Junior Volunteers
High School Students with a Passion for Helping
Liam
2023 Junior Volunteer
Junior Volunteers Learn on the Job
For more than two decades, Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital has welcomed junior volunteers every summer. Many of Sentara's own nurse leaders and clinicians got their start through the program and now enjoy opportunities to give back to the next generation.
Junior volunteers shadow nurses, doctors, medical imagining professionals, and others to gain valuable hands-on experience supporting patients and assisting staff from every hospital division. Students "graduate" from the program with a deeper understanding of the wide range of healthcare careers and a more grounded understanding of the experience of working in a fast-paced hospital environment.
In the words of 2023 Junior Volunteer Marget Lee "Joining the Junior Volunteer program will only benefit you, whatever career path you choose to follow."
Learn more about the Program
Our Junior Volunteer Program gives high school students the opportunity to experience what it is like to work in the healthcare field while giving back to their community.
The program has the goals of:
-Exposing students to careers in health and healthcare
-Increasing knowledge of personal and community health
-Giving experience in a hospital setting to high school students
The Junior Volunteer Application is an online based application. It opens in January of the same year.
Who should apply?
Any 16-18 year old high school interested in healthcare careers or want to experience what it looks like to work in a healthcare setting. They must have completed their 9th grade year.
What is the ideal applicant?
Someone who:
- is interested in exploring the healthcare career field in the hospital setting,
- 16-18 years old,
- is a rising 11th, 12th, or graduating high school senior,
- is available June 8 for the mandatory orientation
How many hours will I complete if I finish the program?
You will receive around 25 hours of volunteer time. There will be an opportunity to receive more hours through special projects.
When will I volunteer?
During orientation we will be scheduling placements. You will be placed in a department, day, and time that works for you. You will have one placement that is a 3 or 4-hour shift once a week for the summer. We work with your schedule as best we can.
When is orientation?
Mandatory orientation will be on June 8.
Where will I volunteer in the hospital?
We try to place students in an area/department they are interested in. It is not guaranteed that you will get your first-choice department due to spacing and scheduling. There are areas of the hospital that we do not place student volunteers due to safety concerns. Two examples are our labor and delivery floor and the operating room.
Can I still do this program if I have a job or other volunteer experience?
We try to work with student's schedules to open up the opportunity to all. However, we do not guarantee you will be able to do both. Both orientation dates are mandatory. We recommend reaching out to the Junior Volunteer Team with any questions around scheduling.
What is the last day to apply?
The last date to apply will be Sunday March 1, 2026, at 11:59 pm.
I am going to turn 16 in the summer, can I participate?
We will only accept those who turn 16 on or before the orientation date.
What will I be doing at the hospital?
During orientation you will explore healthcare careers, have an in-depth tour of the hospital, meet with your preceptor and team, opportunity to give back to your community, and more! Once you are placed in a department you will have shadowing experience and possibly even help support caring for patients depending on the department.
If you have any other questions, please email us at SMJH_JUNIORVOL@sentara.com.
Support Our Future
Your continued philanthropic support will ensure that Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital will be able to train the next generations of healthcare workers. Thank you!