College students have the opportunity to volunteer at University Hospital, OSU Ross Heart Hospital and University Hospital East. Volunteer positions for college students are given on a quarterly basis. Please note, we have a new observation hours program: Students wanting to obtain observation hours for applications to Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy or Radiology programs should apply through our observation hours process, not the volunteer program.
Opportunities:
Volunteers serve in three main ways: Assisting staff in patient care areas; providing information and service to families; and working in clerical or office capacities.
What Is Required?
- A sincere desire to help others and provide a service to the patients, visitors and staff of The Ohio State University Medical Center.
- A commitment to volunteer a minimum of one three-hour block of time per week (you will not be placed unless you have at least a three-hour block of time available in your schedule.) Most volunteer positions are available Monday - Friday between 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. There are limited evening and weekend opportunities.
- College volunteers should be in the process of attaining a two- or four-year degree.
- You will be required to purchase a volunteer uniform. Uniforms are $16.
- Criminal background check (if you receive an assignment).
- State ID or Driver's License and Social Security Card are required for a criminal background check to be performed (Student Visa is accepted for international students).
When is Registration?
New college volunteer registration happens on one designated day at the beginning of every quarter. For more information about college volunteer registration, please click on the link for the quarter you are interested in:
Fall Quarter PDF
NOTE: We randomize all applications before giving placements so there is no advantage to coming early to the registration, and no penalty for arriving later. We only accept applications during the registration. Unfortunately, we cannot accept applications once the registration is over.
Where Will I Be Placed?
We understand that students wish to volunteer in departments corresponding to their majors. We typically have a large number of returning volunteers each quarter, and they are given first priority for volunteer placements. For this reason, new college volunteers are placed in departments that have the greatest needs during the days and times they are available to volunteer. If you need volunteer or observation hours for your major, please take this information into account. Additionally, while we try our very best to place every student who applies, volunteer assignments are not guaranteed. We typically receive more volunteer applications than we have available volunteer positions. The more flexible your schedule, however, the greater your chances are for being placed.
For more information, call Volunteer Services at (614) 293-8653 or e-mail sydni.howard@osumc.edu.
