Volunteering

WVU Hospitals accepts four types of volunteers: adults, college students and high school students.

Adults: (18+ and not a college student) may apply for volunteer service at any time. Graduate students are eligible to apply as an adult.

College students: are accepted three times per year during the fall, spring, and summer. The 2027 enrollment dates are as follows:
Spring 2027 Semester: December 18, 2026 – January 19, 2027
Summer: April 19, 2027 – May 31, 2027
Fall 2027 Semester: August 1, 2027 – August 31, 2027

College students can only apply during an enrollment period and will not be accepted after an enrollment period has ended.

High School Students can apply for our Health Careers Academy January 1 – 31 each year. The Junior Volunteer Program applications are accepted April 1 – 30 each year.

• The first 125 college student applications will be accepted. Please do not apply as an adult volunteer unless you are a grad student.
• If you were a college student volunteer within the past two years and you would like to volunteer again, you are not required to submit a new application. Please contact Volunteer Services at 304-598-4134 to request a volunteer return packet.
• The Health Careers Academy is one week of exposure to various healthcare professions. Participants will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience not offered by traditional volunteering. Twenty-five applications will be accepted, and 20 participants will be chosen for the program.
• The Junior Volunteer Program is a summer volunteer program for 16 – 18-year-olds.  After successful completion of the summer program, Junior Volunteers are welcome to continue volunteering during the school year.

Shifts are available during mornings, afternoons, evenings, and weekends. Schedules vary depending on the department where you volunteer. Volunteers are expected to complete at least one shift per week.

Upon receipt of your application, you will receive an email with a link to the online volunteer orientation. Orientation must be completed prior to attending an onboarding session. Student applicants will attend a virtual group onboarding session. Adult applicants will attend an onboarding in person.

These immunization requirements are put in place to protect volunteers, as well as patients and co-workers.

Junior volunteers under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian during their Employee Health appointment unless they have a signed parental consent form (provided by Volunteer Services). Employee Health will only administer a TB test for the Junior Volunteers and the Health Careers Academy participants. All other immunization requirements must be obtained elsewhere.

WVU Hospitals Employee Health will need proof of the following immunizations:

• Hepatitis B Vaccines and immune titer (Employee Health will draw the titer)
• Tuberculosis Skin tests (PPD) within the last calendar year
  • Tuberculosis (TB) baseline assessment: Documentation of a negative Purified Protein Derivative (PPD) skin test OR
    Quantiferon/interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) blood testing within the past 30 days OR a copy of the most recent chest x-ray in the event of a history of a positive TB test.
  • If you have not received a PPD skin test within the past 12 months, a two-step TB skin test will be administered seven to 10 days after your initial skin test placement.
• Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis)
• TWO MMR Vaccinations OR immune titers (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
• TWO Varivax Vaccinations OR immune titers
• Flu: All volunteers must have an annual flu shot to remain an active volunteer during flu season. Volunteers who refuse vaccination for any reason will be placed on a leave of absence from their volunteer assignment during the flu season. The flu season is usually between December and March; however, the period may be extended depending on the severity of the flu season.

We strongly suggest that you do not get any immunizations before seeing an Employee Health clinician. If you have questions regarding your immunizations, please call Employee Health: 304-598-4160.