Over 90 departments utilize volunteer services. The list below represents the departments that make use of the largest number of volunteers. It is not necessarily an indication of volunteer position availability.
Learn more about the volunteering application process.
Direct Patient Contact
Child Life Department: Inpatient Playroom
Minimum Age: 18
Volunteers interact with patients, siblings, and families in the playroom and at the bedside, to provide opportunities for developmentally appropriate play and socialization, to minimize the impact of hospitalization. Mature, enthusiastic, caring, and reliable volunteers need to demonstrate initiative, independence, and problem solving skills. Volunteers must be able to interact and engage with children of all ages and help maintain toys and play supplies for all areas.
Shifts
Monday–Thursday
9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
Friday–Sunday
9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
Child Life Department: Sibling and Outpatient Playroom
Minimum Age: 18
Volunteers assist in supporting the Ambulatory Care Clinics. Mature, enthusiastic, caring, and reliable volunteers are needed to provide fun, purposeful activities for siblings and patients during clinic appointment(s). Volunteers help maintain toys and play supplies in the playroom; checking for safety, and cleaning on a regular basis.
Shifts
Weekdays only
9 a.m.–12 p.m, 1 p.m.–4 p.m.
Emergency Department (ED)
Minimum Age: 18
Volunteers support patients and families in the ED by providing comfort measures, interacting with patients and families in the exam rooms and waiting areas, transporting and escorting patients and families throughout the hospital and to diagnostic procedures. They also support ED hospital staff by running errands, stocking rooms, cleaning and replenishing toys and various clerical tasks to support departmental project work. Volunteers are essential to the ED and are much appreciated.
Volunteers may have opportunities to observe some medical procedures when appropriate.
Shifts
Seven days per week between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy
Minimum Age: 18
Volunteers help transport patients to and from therapy appointments and keep patients company between therapy sessions. Volunteers also assist therapists and other staff as needed and help to maintain clean and organized therapy areas within the department. Other tasks include filing, delivering mail, and cleaning toys.
Volunteers who are pursuing a career in either physical or occupational therapy may apply for the Student Volunteer Bonus Program after meeting the required amount of service hours (approximately 10 consecutive shifts) in the department. Volunteers in the Student Volunteer Bonus Program shadow a therapist for one session (one to three hours) per week, outside of their already agreed volunteer shift, for a total of six sessions. The OT/PT department processes Student Volunteer Bonus Program requests based on hospital census and therapist availability. Thus, there are times where we may not be able to accommodate all requests.
If you are interested in applying to the OT/PT department, please contact Jennifer Ellis, rehab aide.
Shifts
Weekdays only
8:45 a.m.–12 p.m., 10 a.m.–1:15 p.m., 12:45 p.m.–4 p.m.
Surgery Center
Minimum Age: 18
Assist the Surgery Center coordinator with labeling of patient packets and hand-writing patient labels for charts. May be asked to direct families and/or escort them to various areas. Lots of interaction with patients and families awaiting surgery.
Shifts
Weekdays only between 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Therapy Pool
Inpatient Psychiatric Unit Swim Sessions
Volunteers interact with patients in the Therapy Pool during recreational swimming sessions. Mature, enthusiastic and reliable volunteers are needed to provide fun, safe water activities for school-age and adolescent patients.
Shifts
Monday and Wednesday
2–3 p.m.
Minimum Age: 21
Tuesday and Thursday
12:45–1:45 p.m.
Minimum Age: 21
Friday (all-age group)
9:45–10:45 a.m.
Minimum Age: 21
Saturday (all-age group)
3:15–4:15 p.m.
Minimum Age: 21
Patient and Family Recreational Swim
Minimum Age: 18
Volunteers will join children and families in the pool during recreational swim times. Energetic volunteers will provide fun and safe water activities that may include leading games for groups, or working with individual children to help them get used to the pool. Volunteers will also help with cleaning and maintenance of pool equipment.
Shifts
Monday–Friday
4–5 p.m.
Saturday
2–3 p.m.
Swim Lessons
Minimum Age: 18
Reliable volunteers are needed to assist swimming instructors providing lessons for children from the community. Volunteers will work with children ages 3 to 6 as they develop swimming and water safety skills.
Shifts
Monday and Wednesday
5:15–6:45 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday
6:15–7:45 p.m.
Limited or Non-Patient Contact
Central Services: Inventory and distribution
Minimum Age: 16
Deliver supplies and equipment vital to patient care, restock incoming product, perform inventory counts, assemble materials like personal belonging bags, baby tourniquets, and stethoscopes. All of these tasks are imperative to day-to-day operations at the hospital.
Shifts
Shifts are available seven days a week around the clock.
Clerical and office support
Minimum Age: 16
Assist the staff with clerical and office duties in clinical and administrative departments. Opportunities are open to volunteers who would like to gain office experience and learn new skills in a hospital environment. Duties may include filing and collating, answering phones, using office machines and word processing.
Shifts
Shifts vary by department: weekdays, some evenings, limited weekends and not available on Sundays.
Family Resource Center
Minimum Age: 18
The Family Resource Center provides families with health and local area information, basic needs, and stress-relieving services during their stay. The FRC also manages patient and family education and communications for the hospital. We are looking for enthusiastic, caring volunteers to greet families, answer questions, assist with family support programs, and help staff with various projects.
Shifts
Shifts are available seven days a week between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Patient and Family Relations
Minimum Age: 16
Volunteers assist entrance coordinators in welcoming families and visitors, by providing directions, securing wheelchairs, and guiding families to where they need to go. Volunteers also help stock supplies for the entrances and make deliveries to patient rooms.
Shifts
Weekday and weekend shifts available.
Messengers
Minimum Age: 16
A great way to learn your way around the hospital; delivering flowers, gifts and meal trays to patient areas, collecting and distributing wheelchairs and dozens of other in-hospital errands. Messengers also assist with various projects in the volunteer office such as bulk mailings and other fun stuff!
Shifts
Weekdays, evenings and Saturday shifts. No Sunday shifts.
Gift Shop or Bargain Boutiques
Minimum Age: 16
A perfect job for persons with retail or cash handling background, those interested in a business/retail career or those who love to shop! We interact with patients and families in the hospital’s unique and fun gift shop on a daily basis and count on our volunteers for support in our effort to raise funds for uncompensated care. Volunteer opportunities are available at Children's Gift Shop or at one of our Bargain Boutiques.
Shifts
Shifts vary.
Other Opportunities
Seattle Children’s may also have volunteer opportunities in the following areas where age requirements and shift availability will vary. For more information, call Volunteer Services at 206-987-2155.
Clinical:
- Dental Clinic
- Dietary
- Nutrition
- Orthotics and Prosthetics
- Speech and Language Services
Non-clinical: