Volunteer in Greater Baton Rouge

Pastoral Care: Reporting to the Pastoral Care Team, volunteers provide an increased spiritual presence by rounding on patients, introducing Pastoral Care services, offering prayer and making referrals to chaplains as needed. Eucharistic Ministers provide Holy Communion to catholic patients and their families, as well as team members (on request). 

Research: Research volunteers work with faculty and staff to support clinical research initiatives. Research volunteers are not allowed to provide patient care, even under supervision, but are allowed to provide support services to the division or department with which they work. 

Patient Experience (PX) Ambassador: Support patients and families with non-clinical needs. Activity opportunities vary based on location and current campus focus. Current activities include:

• Dedicated Unit: Volunteers are assigned to a specific hospital unit. Duties include but are not limited to answering call lights, delivering blankets and ice, stocking supplies, completing visual checklists and offering companionship for patients. 
• Game Changers: Volunteers visit patient rooms, offering an opportunity to engage in miscellaneous games, activities or conversation.
• Wayfinding: Volunteers provide a welcoming environment for visitors on our campuses. Wayfinders guide patients and guests to their destination or answer general questions. Team members will ensure the public areas are tidy and equipment functions properly, and will notify staff when a work order is needed.
• Cancer Services Administrative Support: Assist staff in assembling 3-ring binders for patient handout. 

Available Shifts for Patient Experience (PX) Ambassadors

Pastoral Care: Reporting to the Pastoral Care Team, volunteers provide an increased spiritual presence by rounding on patients, introducing Pastoral Care services, offering prayer and making referrals to chaplains as needed. Eucharistic Ministers provide Holy Communion to catholic patients and their families, as well as team members (on request). 

Patient Experience (PX) Ambassador: Support patients and families with non-clinical needs. Activity opportunities vary based on location and current campus focus. Current activities include:

• Dedicated Unit: Volunteers are assigned to a specific hospital unit. Duties include but are not limited to answering call lights, delivering blankets and ice, stocking supplies, completing visual checklists and offering companionship for patients. 
• Wayfinding: Volunteers provide a welcoming environment for visitors on our campuses. Wayfinders guide patients and guests to their destination or answer general questions. Team members will ensure the public areas are tidy and equipment functions properly, and will notify staff when a work order is needed.
• Waiting Room Aide: Ensure a welcoming environment for patients and their families. Responsibilities include relaying information to family members, maintaining an orderly environment and ensuring coffee and supplies are available.

Available Shifts for Patient Experience (PX) Ambassadors

Patient Experience (PX) Ambassador: Support patients and families with non-clinical needs.

• Book Buddies: Reading is known to help reduce stress and have a calming effect on children. Book Buddies will visit room to room with the mobile Book Buddy Library to read stories to our younger population of patients.  
• Hands & Heart (Floors 3, 4 and 5): Hands and Heart volunteers bridge the gap while parents are away, partnering with our nursing staff to cuddle and rock babies, play games with children bedside, read stories and keep children company while they wait for their parents to return. Volunteers must be 25+ years of age and complete competency requirements. 
• heART Cart: Share your creativity by helping patients discover their inner Picasso or express their emotions through various art activities. Volunteers will visit designated patient rooms and waiting areas for fun art activities.  
• Hello Helpers: Hello Helpers act as greeters for families newly admitted to our Children’s Hospital and help them to navigate their new home away from home.  Volunteers visit patient rooms to inform families about services and amenities. 
• Child Life: Volunteers visit the 3rd, 4th and 5th floors of our Children’s Hospital. Services provided include sanitizing toys and play spaces, visiting patients and families, bedside and playroom interactions, restocking play and storage spaces, and supporting our Child Life Specialists.

Child Life Student Volunteer: 

• Practicum: A Child Life Practicum provides students who are majoring in Child Life, Family Studies, Child Development or a related field with the opportunity to work with hospitalized children under the supervision of a certified Child Life Specialist. Practicum students will observe the Child Life Specialist facilitate pre-procedural preparation, procedural support and distraction, medical/therapeutic play, and diagnosis education. Practicum students will also participate in playroom programming, provide bedside play, and begin introducing services to patients and families. Ultimately, this experience is designed to prepare students to successfully enter a Child Life internship. This is a 10- to 12-week experience totaling 120+ hours (about 10 hours a week). Applications must be received by the deadlines set by the Child Life team.  

Available Shifts for Patient Experience (PX) Ambassadors and Child Life Students 

Your time is valuable, and we appreciate your willingness to share it with us. To provide an efficient and enjoyable experience, we ask volunteers to pledge: 

• A six-month commitment to a mutually established schedule and activity.  
• Adherence to an assigned weekly, 3- or 4-hour shift schedule.

*For specialized placements, the commitment times may vary.  

Applicants must meet the following criteria for acceptance into the Volunteer Program:  

• All volunteers should:
  • Be friendly, approachable and professional
  • Be a good listener
  • Treat everyone with kindness, courtesy and respect
  • Be dependable and punctual
  • Be fluent in the English language
  • Have a valid email address  
• Minimum age of 18 years
• Successful completion of a tuberculosis (TB) skin test or an authorized attestation form from your health provider.
  • TB tests may be completed by a physician of your choice or performed at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center located in Baton Rouge.
  • Test results must be dated within the past 12 months to be considered current. 
• Successful completion of a background investigation
• Participate in an orientation 

Proof of immunization for: 

• Flu (in-season)
• Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis – DTaP (Children’s Hospital only) 
• Measles, Mumps and Rubella – MMR (Children’s Hospital only) 
• Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine recommended 

Dress Code:

• Clothing must be neat, clean and appropriate for a business environment
• Khaki style pants and knee-length skirts/dresses are appropriate. No jeans or athletic wear may be worn
• Volunteers are provided a polo shirt
• Closed toe shoes, including tennis shoes, are appropriate
• Heavy fragrances and bulk jewelry should be avoided

Some service areas may require the following:

• Ability to stand and walk for entire shift
• Light lifting, pushing and pulling
• Reaching, repetitive hand movements, bending and stooping
• Ability to safely handle hot liquids or prepare snacks 

Hospital volunteers serve a minimum of six (6) consecutive months of service. Most of our volunteer programs require a weekly shift of 4 hours. 

Currently, we do not offer volunteer opportunities for those under the age of 18 years. 

Yes! Please email our Foundation at donations@ololchildrens.org for more information. 

Currently, we do not offer May - July service opportunities, but we are working to offer a 12-week summer-only program for Summer 2026. The minimum requirements will remain the same, however volunteers must serve an average of 20 hours a week for the 12-week timeframe. Check back in March of 2026 for updated information.