College student volunteers help serve patients, visitors, and staff in a variety of world-class care units and clinics at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics and UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital. We take pride in having placements that meet the varied interests of our diverse student populations, with varying degrees of patient contact.
Many of our student volunteers have found the makings of a health care career based on their experiences as a volunteer. Others have found volunteering to be a natural complement to their career calling, regardless of the field. Volunteer Services-sponsored businesses generate funds that have been invested into scholarship opportunities for outstanding college student volunteers. Students from all colleges and universities are encouraged to apply.
Requirements for College Student Volunteers
Prospective volunteers must be at least 18 years old to begin the preregistration process and have the desire to help others as part of the UI Health Care team. You do not have to be actively enrolled as a college student to be a part of our program. The student program is a great match for those interested in pursuing a career in the health sciences. Volunteer onboarding takes place at the beginning of each semester (fall, spring, and summer), and we require a two-semester commitment to weekly three-hour shifts for a total of 72 hours of on-site service. Semester do not have to be consecutive and student may choose to volunteer for two summer semesters to fulfill this requirement.
In addition, all prospective volunteers who wish to serve in patient-facing roles must receive both the COVID-19 and seasonal flu vaccinations. Volunteers who elect not to receive one or both of these vaccines are still welcome to serve with UI Health Care and will be matched to roles that are non-patient facing.
Preregistration for our Spring 2023 session is now closed. Preregistration for our Summer 2023 session will open on Monday, April 10 by 5 p.m.
Becoming a College Student Volunteer
The first step in becoming a College Student Volunteer is to complete our preregistration form. Once your form has been approved by our office, we will share specifics on the next steps of the onboarding process which include the following:
Watch our program videos and submit the required survey to verify your participation.
Review the Volunteer Handbook and pass your Competency and Confidentiality Assessment Quiz
Submit a Confidential Volunteer Reference form
Submit the required paperwork in-person to the Volunteer Services Office
Complete a health screening through University Employee Health Clinic (UEHC), similar to the process our staff members go through for patient contact. The health screening is provided at no cost to you and includes proof of immunizations and a two-step tuberculin (TB) skin test. The entire process requires multiple trips to the hospital and may take several weeks to complete. For additional information on the TB screening requirements, visit the UEHC website.
Verify your COVID-19 vaccination or exemption status through UI Employee Self-Service to comply with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid requirements, which is over and above what you may submit through UEHC and ReadySet
Attend the mandatory in-person referral session to select a volunteer placement
After all required documentation is submitted and processed, obtain your volunteer photo ID badge, attend an on-site placement interview with your Student Leader Board member and unit-specific training, and begin volunteering! Your minimum two-semester commitment to weekly three-hour shifts for a total of 72 hours of on-site service begins once you have been placed.
If you decide you are able to make a minimum commitment of three hours of volunteer per week for a total of 72 hours over two non-consecutive semesters after you have completed the necessary onboarding steps, we invite you to complete a preregistration form using the link below.
College Student Volunteer Placement Options
Volunteer Services has many great placements for volunteers interested in pursing a career in the medical or health sciences field. Not all our student placements may be available, and while no service area can be guaranteed in advance, our goal is to make the best possible service matches based on the needs of our and the interests of each one of our volunteers. Visit our College Student Volunteer Placement Options for a list of placements and descriptions
Reorientations
Reorientations are held on the same day as the new college student volunteer orientations at the start of Fall and Spring semesters. Active volunteers will receive an email from Volunteer Services with information on how to register for the upcoming reorientation session. If you are planning to switch unit placements, you must have completed 24 volunteer hours in one unit, and register to attend reorientation. If you have any questions about the reorientation process, please contact volunteerservices@uiowa.edu.
Additionally, all active volunteers are required to annually update their Competency and Confidentiality Assessment Quiz. You will receive an email reminder 30 days before this compliance is due.
Mentor Program
Have you found success in your volunteer role at UI Hospitals & Clinics? Are you interested in taking your service to the next level and help to improve the patient and family experience? If you would like to play a role in ensuring new volunteers have a successful volunteer experience, we invite you to apply for a mentor position in our hospital.
College Student Leader Board
The College Student Leader Board consists of approximately 20 members who act as a liaison between Volunteer Services, volunteers, and the Staff Volunteer Supervisors in their assigned areas. Student volunteers have the opportunity to apply at the start of each Spring semester. Find out more about our College Student Leader Board here and watch testimonials from our volunteer leadership below.
