2024 Summer Teen Volunteer Program FAQs

A: This program is for Arizona high school students who will become an incoming sophomore, junior or senior in the 2024–25 school year. High school seniors who will be 18 years old before June 1 may complete the adult volunteer application starting Wednesday, May 1. Current seniors should not apply.

A: The program is a seven-week session that runs Monday, June 3, through Friday, July 19. Additionally, there are mandatory onboarding dates during the month of May. Prior to applying, teens should carefully consider the required time commitment.

A: The program requires a weekly commitment of eight hours as two (2) four-hour shifts. Volunteer hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Teens joining for their first summer of service will not be placed on a weekend or evening shift. Teens can miss two shifts during the seven-week program. Most campuses do not offer “make-up” shifts. Once the third shift is missed, the teen may be removed from the program.

A: The application deadline is noon on Thursday, Feb. 29. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

A: Potential teen volunteers should submit all the items below via email no later than noon on Thursday, Feb. 29 to volunteers@honorhealth.com:

• A completed online application.
• A one-page document answering the following three questions:
  • What is one talent or personal trait that will make you a great volunteer?
  • HonorHealth is guided by our ICARE values of innovation, collaboration, accountability, respect and empathy. Which of these ICARE values is most important in your own life and why?
  • How will you prioritize this volunteer commitment and balance other summer activities, including family time, work, time with friends, sports, clubs, etc.?
• A copy of your unofficial high school transcript.
• The online recommendation form, completed by someone outside of your immediate family.
  • This should be someone who can speak to your work ethic and/or character.
• A copy of your immunization record.

A: Explorers who do not currently volunteer at a medical center must apply for the program. Those who are currently providing volunteer services do not need to apply.

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

A: Teens who wish to move from their previous medical center to another facility should email their request to volunteers@honorhealth.com. Transfers are not guaranteed and are considered on a case-by-case basis.

A: Yes. HonorHealth team members providing recommendations must complete the online recommendation form. Any provided reference must be familiar with the teen’s character and fitness for volunteer service, and should not be a direct family member. Telephone calls, emails and other personal contact with the selection committee are not allowed.

A: Acceptance to summer service is a competitive process, with teens applying from around the Valley. More applications are received than there is space for volunteers. The application and interview are the only criteria used for the selection process, so we encourage applicants to take their time and diligently fill out the application to give them the best chance of acceptance into the program. When completing the application and interview, we encourage applicants to:

• Fully read and answer all parts of the questions: Many applicants do not fully answer the questions. If a question has two parts, be sure the answer reflects all the requested information.
• Interacting and connecting with strangers is important in this role: Please don’t attend the interview and only speak with friends or people known to you. It is important to see how potential applicants interact with others, as volunteers may have some patient interaction once accepted to the program. 

A: Applicants will receive a confirmation email after submission of their online application packet with information regarding next steps. 

All applicants must attend a group interview at your first-choice campus on the date selected on your application. In-person interviews will be held at the end of March/beginning of April. Due to the volume of applications, we cannot guarantee alternative interview times.

A: Email is the primary form of communication used to connect with volunteers. Please ensure a valid email address is listed on the application and that this email account is checked regularly during the application timelines. As this is a program that promotes teen accountability, we strongly encourage the applicant’s email account be used, instead of one belonging to a parent/guardian.

A: Volunteer Services will notify applicants of acceptance after group interviews are completed using the email listed on the application. It is strongly recommended that this is the applicant's email address and not the email of a parent or guardian.

A: We ask that you consider choosing your group interview date carefully and noting it on a calendar. We may not be able to accommodate date change requests.

A: No. This is a competitive program with limited volunteer positions available at each campus.

A: A parent/guardian must attend one of two mandatory, 60-minute online Zoom orientations:

• 5 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24.
• 9 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 27.

Teen volunteers must attend one of two in-person orientations:

• 9 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 4.
• 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8.

Teens are also required to attend a two-hour campus orientation between Monday, May 27 and Monday, June 3; dates and times will vary by campus. Teens accepted into the program will be given their assigned time and date.

A: On your application, please select your preferred location. We will do our best to place you at your desired campus or medical center of choice. At times, alternative service locations are selected by HonorHealth based on availability and campus needs.

A: Volunteers are a valuable part of HonorHealth’s daily operations and are counted on by team members to support our healing environment. If you’re unable to commit to the time requirement, we ask that you reconsider applying for the program. If you miss three shifts, you may be removed from the program.

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 influenza vaccine is required during flu season (medical or religious exceptions are available).

A: No, carpooling with other summer teen volunteers is not recommended, as we are unable to coordinate shifts with other teen volunteers. If accepted to the program, it is up to the volunteer and/or family members to ensure safe transportation to and from the assigned campus location.

A: Currently, we are not able to coordinate volunteer service schedules.