High School Program

Each summer high school students volunteer in order to gain experience working in a hospital setting. Students do support work that truly makes a difference in the overall care of patients and their families and do so in a variety of age-appropriate assignments. We offer positions in various departments throughout the hospital. Many placements allow the high school students to interact with patients and families at the hospital. Our summer high school volunteer program is highly competitive and applications are chosen through a lottery system. Placements are decided by the Volunteer Service Office staff based on the number of available openings in the hospital and the number of applications received.

Applicants must have consistent patience interacting with children from birth to age 18 as well as with their siblings and parents. They must also be able to speak and understand English and be willing to learn the skills necessary to be competent in their duties and responsibilities. Lastly, all student volunteers must adhere to the Nemours Standards of Behavior and be committed to the Nemours True North goal of helping patients and families receive exactly the care they need and want, how and when they need and want it. If you are interested in applying for the summer high school volunteer program, the application is open only during the month of February. All applications and recommendation letters are due by February 28th.

Requirements

Must be 16 years or older by June 15 and have completed sophomore year of high school
Must be able to speak and understand English
Must be willing to learn the skills necessary to be competent in their duties and responsibilties
Must commit to being here for 7 of the 8 weeks during the program

Application Process

Step 1: Complete an SHSVP Application & Recommendation Form

Please check back in February 2020

Step 2: Interview/Information Session — Group Format

If you are selected as a potential candidate for the SHSVP, you will be invited to attend an Interview/Information group session. Attendance at this session is mandatory; however, it does not guarantee placement in the program.

Step 3: Medical Clearances and Training

If you are accepted into the SHSVP, you will be required to:

gain medical clearances
complete online training
submit the required forms
pass background checks if you are 18 years or older

Frequently Asked Questions for High School Students

How old do I have to be to apply for and participate in the SHSVP?

High school students must be at least 16 years of age by June 15.

What days and times can summer high school students volunteer?

SHSVP assignments are Monday through Friday during regular business hours. A student will be given a schedule with the same assignment(s) and time each week.

What opportunities are available for summer high school students?

Summer high school students serve in three main ways:

providing information and service to families
working in departmental offices
assisting in patient care areas

I am required to complete service hours as part of my senior project. I would like to complete my service hours by volunteering at the hospital. How can I arrange this?

We are unable to accommodate senior projects through the Volunteer Services Department.

I am a senior in high school and will be graduating in May. I would like to volunteer this summer. Should I fill out the high school application or the college application?

Because you are still in high school when you apply, you should complete and submit the summer high school application. You will not be eligible to participate in the college program until the fall semester of your freshman year of college.

I am interested in a career in medicine. Can I come to the hospital to shadow a nurse or doctor?

Job shadowing, internships, externships, and observing are academic pursuits, and therefore are not coordinated through the Volunteer Services Department. If you need further information, please call the hospital’s general number, (302) 651-4000 and ask to be connected to your department of interest.

I would like to volunteer this summer but I will have to miss the mandatory interview/information session. Will I still be able to volunteer?

No. All teens must attend an interview/information session in order to be eligible to volunteer during the summer. There are no exceptions.

I would like to volunteer this summer but I have travel plans, extracurricular activities, or other commitments that will cause me to miss more than one week during the program. Will I still be able to volunteer?

No. We must require that our volunteers not miss more than one week over the course of the program.

Can I volunteer during the school year?

Only those students who have successfully completed the SHSVP may volunteer during the school year.