Volunteer or Donate

Durham VA Medical Center

Getting Started – Mandatory Orientation

• All new volunteers must attend the MANDATORY hospital orientation on Saturday, January  24, 2026 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm if they are accepted into a volunteer program:
• If you cannot attend this mandatory orientation, you cannot volunteer in the fall. Please do not continue with the application process.
• Alternative orientation dates will not be provided.
• Department training may also be scheduled for immediately following volunteer orientation depending on your placement.

Who can apply?

• Freshman, sophomores, juniors and seniors (currently enrolled in a 2-4 year degree program) may apply to volunteer.

Volunteer Commitment

• Volunteers are required to volunteer a minimum of 2 hours per assigned day for at least 2 academic semesters.
• Volunteers will not be required to volunteer on federal government holidays/breaks (Labor Day, fall break, Thanksgiving break), but may volunteer if they are staying on campus.

If you meet the application, orientation and commitment requirements above, please follow the steps below.

Step 1: Review Volunteer Opportunities

• Volunteer opportunities for college students (View College Volunteer Opportunities Below) 

Step 2: Complete Volunteer Application

• Complete a Volunteer Application between 9:00 am on Friday, October 18, 2025 through 9:00 am on Friday, November 14, 2025.
• Applications received after the 9:00 am deadline on Friday, November 14, 2025, will not be accepted. Volunteer opportunities will be limited and not all students will have the opportunity to volunteer for the spring semester.

Step 3: Health Clearance

• Complete steps 1, 2 and 3 below no later than November 14, 2025.
• Requesting your health clearance by the November 14, 2025 deadline does not guarantee that you will be accepted into the volunteer program. The number of openings, your interview, your availability, and your choice of volunteer assignment will impact our decision.
• Your completed health clearance consist of providing the following documents:
  1. TB Test within the past year
  2. TB Risk Assessment Form
  3. TB Symptom Questionnaire
  4. Immunizations providing MMR and Varicella
  5. Flu Shot Verification

Step 4: Interviews

• Virtual interviews will be scheduled between January 5 to January 16, 2026.
• You will be contacted via email the week of December 29th to schedule an interview.

Step 5: Decisions

• Decision emails will be sent to all applicants on January 19, 2026.
• If you are accepted, the email will include your volunteer assignment.

If you have any questions, please contact Volunteer Services at vhavhadurvoluntaryservices@va.gov

Volunteer opportunities will be limited. Below is a sample of the opportunities that may be available. Not all areas will be accepting new volunteers.

Hospice

Visit with Veterans and caregivers on the hospice unit.  This may include reading to Veterans, playing games, watching TV or sitting quietly at the bedside.  Ensure supplies in the kitchen are stocked for visitors.  Obtain needed supplies (quilts, coffee, puzzles) from Voluntary Services as needed.

Emergency Department

Volunteers will be required to do several duties such as answer the telephone and answer patient bells (when MSA is unavailable).  Ensure each patient room is stocked with appropriate linens and pillows.  Perform hourly rounds to ensure patient needs are met. Ensure supply carts are properly stocked and other administrative duties as deemed necessary by Nurse Manager.

Dementia

Volunteers will engage in conversation focused on the Veteran’s interest and pleasurable events. Facilitate meaningful cognitive or social stimulation via a person centered approach.  Provide individual support for activity engagement.