Volunteer at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital

A Little Help Goes a Long Way

While our doctors, nurses and other health care professionals work hard to provide the best in pediatric health care to this region, East Tennessee Children's Hospital's volunteers devote numerous hours of their free time to help the hospital run smoothly.

At East Tennessee Children's Hospital, we depend on our volunteers. Since the mid-1960s, the Children's Hospital Volunteers have been helping the hospital and patient families to have a more comfortable hospital experience.

Be a Volunteer

Each month, hundreds of area women and men unselfishly give a few hours of their time, to help our young patients and their families. Volunteers devote many hours to managing projects and fundraisers that purchase supplies and fund services to make a child's stay in the hospital more enjoyable. As a volunteer, you can make a significant contribution to the mission of Children's Hospital - providing the very best in pediatric health care to the sick and injured children of our region.

Opportunities

Child Life

Patient Floors
Volunteers who serve with Child Life on the patient floors create safe, positive, and nurturing play experiences through activities such as arts, crafts, conversations, games, and visits.

Shifts are Sunday to Saturday
9am – 1pm
1pm – 5pm
5pm – 9pm
Emergency Department
Volunteers who serve with Child Life in the Emergency Department create safe, positive, and nurturing play experiences through activities such as arts, crafts, conversations, games, and visits.

Shifts are Sunday to Saturday
11am – 1pm
1pm – 4pm
4pm – 7pm
7pm – 9pm

Cart Positions

Family and Friends Cart
Family and Friends Cart Volunteers provide hospitality items as a convenience to our patient’s parents or guardians. These items provide small “comforts” that they may need during their time at the hospital free of charge. Volunteers adequately restock the cart upon returning from rounds.

Shifts are Monday to Friday
Flexible afternoon hours (typically 1-2 hours).
Book Cart
Book Cart Volunteers distribute books and encourage the enjoyment of reading to patients / families on cart rounds by helping in the selection process of age-appropriate material. Volunteers adequately restock the cart upon returning from rounds.

Shifts are Monday to Friday
Flexible afternoon hours (typically 1-2 hours).
Movie Cart
Movie Cart Volunteers offer DVDs to patients and families during cart rounds on inpatient floors to provide comfort and relaxation. They assist with selecting age-appropriate titles and ensure DVDs are cleaned and reshelved upon return.

Shifts are Sunday to Saturday
9am-12pm
Flexible afternoon hours (typically 2-3 hours).
Arts and Crafts Cart
Arts and Crafts Cart Volunteers provide positive nurturing play experiences for patients using arts, crafts, conversation and visitation in outpatient offices and specialty clinics.

Shifts are Monday to Friday
9am – 11am

Desk Positions

Information Desk
Information Desk Volunteers provide a welcoming presence by assisting the hospital and staff with customer service duties. Volunteers greet and direct patients / families to check-in, answer questions, provide directions to other departments, and perform other tasks as needed.

Shifts are Sunday to Saturday
8:30am – 12:30pm (Sunday to Saturday)
12:30pm – 4:30pm (Monday to Friday)
4:30pm – 8pm (Monday to Friday)
Surgery
Surgery Volunteers provide a welcoming presence and act as a liaison between surgery staff, doctors and families. Volunteers greet and direct patients / families to check-in, answer questions, provide directions to other departments, and perform other tasks as needed.

Shifts are Monday to Friday
6am – 9am
9am – 1pm
Specialty Clinic
Specialty Clinic Volunteers provide a welcoming presence while assisting patient families and supporting the Specialty Clinic admitting staff. Volunteers greet and direct patients / families to check-in, answer questions, provide directions to other departments, and perform other tasks as needed.

Shifts are Monday to Friday
8:30am – 12pm

HEM/ONC Clinic

Hematology/Oncology Volunteers provide positive welcoming and nurturing play experiences for patients with arts and crafts, conversation, games, and visitation in the HEM/ONC Clinic.

Shifts are Monday to Friday
9am – 1pm

Behavioral Health Clinic

Behavioral Health Clinic Volunteers provide positive welcoming and nurturing play experiences for patients with arts and crafts, conversation, games, and visitation in the Behavioral Health Center.

Shifts are Monday to Friday
9am-12pm

Wayfinding

Wayfinding Volunteers provide a welcoming presence by greeting patients and their families arriving onto the hospital campus. Volunteers help patients and families by answering questions and escorting them to various locations on campus.

Shifts are Monday to Friday
8:30am – 12:30pm

Gift Shop

Gift Shop Volunteers engage with patients, families, and staff, offering a selection of toys, balloons, snacks, gifts, and logo items in a welcoming environment designed to lift spirits. Responsibilities include restocking, operating the cash register, and providing additional support to the Gift Shop as needed.

Shifts are Monday to Friday
8:30am – 12pm
12pm – 4pm
4pm – 8pm

Lobby Entertainer

Lobby Entertainer Volunteers create positive and engaging entertainment experiences for patients and families in hospital waiting areas through music performances, other approved talents, conversation, and visits.

Shifts are Monday to Friday
Flexible afternoon times (typically 1-2 hours).

H.A.B.I.T. Escort

H.A.B.I.T. Escort Volunteers walk with ETCH facility dogs and owners to hospital departments with the purpose of compassionately engaging with hospital patients, patient families, and staff members.

Shifts are Monday to Friday
Flexible afternoon times that are dependent upon H.A.B.I.T. Dog Owner (typically 1 hour).

Qualification for Adult and College Volunteers:

Commitment Requirements:

be at least 18 years of age and out of high school; if younger, check out our VolunTeen opportunities below
be interested in helping others and making a difference
attend an in-person interview and/or information session
complete training in assigned service area
commit to working a four hour shift one day a week for at least six months

Form Requirements:

provide two professional reference contacts (will be contacted via email once application is submitted)
complete the online application (adult or college student application)
complete and pass a criminal background check
complete TB screening and provide proof of MMR vaccination
complete an orientation test
provide proof of flu vaccination (November - May)

Other forms such as HIPAA Agreement, Liability Release, and Commitment Agreement will be signed in-person.

Choose Your Opportunity

Adult Volunteers

Adult Volunteers are individuals who are not currently enrolled in college or high school, and are interested in contributing their time and skills to support our program. These volunteers engage in various service areas, making a positive impact on the community.

Rolling admission year-round

Apply Here

College Student Volunteers

College Student Volunteers are individuals currently enrolled in college who are eager to contribute their time and skills to support our program. These volunteers engage in various service areas, gaining valuable experience while making a positive impact on the community.

Admission is December 15-January 15 & July 15-August 15

Apply Here