Volunteer FAQs

You will need to bring your completed immunization form and your parking voucher so we can validate it.

For interview and orientation parking, use the visitor garage on 7th Avenue. We will validate your parking voucher.

When you receive your volunteer I.D. badge on your first day, you will be able to park free of charge in the employee garage on W Terrell Ave. Your badge will allow you access into and out of the garage.

Contact your doctor's office. Tell them what you need. If you are a student, your school or university should have a copy of your immunization record. If you do not have a doctor, please contact the Health Department in the county where you are a resident.

It is a skin test that checks for exposure to tuberculosis (TB). It involves a small injection into the top layer of skin on your forearm. Volunteers complete the TB testing free of charge at Cook Children's, after completing orientations. You can get the test from your doctor, health department, etc, but you will be responsible for the cost. The TB test is an annual requirement for volunteers.

Yes. All volunteers and staff are required to have an annual flu vaccination. It is free of charge for volunteers at Cook Children's. If you have it done somewhere else, you will just need to show proof to our Occupational Health Clinic.

Contact Cook Children's Occupational Health Services, 682-885-3837.

Unfortunately, no. A Social Security number is necessary to be able to complete a background check which is a requirement for all volunteers.

We do not accept court ordered community service. You may contact Volunteer Now, www.vcnt.org for a list of agencies that do.

As a pediatric medical facility, we work with a very vulnerable population. We want to be sure that children and families are safe while in our care and that staff and volunteers are working in a secure environment. We do not include a credit check as part of the background check.

We ask for a minimum commitment of 50 hours in a 12-month period. Most volunteers come once a week for a 3-4 hour shift. You are scheduled the same set day and time each week, although some placements allow for self-scheduling.

Yes. We ask new volunteers to commit to volunteering once a week until you become settled in your new role. If after a period of time you want to increase your volunteer hours, you can discuss it with your volunteer coordinator.

It depends on the placement you choose. Some placements have volunteers who come every other week or even once a month.

We have placements that allow you to have a flexible schedule like monthly support group sitters, patient pals, or lend-a-hand projects.

We have two orientation classes: New Volunteer and Patient Care. Both are offered monthly (evenings or Saturdays).

New Volunteer Orientation is three hours and is necessary for all new volunteers.

Patient Care is four hours and only for those who will work one-on-one with patients/siblings.

Additionally, when you are assigned to a specific unit/department, you will receive an area-specific training and tour on your first day. Most areas have volunteer mentors you can shadow before starting on your own.

Zero Harm Safety Training is three hours and required within three months of your start date.

Orientation training is free and includes a meal and all training supplies.

You will need to purchase a Cook Children's volunteer polo shirt from our Enchanted Castle gift shop as part of your volunteer uniform. They range in cost starting from $17 (plus tax) depending on the size. The shirts are sold at cost so no additional discount is available.

The application lists all the current placement openings. By clicking on a placement, you can read about the services provided by the volunteer and the requirements for the placement. Placements are divided into Helping Hands and Patient Care. Helping Hands are placements where you meet patients/families but are not responsible for them by yourself. Patient Care are placements where you can be left alone to work one on one with a patient or sibling at bedside, in playrooms or waiting areas. At the time of your interview, a Volunteer Services Coordinator will talk with you about placement options that are a possible match to your skills, experiences, abilities and interests.

No. Volunteers serve to meet the non-clinical needs of the patients, families, and hospital. While you may serve alongside clinical and non-clinical staff, you will not be able to shadow them.

Volunteering will not lead directly to an offer of employment. All employment opportunities are handled by our Human Resources/Talent Management Department. You may search current careers opportunities available at Cook Children's.

Call the Volunteer Services office at 682-885-4337 for assistance.