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Volunteer Program

There is no greater reward than making a difference in the life of a sick or injured child.

CHOC volunteers generously dedicate their time to help us provide the very best pediatric care in Southern California. Since 1964, the volunteer programs at CHOC Hospital in Orange and CHOC at Mission Hospital, and multiple off-site locations, have provided vital assistance to our patients, families, and staff.

We are currently looking for compassionate, enthusiastic people who are committed to making a difference in not just their own lives, but also the lives around them. We thank you for your interest in volunteering with us!

Below are examples of current volunteer opportunities. For more information on our program, please visit our Requirements tab.

Please note, our volunteer program does not offer short term, summer, job training, internship, practicum, or medical shadowing volunteer opportunities.

Volunteer Opportunities

CHOC assigns volunteer roles based on the current needs of the organization along with the volunteer’s availability, interests and skill sets.

Currently, our highest needs are shifts scheduled Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Evening and weekend volunteer roles are limited.

Our volunteers:

  • Greet visitors as they arrive
  • Escort families around the hospital
  • Assist in office clerical support
  • Help visitors and families in the Family Resource Center
  • Offer coloring and reading activities for patients in our waiting/lobby areas
  • Assess the comfort needs of families on the many units
  • Assist in discharging our patients
  • Assist our child life specialists in playrooms

One-day volunteer opportunities

Our program does not offer any type of one-day volunteer opportunities. Anyone interested in coming to visit our patients for one day to host a special event must receive approval by our Child Life department. Please visit our special visitor guidelines to learn more.

Minor/High School Students

High school students
Our program does not offer in person volunteer opportunities for minors/high school students. You must be at least 18 years old to apply to our volunteer program. However, there are ways for minors/high school students to give back and get involved. Please see links below on some other ways for minors/high school students to get involved:

CHOC Pet Therapy Program

We are not currently accepting new pet therapy dogs at either hospital campus. Please check back periodically for an update.

In order to be considered to join our Pet Therapy Program, you must have a dog already certified under Pet Partners. Dogs not allowed into the Pet Therapy Program at CHOC: Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Presa Canarios, Akitas, Alaskan Malamutes, Chow Chows, Doberman Pinschers, Staffordshire Terroirs, German Shepherds, Wolf-hybrids, Mastiffs, Cane Corsos, Alaskan Klee Kais and Siberian Huskies, including any breed canine that has a genetic relationship to one of the listed breeds. No exceptions.

If you have any questions or would like more information about our Pet Therapy Program, please email us at volunteers@choc.org.

Stories From Our Volunteers

My Journey from CHOC Patient to CHOC Volunteer
Daniel is back at CHOC― this time as a volunteer. I get to entertain kids in the same waiting rooms I used to visit as a patient.

Lifelong Pediatrician Becomes CHOC Volunteer
As a lead patient hospitality volunteer, Dr. Bruno assists families during the discharge process and ensures they get safely from their hospital room to their car.

Volunteer Role Awakens Professional Calling
Brianna started volunteering at CHOC when she was just 16 years old. She thought CHOC would be a worthy place to donate her time.