High School Program

Dear Students

Welcome! Thank you for your interest in Torrance Memorial's volunteer program. Before you apply to our program, we ask you to take a look at the information below to see if we are compatible with your interests and availability. We are looking for students who have good interpersonal skills, are reliable, and have a great work ethic. Our High School Volunteer Program is 13-months long and requires consistent attendance. If you already have a full schedule, plan to travel during much of your summer break, or are going into a semester that will be highly demanding of your time, this may not be the right time to apply.

As you will see, a hospital volunteer program has many requirements but also offers many rewards. Torrance Memorial's volunteer program will engage you in high acts of service, acquaint you with a hospital setting, and will definitely keep you BUSY. If you can meet our requirements, have availability in your schedule after taking care of your academic and extra-curricular responsibilities, and are willing to challenge yourself, then the High School Volunteer Program at Torrance Memorial may be right for you! If you choose to apply, we look forward to reviewing your pre-application.

Thank You,
Torrance Memorial Volunteer Services Team

Program Overview

Torrance Memorial High School Volunteer Program is for teens at least 14 years of age and in 9th, 10th, or 11th grade at the time of orientation. The High School Volunteer Program requires a commitment to volunteering for a full 13 months of service. The last opportunity for a high school student to apply to the program is for the Spring orientation of their 11th-grade year (usually held in February or March). We do not accept applications from students in 12th grade.

High School students volunteer in our Escort Services department where they assist with various patient and staff errands throughout the hospital. These errands include but are not limited to:

  • Transporting patients
  • Making deliveries to patients
  • Delivering lab specimens, medical charts & supplies around the hospital

Please note: Due to high demand and in fairness to all families, only one child per household may serve in our program at a time.

High School Volunteer Program Info Sheet


Application Process

Spring 2024 Orientation

Pre-Application Process

  • Pre-Application available: Thursday, January 25, 2024, at 10:00 am
  • Pre-Application Deadline: Friday, January 26, 2024, at 5:00pm

High School Student Spring applicants will be notified of acceptance on or before February 16, 2024 at 6pm.

Student and Parent/Guardian Information Meeting (by invitation only):

March 5 or 7, 2024 at 6:00pm to 7:00pm

Student Orientation (by invitation only):

March 19 and 21, 2024 at 5:00pm to 7:30pm

Fall 2024 Orientation

Pre-Application Process

  • Pre-Application available: Monday, August 26, 2024, at 10:00 am
  • Pre-Application Deadline: Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at 5:00pm

APPLICATION CLOSED

High School Student Fall applicants will be notified of acceptance on or before September 18, 2024 at 6pm.

Student and Parent/Guardian Information Meeting (by invitation only):

October 1 or 9, 2024 at 6:00pm to 7:00pm

Student Orientation (by invitation only):

October 15 and 17, 2024 at 5:00pm to 7:30pm

Please Note: We do not offer summer, short-term, episodic, hands-on patient care, shadowing or observation opportunities through the High School Student Volunteer Program at Torrance Memorial.


General Requirements

  • Be between the ages of 14-18 and enrolled in 9th, 10th, or 11th grade.
  • Complete and submit a pre-application online. (Dates applications are available online will be announced on our website).
  • Attend Student & Parent Information Meeting (by invitation only).
  • Attend both mandatory orientation days (by invitation only).
  • Maintain good attendance.
  • Volunteer will provide a white top, white pants, white shoes (comfortable/walking shoes) with non-skid soles, and white shoelaces. Blue uniform jacket and ID badge provided by Torrance Memorial.
  • Able to perform Escort Services errands such as pushing a patient in a wheelchair, delivering flowers, transporting lab specimens, delivering charts, and other various tasks.
  • Provide friendly and attentive service to patients, visitors, and staff.


Shift Options

We have weekly shifts and bi-weekly shifts, which equal the same amount of hours during the 13 months of service. High School volunteer shifts are assigned according to the needs of the hospital and will be scheduled according to the following:

Weekday Shift

  • Student will be assigned one two-hour shift weekly Monday-Friday.
  • Weekday shifts are scheduled from 4:00 pm-6:00 pm
  • The student will report for service on the same day each week.
    • (Example: “Molly reports for service every Monday from 4:00pm - 6:00pm for 13 months")

Bi-Weekly

  • Student will be assigned one four-hour shift on alternating weekends
  • Weekend shifts are scheduled from 9:00am - 1:00pm or 1:00pm - 5:00pm
    • (Example: Joshua reports for service every other Sunday from 9:00am - 1:00pm)

Attendance Policy

Please read carefully. Students who are unable to adhere to the following need not apply.

In order to provide excellent care and service to our patients and their families, it is imperative that our volunteers maintain consistent attendance. We know that absences will occur due to illness, family matters, and holidays. However, our program is not able to accommodate extended absences greater than 4 weeks.

Details on absence reporting for same-day absences as well as vacation dates will be given to you if you are accepted into our program.

For Parents & Guardians

We are excited about your student’s interest in our program! We know that your support is imperative to your student’s success so we would like to say “thank you” in advance! We welcome parental involvement and will always include you in important informational communications with our high school volunteers. We prefer to communicate directly with our student volunteers as a matter of routine. One of the main ways that you can help is to remind your student to check their email frequently, as that is our primary mode of communicating with students. We appreciate your trust in us and will take very good care of your child during their time with us.

TB Screening, Flu Shots and COVID Vaccine Requirements:

Tuberculosis (TB) Screening: Healthcare personnel (Volunteers, Employees and Physicians) are required to have an annual TB screening. Torrance Memorial will provide your child with a TB screening/X-ray free of charge.

Flu Vaccine: To protect patients from flu, healthcare personnel are required to obtain a flu vaccine during respiratory season (November 1 – March 31).

COVID Vaccine: Current COVID vaccine or masking strongly recommended but are dependent on current Department of Public Health guidelines.


FAQs

Please note, the information below does not apply to student volunteers who become ill or have unforeseen emergency on the same day of service.

What if I usually take extended trips or vacations for the entire summer?

The Torrance Memorial High School volunteer program is able to accommodate 4 weeks of consecutive absences for vacations/ trips. (Please note that absences are based on weeks and not number of shifts.) If you typically take trips for much of the summer, we ask that you either shorten your trip or kindly search for a different organization to donate your volunteer service.

What if I already have a trip planned for more than 4 consecutive weeks?

We ask that you enjoy your trip and apply to our program when you are able to uphold our attendance policy. Torrance Memorial is unable to accommodate more than 4 weeks of consecutive absences.

How much advance notice do I need to give you if I am sick or before going on a trip?

Please inform our office of vacation dates as soon as they are confirmed and no later than 1 week prior to your absence.

If you are ill or have a family emergency there is a process for notifying our office and your program area. Details on how to report same day absences will be provided to you if you are accepted into our program.

What if my SAT/ ACT prep courses or Driver’s Ed class is coming up?

If you are planning to take one of these or any other type of course, please schedule it during a time that does not conflict with your volunteer schedule.

We may be able to provide a temporary shift change. This is determined on a case by case basis.

Can I volunteer short term (less than 13 months) or just during summer?

Torrance Memorial does not offer summer, short term, episodic, hands-on patient care, shadowing or observation opportunities through the High School volunteer program.

Contact Volunteer Services

Call us to learn about the volunteer opportunities available at Torrance Memorial.

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310-517-4752