High School Student Program
High School Volunteer Program Update | Aug. 22, 2023
Summer Volunteer Recruitment Closed
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us.
Please check back here on our website in mid-April for information about our 2024 Summer High School program recruitment dates.
IMPORTANT: Please review the Summer High School Volunteer Program policies and requirements outlined below prior to signing up for a general information appointment..
Summer High School Volunteer Program Requirements:
- The University of Rochester requires two varicella (chicken pox vaccines) in order to volunteer at Strong Memorial Hospital. NYS schools only require one vaccination. Please be advised that if you have only received one vaccine, you will be required to receive a second vaccine from your Primary Care Physician prior to volunteering in our program.
- Please bring an official copy of your Immunization Record and current physical assessment (no more than one year old) to your general information appointment. You may obtain these forms from your school nurse or doctor.
- You are responsible for providing a copy of your work permit if you are under the age of 18. Please bring a COPY of the most recent work permit.
- Surgical face masks are required to be worn by all volunteers while in patient contact and on patient units.
- You are at least 14 years of age or older by July 1. Students will be accepted through their senior year.
- You can communicate clearly and fluently in English.
- You can perform described activities for the assignment.
- You feel comfortable working independently and with a minimum amount of supervision.
- You can commit to volunteering three to four hours per week for 8 weeks.
- You must attend a general information/position selection appointment in May AND a separate 30-minute health review appointment in June which is conducted with a nurse from Strong’s Employee Health office.
- Please allow 1 hour and 15 minutes for your general information appointment. Please park in the ramp garage and go to the information desk in the first floor main lobby and ask them for directions to the Friends of Strong office.
- Please use only one single consistent email for all paperwork and communications with the Volunteer Program coordinators.
- Individual departments may have additional orientation requirements.
Frequently asked questions for High School volunteers
- How do I get started?
- Make an appointment for a group information session. Date will be posted early March.
- My counselor said I need 100 community service credits. How much time can I volunteer per week?
- High school students in the summer program are allowed to volunteer for three to four hours per week for 8 weeks.
- Can I volunteer any time I want?
- Volunteer shifts may vary depending on the type of position we match you with. We make every effort to accommodate homework and outside activities but not all placements are available at all times.
- What kinds of activities will I be doing?
- We offer a variety of activities in hospital departments and units. Some of those are Pediatrics, Patient Discharge, and the Gift Shop. All of our positions involve contact with patients on some level.
- I have heard about hospital volunteers cuddling babies and would really like to do that. .
- Placements known as NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) Volunteers in the hospital’s NICU are not available for summer high school volunteers.
- How do I get a work permit?
- Work permits are available through your high school.
- Why do I need a health appointment?
- Your safety and the safety of our patients and staff is our first priority. We must make sure vaccinations and other health related requirements are up-to-date.
- My older brother got to work in a lab. It was very cool. I might like to do that.
- We no longer offer lab or clerical assignments.
- Federal Exclusions are a severe form of restriction that prohibits an excluded person or entity from participating in federal healthcare programs or receive federally funded reimbursement. State Sanctions are medical sanctions that resulted in disciplinary action by a state administration. These sanctions occur when an individual or entity violated an administrative rule, civil law or has committed a criminal offense. Exclusion from participation in federal or state healthcare programs is a severe form of sanction. Exclusion prohibits an identified or entity from participating in federal healthcare programs or receiving federally funded reimbursement. Federally Excluded and State Sanctioned individuals are not allowed to volunteer at URMC.