College Student Volunteer Opportunities at Inova Fairfax Medical Campus

Thank you for your interest in volunteering! Inova Fairfax Medical Campus offers many volunteer opportunities including patient support, staff support and retail assignments.

Please note: Volunteer Services is not affiliated with any intern/shadowing programs at Inova. For more information on those opportunities, visit the Clinical Education & Research website.

If you are a college student enrolled in classes that would potentially affect your volunteer schedule at the start of a semester, we have two different college student programs:

• Summer Only
• Year-Round

Volunteer opportunities for college students

1. Cardiovascular pre-operative support: Provide pre-operative support to those awaiting heart surgery and help relieve anxiety of waiting families
2. Clinical support: Add a dimension of care, comfort and support for patients on specific units at the direction of staff
3. Gift Shops: Assist visitors with selections and purchases in three onsite stores; help shop staff with other retail functions
4. Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP): Work with older patients offering assistance and activities that keep them mentally and physically active; activities include talking, helping with meals and walking/mobility assistance
5. Medical Library: Shelve or copy materials, assist staff with computer tasks
6. Patient Support Services: Discharge patients via wheelchair; transport patients via wheelchair to procedures; deliver flowers, patient mail and laboratory items
7. Pediatrics:  Assist Child Life staff by providing non-medical support to pediatric patients and their families, including bedside recreational activities and comfort
8. Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) and Gastroenterology Department: Help monitor outpatients recovering from surgery and procedures, provide for their needs and assist them on discharge
9. Surgical waiting desk: Provide updates and other information to families and friends of patients undergoing outpatient surgery
10. Treasure Trove shops:  Assist customers with selections, receive and process donations and consignments, handle sales, create displays, perform other typical retail tasks

Requirements to become a volunteer

Our volunteer program is designed to support various service areas with the highest level of safety and satisfaction. To do this, attendance is a top priority to participate. In addition, volunteers must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Note: Students who have just graduated high school must wait until August following high school graduation to apply to the college volunteer program.
• Complete and pass a background check (valid social security number required)
• Commit to one, 3-4 hour shift per week
• Complete two rounds of tuberculosis screening OR one tuberculosis blood test
• Provide confirmation of receiving the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella), Varicella (Chickenpox), Tdap for Pertussis (Whooping Cough) vaccines OR proof of immunity via titer
• Receive a flu vaccine (Dec – May)
• Attend a new volunteer training class

Summer-Only College Student Volunteer Program

Due to the interest in our summer program, selection is by lottery. As a benefit of Inova employment, children of Inova employees are exempt from the lottery.

To register:

1. Review the details below and decide if the summer session will work with your schedule.
2. Register by clicking here between 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 2 and 11:45 p.m. on Thursday, April 4.

IMPORTANT DATES: Summer-Only College Student Volunteer Program

• Lottery Registration: Opens Tuesday, April 2 at 10 a.m. and closes Thursday, April 4 at 11:45 p.m
• Lottery Selection: Friday, April 5
  Notification will be made via email on April 5 by 8 p.m.

Mandatory Information Meeting and Training Class:Tuesday, May 21, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. (noon); attendance is required.

Session Dates: May 28 – August 11, 2019

Commitment: Commit to serving one, 3-4 hour shift per week

Year-Round College Student Volunteer Program

If you are available to commit to one, 3-4 hour shift per week for the duration of the fall and/or spring semester, and are able to meet the requirements listed above, we welcome your application.

Click here to apply 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Will I get to shadow a doctor or other clinical personnel?
While many of our volunteer assignments provide clinical and patient interaction, you will not be shadowing doctors or other clinical personnel while volunteering. For more information on those opportunities, visit the Clinical Education & Research website.

I’m available during the summer only. How can I participate in your program?
Due to interest in our program, students available during the summer months only are selected via lottery. See "Summer Only College Student Volunteer Program" above for details on how to register for the lottery.

What happens during training class?
Service area assignments and shift availability will be discussed. You’ll also learn the important safety requirements for being in a hospital setting, receive your I.D. badge and purchase your uniform.

How long is a volunteer shift?
A shift is 3 – 4 hours depending on the service area assignment.

How long does it take to complete the requirements?
Approximately 4 to 6 weeks.

When will I start as a volunteer?
Within one week of attending the training class.

I'm available during winter break only. How can I participate in your program?
Unfortunately, we're unable to accommodate students interested in volunteering during winter break only.

Can I complete clinical hours for school?
Most of our volunteer assignments support clinical areas, but they are not performing clinical activities, so check with your school to see if our program satisfies their requirement