How  Do I Become a Patient Family-Centered Care Volunteer?

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital developed the Patient Family-Centered Care Volunteer Program. The goal of this program is to continue learning new ways to meet the needs of patients and families. We hope to gain insight and input from patients and their caregivers on how to make the overall care experience better.

Volunteer qualities and abilities

PFCC volunteers should have these qualities:

• Positive attitude
• Enthusiasm about the St. Jude mission of excellence in patient care, education, research, and patient family-centered care
• Recent experience with receiving care at St. Jude or having a child receive care at St. Jude
• Respect for diversity
• Commitment to being a volunteer

PFCC volunteers should have the ability to:

• Keep information private
• Share experiences and insights in a balanced and objective way
• Listen to and reflect on differing points of view
• Work together with others

Volunteer requirements

St. Jude welcomes volunteer applications from current and former St. Jude patients. Family members and friends of current and former patients who were directly involved in their care may also apply. St. Jude staff, patients, families, and friends can recommend people to serve as volunteers. All volunteers must be 18 years of age or older. 

Recruiting volunteers

Health care providers at St. Jude are asked to recommend patients and families they believe will be effective volunteers. Patients and their family members can also apply directly to the PFCC team.

Apply to Volunteer

Selection process

The PFCC team will review applications and notify applicants of the results.

Volunteers who are accepted go through orientation. This includes education on the St. Jude mission and values as well as the principles of patient family-centered care (PFCC). Education and training related to specific roles may be ongoing for St. Jude employees and PFCC volunteers.

If you are interested in becoming a PFCC volunteer, please complete the application. Once we receive it, the PFCC team will contact you with next steps.

Learn more

To learn more, email pfcc@stjude.org or call 901-595-2277.