Thank you for your interest in volunteering. New volunteers need to submit an application, attend orientation, and interview before volunteering.

Do I need to submit a volunteer application?

It depends. If any of the following applies to you, you do not need to submit an application:

  • You’ve served as a volunteer in the past.
  • You recently submitted an application and want to make changes.
  • You submitted an application but were unable to attend orientation.

If you meet any of this criteria, do not submit an application. Instead, please call our office at 717-531-8278.

Who can apply to be a volunteer?

All volunteers must be 16 or older. Volunteers 18 or older should complete an adult application. Volunteers 16 and 17 years old should complete the teen application.

Adult volunteers must be able to commit to a minimum of 100 hours within the first year. 

Teen volunteers must commit to a minimum of 50 hours within the first year. Evening and weekend shifts are available to fulfill this requirement.

Due to mandatory state requirements for volunteering, we are unable to accommodate short term volunteer service. Additionally, we are unable to accommodate court-ordered community service.

What are the application requirements?

All volunteers must submit an online application, attend an orientation, and complete an interview.

Additionally, you must undergo:

Criminal background checks:

  • Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) (online and free of charge)
  • Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance (online and free of charge)
  • FBI fingerprinting clearance background check (register online, fee applies)

Health screening:

We ask that you provide documentation of vaccinations:

  • Diptheria
  • Measles
  • Mumps
  • Pertussis (Tdap)
  • Rubella (MMR)
  • Tetanus (adult)
  • Tuberculosis (TB)
  • Varicella (Chickenpox)

If you do not have documentation of the above, our Employee Health department can assist you.

Instructions and the required forms will be provided at orientation.

What happens after I fill out the application?

After you've completed your application, an email will be sent to the address you provide on this form. The email will contain the information you entered on your application.

Note that you will not hear directly from Volunteer Services. Please attend the orientation you chose on your application.

What do I need to know about orientation?

Orientations are held at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center are scheduled monthly.

At the end of orientation, you will schedule an interview with the manager of Volunteer Services. Some volunteer positions, such as Child Life and Pet Therapy, require additional interviews or evaluations.

Learn more about volunteer orientation

What can I expect during the interview?

You’ll talk with the manager of Volunteer Services about your interests and background. The interview is an opportunity to bring up questions you may have about volunteering and to match your skills and talents with the needs of the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.

Because volunteers are asked to commit to work the same day and time each week, we ask that you come to the interview prepared with your availability.

What should I bring to my health screening?

All employee health requirements must be completed before you can start as a volunteer. This means that you will need to provide us with certain documentation or complete the necessary tests to ensure immunity.. There is no financial charge for our services.

At your health appointment, please bring:

  • Any documentation you have for childhood immunizations for MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) and varicella (chickenpox). If you do not have records, blood titers will be drawn to prove immunity.

All new volunteers will have blood drawn to ensure that you have not been exposed to TB (tuberculosis).

How long does the application process take?

Mandatory health screenings and background checks could take up to two months to complete, and you will not start your assignment until all are completed.