COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Update

As the level of COVID-19 infections begins to stabilize in our community, we are starting to reschedule appointments, surgeries, and procedures that were delayed during the pandemic. Learn more about how Duke Health is committed to keeping you safe. Visitor restrictions remain in effect. 

Home Volunteer Services

College Student Program

Duke University Hospital

College Student Volunteer

As the situation with COVID-19 (coronavirus) continues to rapidly evolve, Duke University Health System is working diligently to monitor developments and implement guidelines to prevent the spread of infection. Our top priority is to keep patients, visitors, team members, and the community at large safe. At this time, all hospital volunteer programs are suspended until further notice. We will keep you updated about the status of our volunteer program, and we look forward to welcoming you back to our hospitals in this important capacity as soon as possible.

Duke University Hospital is pleased to offer a volunteer program for college students.  Although the program is designed to meet core competencies for students considering a career in health professions, volunteering is open to all majors.
Volunteer programs at Duke University Hospital do not provide clinical or shadowing experience.  They do, however, provide opportunities for patient and family engagement with a hospital or clinic setting.

Program Requirements For New and Returning Volunteers

  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • The expected volunteer commitment is a minimum of 2 academic semesters.
  • Weekly volunteer attendance of a minimum of 2 to 4 hours per week is required based on the department’s scheduling needs.  These will be noted in the position descriptions.
  • Once assigned, these programs will be counting on your assistance. Your academic advisor may request attendance information at any time.
  • Excessive absences may be cause for dismissal from the volunteer program.

Summer College Student Program

  • The Application Process for summer volunteers begins in mid-March and closes in May.
  • Volunteer opportunities and interview sign-ups for the 2020 summer college student program are suspended until further notice due to the rapidly evolving COVID-19 (coronavirus) situation. If you are interested in volunteering this summer, please complete our online application. Once we have more information available about our summer volunteer needs, we will contact you via email.
  • The summer college student program runs from mid-May to late August.
  • Summer Commitment – You must be able to commit a minimum of 50-100 hours (depending on the requirements of the program) for at least 10 weeks between May and August.
  • Successful candidates must be 18 or older and have completed freshman year of college in good standing.

Fall College Student Program

  • The Application Process for fall volunteers begins mid-July and closes mid-August. The fall college student program runs from September 14, 2019, to December 6, 2019.
  • We are not currently accepting applications for the fall college student program.

Spring College Student Program

  • The Application Process for spring volunteers begins in mid-October and closes in mid-November.
  • We are not currently accepting applications for the spring college student program.
  • The spring college student program runs from January to mid-May.