Frequently asked questions

A: The steps to becoming a volunteer are:

• Complete an application
• Interview
• Attend an orientation
• Employee Health screening
• Background check
• On-campus training

A: It typically takes several weeks to complete all of the necessary steps. Email Volunteers@HonorHealth.com with questions about the onboarding process.

A: You can volunteer at one of our nine medical centers or Desert Mission.

A: Volunteer age requirements are:

• Adult volunteers: 18+ years old
• College Volunteer Program: 17+ years old
• High School Explorer Club: Must be entering their freshman year of high school and 13 years old when the Club year begins.
• Summer High School Volunteer Program: Must have completed their sophomore year of high school and be at least 15 years old. High school students are accepted through their senior year.

A: All volunteers will receive a free health screening through Employee Health which will include a TB test. All volunteers must be up to date on their MMR vaccinations, and must receive an annual flu shot.

A: The COVID-19 vaccine is optional, but HonorHealth continues to advocate strongly for all team members, clinicians and volunteers to keep their COVID-19 vaccinations up to date. The seasonal flu shot vaccine is required during flu season (medical or religious exceptions are available).

A: Volunteers and staff are required to follow hand hygiene protocols. High touch surfaces are disinfected frequently, and masks are always available to team members, volunteers, guests and patients. Contact the Volunteer Services Office for more information on how HonorHealth keeps our facilities and volunteers safe.

A: Call the Volunteer Services Department at 480-587-5097 or email Volunteers@HonorHealth.com.

A: Yes. You’ll attend an orientation before your first shift and receive on-the-job training with your leader and current volunteers.

A: An HonorHealth polo shirt and ID badge are provide at no cost. Full-length khakis or slacks that are solid tan, black or navy and closed-toe shoes are required. Jeans are not permitted in any hospital service areas. Desert Mission Food Bank volunteers may wear jeans or shorts with an HonorHealth polo.

A: No. Volunteers are not guaranteed placement in their desired roles. Your leader will review scheduling and campus needs to determine placement.

A: No. Volunteering does not guarantee job placement or availability.

A: Volunteer shifts are available between 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., seven days a week.

A: Use your Volgistics.com login to change, remove or add shifts to your schedule.

A: If possible, please provide two weeks’ notice to allow for schedule adjustment.

A: No. Volunteers are not required to work on federal holidays.

A: Yes. Your leader will assist you with planning your schedule after the onboarding process is complete.

A: HonorHealth requires visiting pets be certified therapy animals (i.e. Alliance of Therapy Dogs, Therapy Dogs International and Pets on Wheels). Contact Volunteer Services to learn more about the therapy animal program.

A: Accommodations are available for a wide range of volunteer positions. Contact Volunteer Services to discuss specific needs.

A: NICU volunteer positions are limited, with few openings. Volunteer positions are not guaranteed at this time.

A: Yes. HonorHealth can provide yarn for the Tender Loving Crafters program. Please fill out this crafting interest form. Then, a member on our team will reach out to you with more details on crafting for HonorHealth.

A: The College Volunteer Program is currently offered at:

• Four Peaks Medical Center
• Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center
• Scottsdale Shea Medical Center
• Tempe Medical Center

A: Yes, there may be opportunities for college students at other campuses, but you may not have access to the benefits of the College Volunteer Program. You can fill out an application to explore adult volunteer opportunities at other HonorHealth medical centers and Desert Mission.

A: The application will close on the application deadline or when spots are full at a campus. We encourage students to apply early once the application opens. You can find the application deadline on the college opportunities page. 

A: No. Applications for medical centers with the College Volunteer Program are only accepted during the application window. If a student misses the deadline or if spaces fill before they submit their application, they must wait for the next application cycle. Students can email StudentVolunteers@HonorHealth.com to be added to the email list to receive notification when the application opens.

A: No. The program is competitive and not all applications will be accepted. Placement is based on quality of the application, quality of the interview, and availability. 

A: Graduate students and students in a gap year between undergraduate and graduate school are not eligible for the College Volunteer Program, and they should complete the adult volunteer application to be considered for volunteer service. 

A: Once accepted into the program, your onboarding requirements include:

• Attend an orientation
• Employee Health screening
• Background check
• On-campus training
   

A: Yes. While students are encouraged to complete three consecutive semesters, participants in the College Volunteer Program are allowed to take one semester off.  Students who live out of state can take the summer off and resume in the fall without penalty.

A: Yes, you can apply, but you may not be able to fully complete the College Volunteer Program or receive the full benefits of the program. You'll be able to discuss this more during the interview. 

A: Yes, you can apply, but you may not be able to fully complete the College Volunteer Program or receive the full benefits of the program. You'll be able to discuss this more during the interview. 

A: HonorHealth has two programs for high school student volunteers:

• Summer High School Volunteer Program: Runs in June and July; applications open mid-January and close late February.
• Explorers Club: Runs in August and May; applications open mid-May and close mid-June.

A: No, the applications and programs are entirely separate. Acceptance in one program is not contingent on your acceptance in the other program.

A: Shadowing is not a part of either of our high school student volunteer programs. We do not allow students 17 or younger to shadow in our facilities.

A: No. High school students (under 18) must begin their service in either the Summer High School Volunteer Program or the Explorers Club.

A: No, we do not allow students to begin volunteering during the school year. We only accept new high school student volunteers through our Explorers Club program and through our Summer High School Volunteer Program.

A: Yes. Summer-only volunteers must be fully onboarded by May 20. Email Volunteers@HonorHealth.com to inquire about summer-only service.

A: Yes. High school student programs are only available to Arizona residents attending school in the state.

A: This program is for Arizona high school students who are at least 15 years old and will become an incoming junior or senior in the coming school year. High school seniors who are 18 years old before June 1 may complete the adult volunteer application starting April 15. Current seniors should not apply.

The Summer High School Volunteer Program begins with an application process in January with a due date in late February. In-person interviews are conducted in March. In April, applicants are informed via email if they have been accepted or not accepted.

A: No. This is a highly competitive program, and not all applicants will be selected. We frequently have to turn away over 50% of applicants. We encourage students to take their time on the application. When responding to the essay questions, be thorough and provide examples when possible.
 

A: If accepted, all onboarding steps must be completed before starting the program. Onboarding includes visiting Employee Health, attending mandatory orientations for both parent/guardian and student, and completing Volunteer Services paperwork.

A: The commitment is from June to mid-July with a weekly commitment of two four-hour shifts, Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. High school students are allowed to miss two shifts during the seven-week program. If any of the onboarding steps or a third shift are missed, the student may be removed from the program.

Students should carefully consider the required time commitment to being involved in this program. For example, if your family is taking a two-week vacation during the program you will not be eligible for the program. Program dates will be shared once the application opens in mid-January.

A: We do not guarantee that high school students can continue during the school year. They must earn this opportunity by successfully completing the Summer High School Volunteer Program.

A: No, the high school student should be applying for themselves with their own email address for both the Explorers Club Program and the Summer High School Volunteer Program.

A: No. Students who were part of the program the previous year do not need to re-
apply. Current high school student volunteers should work directly with their supervisor to express their interest in serving again.

A: HonorHealth Explorers Clubs are student-run and expose students who are interested in healthcare careers to a variety of hands-on events, learning opportunities and chances to interact with healthcare professionals. Meetings are held once per month and students must be in high school, grades 9-12 during the academic year, to participate.

The program begins with an application process in mid – May with a due date in mid – June. Completed applications are sent to be reviewed by the elected student boards for each club. Applicants are informed via email if they have been accepted or not accepted in mid-July.

A: Any returning Explorer Club member must reapply each year unless they are an elected member of the board.

A: No, the Explorers Club is very competitive as there is limited space in each Club. We frequently have to turn away over 50% of applicants. We encourage applicants to take their time on their application. When responding to the essay questions, be thorough and provide examples when possible.

A: If accepted, membership is contingent on completing the onboarding prior to the deadline. Onboarding includes visiting Employee Health, completing Volunteer Services & Explorers Club specific paperwork, and attending the mandatory first Club meeting. New members have a non-refundable club due of $55. For returning members, there is a non-refundable club renewal fee of $45. Financial aid is available upon request.

A: The Club runs from August to May. The meetings are as follows:

• Medical Explorers Club at HonorHealth Deer Valley Medical Center meets the second Wednesday of each month from 5 to 7 p.m. at 19829 N. 27th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85027.
• Medical Explorers Club at HonorHealth John C. Lincoln Medical Center meets the third Wednesday of each month from 5 to 7 p.m. at 250 E. Dunlap Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85020.
• Medical Explorers Club at HonorHealth Scottsdale Thompson Peak Medical Center meets the second Thursday of each month from 5 to 7 p.m. at 7400 E. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ 85255.
• Nursing Explorers Club at HonorHealth Center of Clinical Excellence meets the first Wednesday of each month from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 19602 N. 23rd Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85027.

A: Club members are allowed three excused absences over the course of the Club year (August to May). An excused absence requires advance notice provided to the Club secretary. Additional policies on attendance will be shared in the first meeting of the year. If you think you will miss more than three meetings, please do not apply for the Explorers Club.

A: Community service hours are not available at any HonorHealth campus or facility.

A: Desert Mission accepts volunteers Monday – Thursday for morning shifts from 8 a.m. – noon and afternoon shifts from noon – 4 p.m. On Friday, Desert Mission accepts volunteers for the morning shift from 8 a.m. – noon. The Food Bank is closed on Saturday and Sunday.