Duke University Hospital
Getting Started – Mandatory Orientation
- All new volunteers must attend the MANDATORY hospital orientation on Sunday, August 23, 2026 from 1:00 to 3:30 pm if they are accepted into a volunteer program.
- If you cannot attend this mandatory orientation, you cannot volunteer in the fall. Please do not continue with the application process.
- Alternative orientation dates will not be provided.
- Department training may also be scheduled for immediately following volunteer orientation depending on your placement.
Who can apply?
- Rising sophomores, juniors and seniors may apply to volunteer for the fall 2026.At this time, we are not accepting incoming freshman for fall 2026 semester. Incoming freshman may apply to volunteer for the spring 2027 semester.
Volunteer Commitment
- The fall 2026 semester will begin on Sunday, August 23, 2026 and run for 15 weeks ending December 6, 2026.
- Volunteers are required to volunteer 24-30 hours during the fall 2026 semester and volunteer for at least 2 academic semesters.
- Volunteers will not be required to volunteer on holidays/breaks(Labor Day, fall break, Thanksgiving break) but may volunteer if they are staying on campus.
If you meet the orientation and commitment requirements above, please follow the steps below.
Step 1 of 7: Review Volunteer Opportunities
- Click here for our fall 2026 volunteer opportunities for college students.
Step 2 of 7: Complete Volunteer Application
- Complete a Volunteer Application between 9:00 am on Friday, April 10, 2026 through midnight on Sunday, April 26, 2026.
- Applications received after the midnight deadline on Sunday, April 26, 2026, will not be accepted
- Volunteer opportunities will be limited and not all students will have the opportunity to volunteer for the fall 2026.
Step 3 of 7: Availability & Assignment Preference
- After you submit your application, you will receive a survey to complete to indicate your availability and assignment preference for the fall.
- Complete this survey by midnight on Friday, May 1, 2026.
- If your responses are not received by midnight on May 1, you will not be eligible to volunteer during the fall 2026.
Step 4 of 7: Health Clearance
- Complete the following Health Clearance steps no later than May 8, 2026.
- Obtaining your health clearance does not guarantee that you will be accepted into the volunteer program. The number of openings, your interview, your availability, and your choice of volunteer assignment will impact our decision.