| The Junior Volunteer Program offers youth ages 14-17 an opportunity to participate in departments throughout the hospital. Junior Volunteers provide thousands of hours of valuable service to patients, families, and staff, while gaining experience and self-confidence for themselves. This popular program is great way for teens to spend the summer!
Junior Volunteers may serve patients and families in a variety of settings including, but not limited to: Flower Delivery, Mail Delivery, Pharmacy, Gift Shop, Surgical Admissions Suite and Operating Room, as well as various inpatient units. A complete list of volunteer opportunities for JVs is provided with the application materials.
The application & timeline for the 8 week program begins in winter each year and includes the following steps:
Here are the 2008 dates:
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January: Returning Juniors may obtain and complete an application packet available from the Volunteer Office in mid-January (call 434-924-5251). Applications are due back in the Volunteer Office by 5:00 pm Friday, Feb. 15th 2008.
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February: First time teens (who are applying to the program) and their parents should attend the Junior Volunteer Information Session 7:00 pm-8:00 pm, Thursday, February 7th 2008, in Camp Heart Auditorium, 4th Floor, University Hospital. You will see a powerpoint presentation showing last year's Junior Volunteers working throughout the hospital. You will receive an application, meet experienced Junior Volunteers and have a question & answer period. Completed applications, which include essay questions and 2 letters of recommendation are due back in the Volunteer Office by 5:00 pm, Friday, March 7th 2008.
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Early Spring: If selected to participate in a group interview, successful candidates will be contacted. These volunteers must demonstrate enthusiasm, maturity and desire to serve others. (Space in the program is limited, unfortunately, and we regret that we are unable to accept every applicant).
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Employee Health Requirements: Students who are selected to participate must visit Employee Health for compulsory Tuberculosis screens during designated times in the Spring. In addition, documentation is required of 2 MMR vaccines and 2 varicella vaccines or date the teen contracted Chicken Pox. A Tdap vaccine will be required if documentation of tetanus is more than 5 years old.
- All selected Junior Volunteers, returning and new, must attend a Mandatory Orientation on Monday, June 16th 2008. If you are not able to attend this mandatory meeting then we will be unable to offer you a position as a Junior Volunteer this summer.
- Commit to a minimum of six weeks of weekly service during the eight week program (June 16th - August 8th). In order to allow for family vacation or summer camp, weeks do not need to be consecutive.
In appreciation for their service, JVs who complete the summer program and their families will be invited to a PARTY on the last day of the program. Certificates of achievement and awards for cumulative hours of service will be presented.
The Junior Volunteer Program is co-sponsored by the Department of Volunteer Services and the UVa Hospital Auxiliary. Each year, the Auxiliary offers the Pat and Frank Dawson Scholarship of $2,500.00 to a former Junior Volunteer who has been accepted into a post-high school health care training program. Applications are available through the Volunteer Office.
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