Caring Teen Volunteer Program
Thank you for your interest in the 2024 Fall Houston Methodist Hospital Caring Teen Volunteer Program, located in the Texas Medical Center! The information below is only for the Fall Caring Teen Volunteer Program at Houston Methodist Hospital located in the Texas Medical Center.
COVID-19 Update
Effective December 1, 2023, Houston Methodist Volunteer Services will no longer require volunteers to be vaccinated for COVID-19 as a requirement to volunteer at Houston Methodist. Houston Methodist Volunteer Services has always put the safety of patients, employees, and volunteers first. We will continue to encourage volunteers to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, but it will no longer be mandated at Houston Methodist.
Program Description:
The Houston Methodist Hospital Caring Teen Volunteer Program provides community youth with opportunities for personal growth and development. Volunteers provide supplemental services in the hospital while gaining personal satisfaction, development, maturity, and the understanding of various health care careers in preparation for their futures. Caring Teens serve others while making new friends, networking with medical professionals at a world-class hospital, developing self-esteem, and creating meaningful memories. Our patients’ lives are deepened through the energy and compassion of our Caring Teen volunteers.
If you have pre-planned commitments outside of the Caring Teen Program and you are unsure if you can commit to the requirements of completing the Caring Teen Program, please contact us at caringteenprogram@houstonmethodist.org before applying to determine if this program is going to be the right fit for you. Each teen must meet both requirements for duration and number of hours if they wish to receive full program completion.
Please click here for the 2024 Fall Houston Methodist Hospital Caring Teen Volunteer Program application. The application will open June 17, 2024 and close July 14, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.
This application is only for the Fall Caring Teen Volunteer Program at Houston Methodist Hospital located in the Texas Medical Center.
See below for more details regarding the program, expectations, and application process.
Time Commitment
2024 Fall Session: September 23 – November 22 (9 weeks)
Caring Teen volunteers will be scheduled to complete one 4-hour shift per week throughout the program, totaling 36 hours total. Caring Teen volunteers are required to complete a minimum of 28 hours throughout the duration of the program, allowing volunteers to miss 2 shifts without penalty. Each teen must meet both requirements for duration and number of hours if they wish to receive full program completion. Any commitment not met may be cause for the teen to not be accepted into the program, removed from the program, or to not be invited to return in the future.
Application Process
The 2024 Fall Caring Teen Volunteer application will open June 17, 2024. Applicants must submit all application components by the deadline of July 14 at 11:59 p.m. to be considered for the 2024 Fall Caring Teen Volunteer Program.
For the application, you will need to submit: volunteer profile (make an account), preliminary notices, written component (short answer questions), volunteer availability, background history form, volunteer forms (8 forms total), Employee Health Parental Consent form, your transcript, and your photo ID.
Onboarding Information
Health Screen: The health screen appointments for the TB skin test and drug test are only available during business hours at the Houston Methodist Hospital Employee Health Clinic: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.* Please note you need to return to the Houston Methodist Hospital Employee Health Clinic 2-3 days later for a TB skin test reading. Please see the section below for more details.
*Additional appointment times may be available at time of scheduling.
Orientation: All volunteers must attend a Caring Teen virtual orientation. Your volunteer orientation date will be scheduled during your pre-screen phone call. Volunteer orientation must be completed within 30 days of your health screen appointment.
Background Check: Houston Methodist Hospital policy requires a background check on all volunteers. You will be emailed a link to submit your information through Pre-Check with your preliminary acceptance letter.
Start Email: Once all items have been completed, Caring Teen volunteers will receive an official start email with their assignment and schedule.
Assignment Opportunities:
Volunteer assignments for Caring Teens are generally available within clinical department support areas, administrative services, and customer support. Limited assignments are available on the weekends. While we appreciate your interest in specific areas of volunteering, capacity is limited due to the needs of the hospital and the number of Caring Teens in the program. We will make every attempt to place Caring Teens in at least one of their areas of interest, but we cannot always accomplish this. Observing and shadowing opportunities are not offered or permitted through the Houston Methodist Hospital Volunteer Services Department.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Health Screen Questions
You must bring your photo ID (school photo ID is accepted) and the completed Parental Consent Form with you to your health screen appointment. This form is emailed to you with your preliminary acceptance letter.
Will I need to miss school for the onboarding requirements? Will I be able to receive a school excuse letter?
You may need to miss school. Yes, it is the student’s responsibility to request a letter at the time of the appointment from the Houston Methodist Hospital Employee Health Clinic.
How will I know if I need a TB blood test?
A TB blood test will be required for those with history of positive TB and/or if you were born in a country that required a BCG vaccine. You will be able to receive this at your health screen.
Schedule and Assignment Logistics
What shifts are available?
Volunteer assignments are offered Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. The typical shift times are: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. or 4 p.m. – 8 p.m., with some room for flexibility. Limited assignments are available on the weekends.
Can I change my assignment?
Volunteers are encouraged to keep their original assignment due to the needs of the hospital and the number of Caring Teens in the program. Requests for reassignments will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
What if I have a last-minute absence for my volunteer shift?
It is your responsibility to notify us if you are going to be late or cannot make your scheduled shift. If you need to miss a shift, you will be able to submit an Absence Request Form on your volunteer profile. You are not required to report to your volunteer assignment on days Houston Methodist Hospital employees are not required to work (i.e. holidays).
Dress Code Questions
What are the uniform requirements?
Volunteers must always wear a Caring Teen volunteer polo with a hospital photo I.D. badge so that patients, visitors, and staff can easily identify volunteers. Uniforms are generally purchased during one of your onsite appointments or on your first day for around $30 and are a tax-deductible item. You will purchase your uniform from the Gift Shop located in Dunn Tower 1st floor lobby and bring your receipt to the Volunteer Services Office to receive the uniform.
The Caring Teen uniform is worn with the appropriate length of dress, skirt, or slacks. Photo I.D. badges must always be worn on the uniform above the waist, and in plain view. Denim, capri pants, shorts, athletic wear, and open-toed shoes are not permitted. Please wear comfortable shoes with a rubber sole. Volunteers who fail to meet the dress code requirements will be asked by their supervisor or volunteer coordinator to return home 2(VS52 Volunteer Personal appearance) 5(VS55 Volunteer I.D. Badge) and are subject to termination at the discretion of the Director of Volunteer Services.