Shift Programs
Before you apply to become a Shift Program volunteer, ask yourself these quick questions to ensure that you are able to fulfill the role of a volunteer at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
- Do I live within 60 miles of Memphis, TN?
- Am I at least 24 years of age or older? And if I’m 18 to 23 years of age, I am not enrolled in high school or college.
- Am I available during the day, Monday through Friday? Night and weekend placements are currently limited.
- Have I carefully considered my schedule and know that I can commit to volunteering once a week (2 – 4 hour shift) for one year?
- Do I have a positive attitude and a sincere interest in the hospital and its mission of helping children?
- Do I understand and am I comfortable with the idea and image of a child with an illness or in pain?
- Will I treat my volunteer responsibilities with the same respect that I do work obligations, committing to serve on a regular day and time?
- Do I enjoy working in new situations, taking on different duties, or helping in additional ways based on the needs of the people around me?
- I do not seek a paid position with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital?
- Am I comfortable making repeated trips to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to complete volunteer orientation, medical checks and training (this may total as many as 4 trips to the hospital) before my actual volunteer shift begins?
- Do I willingly agree to submit to a criminal background check, including credit check and understand that St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital does not accept volunteers performing court-ordered volunteer service?
If you answer "yes" to all, please continue. If you answer "no" to any, it is possible that our organization may not meet your goals as a volunteer.
Please read the next grouping of statements.
- I hope that my volunteer work will lead to a job at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
- I want to use my volunteer position to improve my English-speaking skills.
- I hope to meet other people like me and expand my social network.
- I want to gain clinical experience (hopefully by shadowing or assisting a member of the hospital's medical staff).
- I hope volunteering my time will help me work through the loss of a loved one.
- I hope to share my personal experience with others.
- I am "in between jobs" and am hoping to use my free time to be of service.
- I need to be busy all the time.
If any of the above statements apply to you, it is possible that our organization may not meet your goals as a volunteer or that the great needs of our patients and their families may not be met. However, we invite you to consider serving our patients in other equally valuable ways which still demand a significant time commitment on your part.
Other Volunteer Opportunities
If you answered "yes" to all of the of questions in the first list and none of the statements in the second list applied to you, please continue.
Research
