Volunteer At Vanderbilt

Our volunteers help our patients heal. Whether they are working in the gift shop, helping a child pick out a toy in the play room, giving a parent directions, or just offering a reassuring smile, volunteers make a difference. Visit the links at left to learn about volunteering opportunities at Children's Hospital and how to join our volunteer team.

Opportunities

Book/Activity Cart
Child Life Playrooms
Diagnostic Imaging
Family Resource Center
Friends Shop
Guest Ambassador
KOHL'S Safety Central
Marketing Outreach and Books from Birth of Middle Tennessee
Pediatric Emergency Room
School Program
Surgery
Toy Activity Volunteer

Doctor's Office Tower: Outpatient Clinics

Activity Cart
Diabetes Clinic
Jo's Reach Out and Read
Hematology/Oncology Infusion Room
Orthopaedic Clinic Waiting Room

Book/Activity Cart
Provide books and activities for hospitalized children on the acute care units by taking cart room to room.
Department: Child Life
Volunteers Needed: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10:30 a.m.-noon Saturday-Sunday
Volunteer Shifts: 1 1/2 hour shift weekly
Minimum age: 18 years

Child Life Playrooms
Supervise play in the 0-4 year old playroom, 5-11 year old playroom, 12-18 year old activity room, Myelo Suppression playroom the Sibling playroom.
Department: Child Life
Volunteers Needed: 9:30 a.m.-noon, 1:30-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 9:30 a.m.-noon and 1:30-4 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-noon and 2-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
Volunteer Shifts: Monday-Friday, 2 1/2 hour shift once a week; Saturday and Sunday, 2 hour shift every weekend or 2 hour shift bi-weekly (1st and 3rd weeks or 2nd and 4th weeks)
Minimum age: 18 years

Diagnostic Imaging
Help patients with age-appropriate play during wait times in the lobby or procedure areas.
Department: Diagnostic Imaging/Radiology
Volunteers Needed: 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. Monday-Friday (Busiest times: 8 a.m.-noon Monday-Thursday)
Volunteer Shifts: 2 hour shift once a week
Minimum age: 18 years

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Family Resource Center
Help staff, patients and families gather information to understand medical conditions.
Department: Family Resource Center
Volunteers Needed: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday
Volunteer Shifts: 2-3 hour shift once a week
Minimum age: 18 years

Friends Shop
Help customers, stock shelves and help with special projects in the Friends of Children's Hospital Gift Shop.
Department: Friends Shop
Volunteers Needed: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday
Volunteer Shifts: 2-3 hour shift once a week
Minimum age: 18 years

Guest Ambassador
Help patients, families and visitors find their way through the hospital.
Department: Guest Services
Volunteers Needed: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday
Volunteer Shifts: 2-3 hour shift once a week
Minimum age: 18 years

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KOHL'S Safety Central
Help run the store; welcome families and visitors; manage stock.
Department: VCH's Health Improvement and Prevention
Volunteers Needed: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday-Friday
Volunteer Shifts: 2 hour shift once a week
Minimum age: 16 years

Marketing Outreach and Books from Birth of Middle Tennessee
Help with registration and mailings. Help conduct Outreach and Advocacy programs for Children's Hospital. Volunteers may also help with community and hospital events. Fordetails  or to volunteer, call Cathy Riviere at (615) 936-3737.
Department: Vanderbilt Children's Health Improvement & Prevention
Volunteers needed: flexible; volunteers may also work from home
Volunteer Shifts: flexible
Minimum age: 16 years

Pediatric Emergency Room
Support families and children by offering blankets, passing out toys or playing with children and siblings.
Note: Hepatitis B series recommended
Department: Child Life
Volunteers Needed: 2 p.m.-midnight daily except for Tuesdays
Volunteer Shifts: 2 hour shift once a week
Minimum age: 18 years

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School Program
Help teachers educate school age patients (Kindergarten-12th grade). Volunteers must be college graduates with teaching experience, or college students with an interest in teaching/education and prior tutoring experience or special knowledge in an academic area.
Note: Volunteers must meet with teachers before starting and must be familiar with "Tips for School" program volunteer sheet. Program runs August-May each year.
Department: Child Life
Volunteers Needed: Monday-Friday mornings & afternoons
Volunteer Shifts: 2-3 hour shift once a week
Minimum age: 18 years

Surgery
Maintain clean patient toys, material and activity resources.
Department: Child Life
Volunteers Needed: 7 a.m.-noon Monday-Friday
Volunteer Shifts: 2-3 hour shift once a week
Minimum age: 18 years

Toy Activity Volunteer
Maintain clean patient toys, material and activity resources.
Department: Child Life
Volunteers Needed: 10 a.m.-noon, 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.- noon and 2-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
Volunteer Shifts: 2 hours
Minimum age: 18 years

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Doctors' Office Tower: Outpatient Clinics

Activity Cart
Help patients of all ages find activities in the Doctor's Office Tower waiting rooms.
Department: Child Life
Volunteers Needed: 9 a.m.- noon and 1-4 p.m Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m.-noon Friday
Volunteer Shifts: 2 hour shift once a week
Minimum age: 16 years

Diabetes Clinic
Help patients find activities in the Diabetes Clinic and waiting room area.
Department: Child Life
Volunteers Needed: 10 a.m.-noon Monday-Thursday; 1-3 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday
Volunteer Shifts: 2 hour shift once a week
Minimum age: 18 years

Jo's Reach Out and Read
Read books to children in groups or one-on-one.
Department: Pediatrics
Volunteers Needed: 9 a.m.-noon and 2-4 p.m. Monday-Friday
Volunteer Shifts: 2 hour shift weekly
Minimum age: 18 years

Hematology/Oncology Infusion Room
Help patients and siblings find play activities in the Cancer Clinic.
Department: Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Infusion Room
Volunteers Needed: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m.-noon Friday
Volunteer Shifts: 2-3 hour shift once a week
Minimum age: 18 years

Orthopaedic Clinic Waiting Room
Help patients and siblings find play activities in the Orthopaedic Clinic waiting room.
Department: Child Life
Volunteers Needed: 9 a.m.-noon or 1-4 p.m. Monday and Thursday; 1-4 p.m. Tuesday; 9 a.m.-noon  Wednesday
Volunteer Shifts: 2-3 hour shift once a week
Minimum age: 18 years

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