Our first volunteers
Inova Alexandria Hospital was started by volunteers in 1872. Julia Johns, daughter of the Episcopal bishop of Alexandria, called together a group of concerned citizens and friends who were interested in charity work. Johns asked for their support in forming a society that would both establish and run a local hospital; this was the beginning of Alexandria Hospital.
Alexandrians and residents in the surrounding community continue to volunteer enthusiastically and serve throughout the hospital as well as at the Springfield Health Plex. Our volunteers support our clinical and support teams in delivering excellent care and providing a positive patient experience.
Learn more about volunteering at Inova Alexandria Hospital
Service area options and availability
Current service needs and availability are updated monthly in the interactive volunteer opportunities box below. Select the hamburger menu (three horizontal lines) to see assignments with openings at each of the hospital sites. By clicking the duties and times needed dropdowns, you can view more details about the service area and the times we currently have openings.
Requirements to become a volunteer
- Commit to one, 3-4 hour shift per week for a minimum of 6 months
- Be at least 18 years of age (for involvement in the College and Adult programs)
- Complete and pass a background check
- Complete two rounds of tuberculosis screening OR one 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
- Receive a flu vaccine (if onboarding during flu season)
- Take online training
- Attend new volunteer training class
Applications are reviewed during designated open application windows throughout the calendar year. Before applying, please be sure you’ll be available to attend the corresponding mandatory orientation session and meet the attendance requirement of your program. You’ll begin volunteering within one week of the orientation session.
Adult and year-round college student applications
Attendance requirement: serve one, 3-4 hour shift per week for a minimum of six months.
- Applications open: Tuesday, December 31 at 10 a.m. – Tuesday, January 7 at 10 a.m.
- All applications will be responded to by Friday, January 10
- Mandatory Meet & Greet/information session via Zoom: Monday, January 13 at 7 p.m. or Tuesday, January 14 at 12 p.m.
- Mandatory in-person orientation: Thursday, February 13 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
High school spring semester registration
- The high school student program receives a high volume of interest and applicants. As a result, selection to the program is by lottery.
- Children of Inova team members and returning volunteers are exempt from the lottery but are required to register and meet all other requirements and dates.
- Students must be 16 years of age by January 6, 2025 to participate.
- Only one entry per applicant is permitted. Students will have the opportunity to rank their preference from several Inova locations but will be selected for one location only.
Registration opens at 3 p.m. on Friday, November 1, 2024 and closes at 12 p.m. (noon) on Sunday, November 3 at this link: https://forms.office.com/r/R9n1nrTcVD.
Lottery selection: November 4. Students will be notified of lottery results by 11:59 p.m. on November 5.
Mandatory information session with a parent: Wednesday, November 13 from 6 – 7:30 p.m. Students must attend the meeting with either a parent or legal guardian.
Mandatory training class: Thursday, January 2, 2025, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Session dates: January 6 – June 15, 2025
Attendance requirement: serve one, 3-4 hour shift per week from the week of January 6 – June 15. A maximum of two absences are permitted during the program.
Volunteer application link
Volunteer Application (adult & college only)
Please note: the below application is for our adult and college programs only. Details for the spring semester High School Program can be found above in the 'upcoming applications windows' section.
Applications will be open from Tuesday, December 31 at 10 a.m. through Tuesday, January 7 at 10 a.m.