The Patient Family Housing Program provides affordable accommodations  to families.  Volunteers assure that families are comfortable and occupied during their stay.

Pawprints: (Boston Campus / weekdays only)

•  Pawprints is Children's therapy dog visitation program.  Boston Children’s Hospital volunteers own the dogs.  The goal of Pawprints is to provide hospitalized children and their families with a healthy diversion from the usual hospital routine and an opportunity for social interaction. Learn more about Pawprints.  For more information, visit our website. 

Special Projects

• Create afghans, quilts and blankets of all sizes for patients of all ages.  During fall and winter months, create mittens and scarves for all ages to be distributed in ambulatory programs.  We are not in need of hats at this time as we are fortunate to have many groups making hats.
• Organize picture book drives for Reach Out and Read Program and the Emergency Department
• Organize magazine drives for clinic waiting areas, Admitting and the Emergency Department
• The hospital can only accept brand new books.

Volunteer opportunities @CHB at Lexington

Weekdays, daytime only

If you are interested in the Lexington Campus, please email the Volunteer Department Boston Campus or call 617-355-7885.

In admitting area

Helping the admission process, interacting with patients and families, and playing with the youngsters while they wait. The need is for daytime, weekday volunteers.

Volunteer opportunities @Martha Eliot Health Center
at Jamaica Plain

Weekdays, daytime only

If you are interested in the Martha Eliot Center, please email the Volunteer Department in Boston or call 617-355-7885.

• Play with children in the waiting areas, Spanish fluency very helpful
• Provide clerical support at reception desks

Volunteer opportunities @Boston Children's North at Peabody

Hours:  Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00 pm

If you are interested in Peabody, please email the Volunteer Department in Boston or call 617-355-7885

• Create and conduct short term activities in two busy multi-specialty ambulatory clinics.
• Act as liaison with patients and staff to help ensure efficient registration process.

Volunteer opportunities @CHB at Waltham

Weekdays, daytime only

If you are interested in the Waltham Campus, please email the Volunteer Department Boston Campus or call 617-355-7885.

In Main Information/Reception Area

Meet and greet patients and families, escort families to their destination if needed, provide directions and basic information, sort the mail and answer general questions.

In Ambulatory Specialty Clinic Area

• Create and coordinate short term activities to occupy patients and siblings. May float to other ambulatory clinics or information desk, if needed.
• A minimum of one four hour shift once a week during the weekday is required.