With the great number of volunteer opportunities we have here at Duke, you are sure to find a program that best suits you. Please explore the programs that we have in order to identify the program that most identifies with your interests and meets your standards based on age group, job function, and/or hours of availability.

Click on any of the programs listed below to find out more about individual opportunities.

Also below, we have answered some of the general questions that pertain to all of our volunteer options.

You may also want to explore volunteer opportunities through Durham Regional Hospital and/or Duke Raleigh Hospital.

• Durham Regional Hospital volunteer information can be obtained by calling 919-470-4150
• Duke Raleigh Hospital volunteer information can be accessed at dukehealthraleigh.org/volunteers.

List of Programs

• Active TEENS
• Best Buddy Program
• Cancer Patient Education Program
• Cancer Patient Support Program
• Child and Adolescent Life Program
• Children's Health Center Patient Support
• Duke Ambassadors
• Duke Employees Making a Difference
• Duke Health and Fitness Center
• Duke Heart Center Community Outreach
• Duke Heart Center Patient Support Program
• Duke International Patient Services
• Duke Patient Advocate Leaders (PALS)
• Duke Professionals
• Duke State Medical Assistance Team
• Emergency Department
• Eye Center
• Eye Center Touchable Art Gallery
• Eye Center Pediatric Art Cart
• Gift Shops
• Guest Services
• Health Careers Exploration Program
• Helping Hands
• Hospice Volunteer Services
• Hospital Auxiliary
• Host Homes
• Intensive Care Waiting Rooms
• Junior Volunteers
• Kidz Need Hugz Program
• Oncology Recreation Therapy
• Pastoral Care Volunteer Program
• Patient E-Cards Program
• Patient Representative Volunteer Program
• Pediatric Patient Representative Volunteer
• Rainbow Volunteers
• REMEDY at Duke
• Ronald McDonald Family Room
• Shop Cart Program
• S.M.A.R.T. (Student Mentoring and Academic Reinforcement Tutoring) Program
• Teer House
• Welcome Baby Program

Frequently Asked Questions

There are more than 30 programs at Duke to choose from. Once you have identified a program you are interested in, contact the coordinator directly and he or she will be glad to assist you through the application process.

You can find the coordinator's direct information by clicking on the program link you are most interested in and looking at the information under "Contact Info."

If you are uncertain of the program you are most interested in, the Volunteer Services Office would be more than happy to help you find a good fit for you in accordance with your interests and skills.

Please contact the Volunteer Services Office at 919-681-5031 for assistance.

Can I volunteer if I'm not 18?

Regular volunteers at Duke must be 18 years of age and older. If you are between the ages of 15 and 18, however, the hospital has a Junior Volunteer program that operates during the summer months.

Teens ages 15-18 who are interested in the program should apply with the Duke University Hospital Volunteer Services Office beginning on January 31 of each year. Applications will be available starting January 31.

This program is highly selective, so only the first 250 applications will be accepted to interview. Not all applicants will be accepted into the program.

The application must be completed and turned in no later than March 31.

What about safety on the job?

All volunteers receive fire and safety training, which includes information on bloodborne pathogens, universal precautions, infection control, chemical and radiation safety, and, of course, fire safety.

Volunteers also receive compliance training which includes "Integrity in Action" and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) training. Although as a volunteer you'll provide only non-clinical support services, it's important that you understand and are knowledgeable about safety issues.

What about training?

Before you ever begin your assignment, you'll receive training geared specifically to the job you'll be doing. You'll participate in either a group training session or work one-on-one with the program coordinator or other staff. You'll discuss the tasks you'll be doing, learn about the patients on the unit, meet many of the clinical staff, learn how to factor age-specific considerations into your job, perhaps sharpen your listening skills, and learn about any other activities that may apply to your particular job.

What do I do about parking?

Volunteers receive free parking privileges when they're here for their work assignment. Validation machines are available for each program so that volunteers can validate their parking tickets. Validated parking passes, along with volunteer identification must be presented to parking attendant. Parking passes are also available.

Are there short-term opportunities?

No, because of training cost, each program asks for a one-year commitment.

What are the standard requirements to volunteer at Duke?

You need to:

• Fill out an application with references
• Be at least 18 years of age (except Junior Volunteers)
• Have had chicken pox or chicken pox vaccine
• Undergo screening for TB, which is provided free by Duke
• Show documentation of immunizations
• Undergo fire and safety training (provided)
• Provide a Court Record Release for a background check
• Obtain HIPAA training
• Commit to one year of volunteer service for a minimum of four hours per week

What benefits do Duke volunteers enjoy?

• The satisfaction of knowing you helped someone
• New friends
• Job skill development
• Appreciation gifts and events
• Reference letters
• Free parking
• Cafeteria discount
• Free TB screening
• Award pins