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
Students must have the desire to help others and be a part of the UI Health Care team. Volunteer information sessions take place at the beginning of each semester (fall, spring, and summer), and we require a two-semester commitment to weekly three-hour volunteer shifts for a total of 72 hours. Semesters do not have to be consecutive–students 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.
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.
All prospective volunteers must complete a preregistration form specific to each semester. Preregistration for Spring 2023 will be posted at 12 p.m. on Monday, November 7.
Once your preregistration 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.
Reviewing the Volunteer Handbook and pass your Competency and Confidentiality Assessment Quiz
Confirm your spot at the upcoming volunteer referral session by submitting the following documents online or in-person to the Volunteer Services Office:
Confidential Volunteer Reference
Criminal Background Check Initialization Form
Note: We will not accept these documents until you have received an email inviting you to submit them. This is a rolling invitation process, and there are limited openings for our College Student Volunteer program. Invitations to move forward with the onboarding process are issued on a ‘first-approved, first-invited’ basis.
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.
Attend the mandatory in-person volunteer referral session to select a volunteer placement.
Meet with your Student Leader Board member, attend the mandatory unit training, and begin volunteering! Once you have been placed in a unit, your minimum commitment of three hours of volunteering per week for a total of 72 hours over a period of two semesters will begin.
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.
