The heart of healthcare starts with you

Thank you for your interest in our student volunteer programs! Volunteering will give you an “inside look” into healthcare while learning about patient care, retail, and operations. Begin your rewarding experience today.

What you need to know

  • High interest means student volunteer spots are assigned by lottery
  • Only one entry per applicant is permitted
  • Email is our primary form of communication. Please ensure your email is valid, checked regularly, and that all correspondence comes directly from the student

  • Volunteers commit to 2 shifts per week, 3-4 hours each, at their assigned site

Attention high school students!
  • Join our optional summer program info session
  • When: March 24, 7-7:30 p.m.
    Where: Microsoft Teams (Virtual)
  • Click this direct link to join
  • Or visit the Teams Join a Meeting page and enter:
    Meeting ID: 258 622 302 410 31 and
    Passcode: fY6LG7Xp
  • Have questions? Submit them now to be answered live on March 24

Registration steps

Step 1:
  • Review the key dates and times by hospital location below to find what works for you
  • Registration window opens on April 11 at 8:00 a.m. and closes on April 14 at 11:45 p.m.
Step 2:
High school students register here
  • Students are considered high school students through the summer after graduation
  • Inova offers three annual high school volunteer sessions: spring, summer, and fall
 College students register here
  • For students enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs
  • Volunteering period: June - August 2026

Requirements to become a volunteer

  • High school students must be at least 16 years of age and college students must be at least 18 years of age on or before the start of the session  
  • Commit to all dates outlined for each session (no alternative dates offered) 
  • Must be interested in pursuing a career in healthcare 
    • Provide a 250-word written response: Tell us why you would like to volunteer and how this experience connects to your future healthcare career goals. This can include either clinical or nonclinical experiences.
  • Complete and pass a background check 
  • Complete 2 rounds of tuberculosis screening OR 1 tuberculosis blood test 
  • Provide confirmation of receiving the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella), Varicella (Chickenpox), Tdap for Pertussis (Whooping Cough) vaccines OR proof of immunity via titer
  • Attend a mandatory informational meeting and small group interview: 
    • High school students – In-person with a parent 
    • College students – Virtual 
  • Attend an in-person orientation session 
  • Complete an online training module 
  • Supply a photo ID

Key dates and times per hospital location

  • Summer session date commitment 
    • June 22 – Aug. 23, 2026 

  • Mandatory informational meetings: 

    High school students: In-person student-parent meeting at Inova Conference Center (Fairfax)  

    • April 25, 2026, 9 – 11:30 a.m. or  
    • April 27, 2026, 6 – 8 p.m. 

    College students: Virtual  

    • May 18, 2026, 10 – 11:30 a.m. or
    • May 19, 2026, 1 – 2:30 p.m. 

Attendance at only one informational meeting is required 

  • Mandatory in-person orientation: 
    • June 18, 2026, 9 a.m. – noon or
    • June 19, 2026, 9 a.m. – noon  

Orientation is at Inova Fairfax Hospital. Attendance at only one orientation is required

  • Summer session date commitment 
    • June 22 – Aug. 16, 2026 

  • Mandatory informational meetings: 

    High school students: In-person student-parent meeting 

    • April 25, 2026, 9 – 11:30 a.m. at Inova Conference Center (Fairfax)  
    • April 29, 2026, 6 – 8 p.m. at Inova Alexandria Hospital

    College students: Virtual  

    • April 30, 2026, 12 – 1:30 p.m. or
    • May 4, 2026, 2 – 3:30 p.m.  

Attendance at only one informational meeting is required 

  • Mandatory in-person orientation: 
    • June 18, 2026, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. or
    • June 18, 2026, 1:30 – 5:30 p.m.  

Orientation is at Inova Alexandria Hospital. Attendance at only one orientation is required and your time will be determined by your assignment

  • Summer session date commitment 
    • June 22 – Aug. 16, 2026 

  • Mandatory informational meetings: 

    High school students: In-person student-parent meeting 

    • April 23, 2026, 6 – 8:30 p.m. at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital  
    • April 25, 2026, 9 – 11:30 a.m. at Inova Conference Center (Fairfax)
    • April 28, 6 – 8:30 p.m. at Inova Loudoun Hospital 

    College students: Virtual  

    • May 18, 2026, 10 – 11:30 a.m. or
    • May 19, 2026, 1 – 2:30 p.m. 

Attendance at only one informational meeting is required 

  • Mandatory in-person orientation: 
    • June 10, 2026, 5 – 8:30 p.m. or
    • June 18, 2026, 1 – 4:30 p.m.  

Orientation is at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital. Attendance at only one orientation is required 

  • Summer session date commitment 
    • June 22 – Aug. 16, 2026 

  • Mandatory informational meetings: 

    High school students: In-person student-parent meeting 

    • April 23, 2026, 6 – 8:30 p.m. at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital  
    • April 25, 2026, 9 – 11:30 a.m. at Inova Conference Center (Fairfax)
    • April 28, 6 – 8:30 p.m. at Inova Loudoun Hospital 

    College students: Virtual  

    • May 19, 2026, 2:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. or
    • May 20, 2026, 9 – 10:30 a.m. 

Attendance at only one informational meeting is required 

  • Mandatory in-person orientation: 
    • June 11, 2026, 5 – 8:30 p.m. or
    • June 16, 2026, 1 – 4:30 p.m.  

Orientation is at Inova Loudoun Hospital. Attendance at only one orientation is required

  • Summer session date commitment 
    • June 22 – Aug. 16, 2026 

  • Mandatory informational meetings: 

    High school students: In-person student-parent meeting 

    • April 25, 2026, 9 – 11:30 a.m. at Inova Conference Center (Fairfax)  
    • April 29, 2026, 6 – 8 p.m. at Inova Alexandria Hospital 

    College students: Virtual  

    • April 30, 2026, 12 – 1:30 p.m. or
    • May 4, 2026, 2 – 3:30 p.m. 

Attendance at only one informational meeting is required 

  • Mandatory in-person orientation: 
    • June 18, 2026, 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.  

Orientation is at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital

Make an impact anywhere

Interested in other ways to give back?

Not all volunteer opportunities happen inside our hospitals. Stay connected and learn about future ways to get involved in your community.

Subscribe for opportunities