If you’re a high school student planning to explore medicine as a career, volunteering in a medical setting during the summer can be a useful first step. These programs are set up at hospitals, clinics, and community health centers where high schoolers help with non-clinical work.
The kind of work you do depends on the hospital. You might help with front desk check-ins, transport patients between departments, organize files or supplies, or assist with public health outreach. Some programs also include short workshops or orientations to help you learn about hospital rules, medical roles, and patient privacy.
The experience gives you a closer look at the daily routine in a hospital, which can help you figure out if medicine is something you want to study further. Many of these also count toward required service hours for school or future internships.
To make your search easier, we’ve compiled a list of 15 medical volunteer programs for high school students!
15 Medical Volunteer Programs for High School Students
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June – August), Fall (September – December), Winter (December – February), and Spring (March – June).
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs you with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project.
At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! While this is not a volunteer program, it does offer similar hands-on experiences. Medicine is one of the available areas, with previous students having conducted research on topics like breast cancer, Alzheimer’s, and brain tumors. You can find more details about the application here.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,290 for the 10-week AI Scholars program | $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase | $6,900 for both. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. If you are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science, you can choose the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, you will be introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects.
Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, you will get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
3. Red Cross Youth Club
Location: Red Cross Clubs are available and can be started in multiple locations
Cost: Free
Program dates: NA
Application deadline: NA
Eligibility: Varies by region and program. U.S. Red Cross youth programs require minimum age 13, with some programs requiring 14-16+
Red Cross Clubs are student-led volunteer groups that let you take action on real humanitarian issues. You can join a local club or start one at your school with a few students and a faculty advisor. Every club works with a regional Red Cross office and follows its guidelines. As a member, you’ll plan and lead projects like blood drives, disaster relief efforts, and health education campaigns. You might help install smoke alarms in high-risk areas, promote CPR and first aid training, or organize fundraisers for global Red Cross missions. You can look for volunteer positions here.
4 ,UCLA Health Volunteen Summer Program
Location: Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free
Program dates: The program generally begins sometime in June. You must complete 50 hours of service by August 31
Application deadline: Applications typically open in January and close in early spring
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years of age
The University of California’s Health Volunteen Summer Program provides volunteer opportunities for high school students at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. As a participant, you will work in one of three areas – patient transport, wayfinding, and floater. Patient transport volunteers help patients with transfers and the discharge process. Wayfinders provide wheelchair and escort assistance and floaters help deliver newspapers and patient mail, although these assignments can shift depending on what the hospital needs.
5. Children’s National Summer Volunteer Program
Location: Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC
Cost: Free
Program dates: June 23 – August 1
Application deadline: Not specified. Applications generally open in February
Eligibility: Must be 15 years of age or older by the start of the program, and must be a current high school student who is returning to high school in the fall
Children’s National Hospital’s Summer Volunteer Program allows high school students to join their volunteer services team for 6 weeks and gain work experience in the hospital. During the program, you will spend a total of 75 service hours, engaging in duties like customer service, taking rounds with the hospitality cart, and more. You will also attend guest speakers and workshops led by healthcare professionals, take part in social activities, and work on a group project with your peers.
6. University of Miami Health System (UHealth) Summer High School Student Volunteer Program
Location: Multiple options available
Cost: Free
Program dates: June 16 – August 1
Application deadline: April 1
Eligibility: high school students who are at least 16 year of age
The University of Miami Health System accepts high school as medical volunteers during the summer months. You can meet new people, learn new skills, and understand what it’s like to work in healthcare. As a volunteer, you will assist with administrative tasks, restocking supplies, customer support, patrolling hallways and lobbies, and helping patients with transportation needs. In the process, you will interact with patients, visitors, and staff members from various departments.
7. University of Virginia Health Summer Teen Program
Location: UVA Health Prince William Medical Center, Manassas, VA
Cost: Free. You will need to buy a $20 uniform shirt for the program
Program dates: Session 1 from June 16-27, Session 2 from July 7-18, Session 3 from July 21 – August 1
Application deadline: April 11
Eligibility: High school students who have or will finish their sophomore year by summer and have a B grade point average
The University of Virginia’s Summer Teen Volunteer Program allows high school students to volunteer for two weeks at the UVA Health Prince William Medical Center. As a participant, you will contribute to the center’s work in areas like emergency department, surgical services, materials management, registration, guest services, physical therapy, and the gift shop. Depending on the service area, your work will include duties like transporting patients, restocking materials, making up stretchers, and delivering equipment. At the end of the program, you will receive a certificate of completion.
8. University of Washington’s Volunteer Program
Location: UW Medical Center, Montlake campus and Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA
Cost: Free
Program dates: UW Medical Center’s program is limited to the summer while Harborview allows volunteers to work for up to 6 months
Application deadline: Applications for UW Medical Center open in the spring. Rolling applications for Harborview.
Eligibility: All high school students. Those applying to Harborview Medical Center need to be at least 16 years of age
University of Washington Volunteer Program lets you volunteer at two major hospitals: UW Medical Center and Harborview Medical Center. If you’re in high school, the UW Medical Center offers a Summer Teen Program specifically for students. You’ll take on real responsibilities like transporting patients, delivering specimens, assisting with inpatient and outpatient services, and staffing the information desk. You’ll also interact with medical staff and get a firsthand look at how a hospital operates day to day.
9. Texas Health Resources Junior Volunteer Program
Location: There are 18 different locations available
Cost: Free
Program dates: Varies for each location. 32–128 hours over 6–10 weeks
Application deadline: Varies for each location
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years of age
Texas Health Resources Junior Volunteer Program places high school students in volunteer roles across 18 hospitals in Texas. You will assist with patient care and hospital operations. Most tasks involve clerical support such as filing, organizing materials, and managing paperwork. Some roles include limited patient interaction under staff supervision. You will observe hospital workflows and interact with healthcare professionals in departments like nursing, radiology, and administration.
10. Children’s Hospital Colorado’s Teen Volunteer Opportunities
Location: Children’s Hospital Colorado
Cost: Free. The program offers the chance to win a $2,500 scholarship
Program dates: Varies by available locations
Application deadline: Applications accepted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Students between the ages of 13-18
Children’s Hospital Colorado offers summer and full-year volunteer opportunities to teenage students. As a volunteer, you will provide assistance where it is needed, addressing concerns in different departments. You will engage in duties like organizing a craft project for children or staffing a fundraising event. You will also interact with doctors, nurses, therapists, as well as non-medical staff such as finance, IT, or HR professionals. Outstanding volunteers even get the chance to win a scholarship.
11. University of Kansas Health System’s High School Summer Volunteer Program
Location: Multiple locations in Kansas City, KS
Cost: Free
Program dates: Not specified
Application deadline: March 14
Eligibility: All high school students
The University of Kansas’s High School Summer Volunteer Program allows high school students to experience the functioning of a medical center. The program provides exposure and hands-on experience in both the clinical and non-clinical sides of the health system. In the process, you will also learn about the various career pathways in medicine. Aside from experiencing the daily life of healthcare professionals, previous students have also had the chance to see a radio frequency ablation and hold a human brain.
12. Children’s Hospital Los Angeles High School Summer Volunteer Program
Location: Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free
Program dates: June 16 – August 1
Application deadline: February 10
Eligibility: High school students between the ages of 15-17 who have completed their freshmen year
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles’s High School Summer Volunteer Program allows high school students to volunteer for 105 service hours in a period of 7 weeks. Volunteers provide assistance to patients, staff, and families. You will engage in activities like escorting patients, carrying out administrative tasks, and greeting patients upon entry to the hospital. Although, the program does point out that contact with inpatients will be limited so you should keep that in mind before applying. You can go through the FAQs here.
13. Cedars Sinai’s High School Student Volunteer Program
Location: Multiple locations available
Cost: Free. Although, you will need to buy a $30 volunteer jacket
Program dates: Winter/Spring Session from January 27 – April 13, Accelerated Summer Session from June 16 – July 20, Fall Session from October 6 – December 15
Application deadline: December 5 for the Winter/Spring Session, April 4 for the Summer Session, August 7 for the Fall Session
Eligibility: High school students between the ages of 14-18
Cedars Sinai is a non-profit academic healthcare organization that provides high school students with volunteer positions at medical centers across Los Angeles. While volunteering, you will learn how medical institutes operate and network with hospital staff and healthcare professionals. You can expect to be involved in duties like scanning, data entry, answering phone calls, delivering amenities, and helping orient new patients. You will need to complete 40 service hours for the summer session and 20 hours for the winter and fall sessions.
14. USC Arcadia Hospital’s High School Student Volunteers
Location: USC Arcadia Hospital, Arcadia, CA
Cost: Free
Program dates: : 100 hours over summer. Specific dates not mentioned
Application deadline: June 1
Eligibility: High school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who are at least 14 years of age
USC Arcadia Hospital High School Volunteer Program requires students to complete at least 100 hours of service. You will begin with in-service training that covers hospital policies, safety procedures, and role expectations. After training, you will be placed in one of several service areas. These include the registration desk, emergency room, surgery waiting room, hospitality, marketing, event support, and pet therapy. Each area offers exposure to different parts of hospital operations and patient services. You will interact with staff, assist with non-clinical tasks, and observe how departments coordinate care.
15. Houston Methodist’s Caring Teen Volunteer Program
Location: Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX
Cost: Free
Program dates: Summer session dates have not been specified. The Fall session runs from September 22 – November 23
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years of age
Houston Methodist Caring Teen Volunteer Program offers high school students a structured hospital-based experience. You will complete 36 service hours by supporting administrative services, customer support, and clinical department operations. Tasks may include organizing materials, assisting with patient flow, and helping staff with non-clinical duties. You will observe hospital routines and interact with healthcare professionals in various departments.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source – American Red Cross