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Teen Volunteer Program

Teen volunteer dressed up for Halloween

The Teen Volunteer Program is a rewarding experience that provides a special opportunity for teens, ages 15-17, who are interested in gaining a first-hand experience in a pediatric health care environment.

Teens who are accepted into the program will be placed in a variety of approved assignments throughout the hospital under supervision of UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh staff.

The Teen Volunteer Program application period has passed, and we are no longer accepting new application inquiries for teens, ages 15-17, for the remainder of the calendar year.

If you or someone you know will be eligible and interested in becoming a teen volunteer next year, please check back by next January or early February to find out about the Teen Volunteer Program application process. Please note that this program is extremely popular, as we receive a very large number of inquiries each year, and we are not able to accept all candidates.

We are once again anticipating a high number of candidates for a limited number of positions at the Main Hospital in Lawrenceville, along with openings at satellite locations in Monroeville (CHP East), Bridgeville (CHP South) and Wexford (CHP North Surgery Center & CHP Pine Center).

To create a quality experience for each teen volunteer while supporting the greatest needs of the hospital, a limited number of candidates will be selected for interviews based on the following criteria:

  • Be 15-17 years of age (having turned 15 by June 1, 2025).
  • Commit to two (or three) day a week schedule (6 to 8 hours per week) for at least 8 weeks during the summer months (we can work your schedule around one or two weeks of vacation).
  • Have two non-relatives complete reference form on your behalf.
  • Complete and must show documentation of the following immunizations prior to attending New Volunteer Orientation Training session(s):
    • TB (negative Tuberculosis test result – either Quantiferon Gold Blood test or two separate PPD negative readings).
    • Tdap (from within the last 10 years).

If program participants complete the program in the Summer and are in satisfactory or higher standing, they will be eligible, if interested, to be placed into select assignments on CHP’s year-round volunteer schedules and/or part of the following Summer program.

The Volunteer Services Department does not process requests for internships, externships, clinical or professional shadowing, or research opportunities within UPMC Children's.

If you are interested in pursuing those types of opportunities, contact the hospital department directly for information.

Contact UPMC Children's Volunteer Services

To learn more about Volunteer Services at UPMC Children's, call 412-692-5185 or email chpvolunteer@chp.edu.

Learn more about all UPMC Volunteer Services »