Many students underestimate the value of volunteering when applying to a professional school in the health area. However, medical schools are looking for evidence of students’ commitment and knowledge of the health field. Typically, this is demonstrated through work experience gained from volunteering at hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes. In fact, most medical schools will expect applicants to have volunteered or worked in some capacity at a health facility.

There are many important benefits that students gain from volunteering in a hospital setting. The most important is learning how you as an individual respond to interacting with patients. Physicians deal with patient treatment on a daily, therefore, it is imperative that future physicians feel comfortable in responding to patients’ pain, injuries, and the sight of blood. In addition, students will observe how individual physicians respond to patients and observe those qualities they find most desirable and those that they can emulate.

Once you have been accepted to work as a volunteer, you should realize the important commitment you are entering. As a student volunteer, you must organize your time in such a way that studying for exams and extracurricular activities do not interfere with your commitment to the hospital. Remember, dependability is a must because the hospital is counting on you. Those students who have been responsible and committed volunteers can receive valuable letters of recommendation from site supervisors.

In addition to the hospitals listed below, students may want to contact community-based clinics and nursing homes to inquire about other volunteer opportunities:

USC Arcadia Hospital

300 West Huntington Drive Arcadia, CA 91007 | (626) 574-3646

USC Arcadia Hospital has an extensive volunteer program that includes more than 600 volunteers to support patients and staff in a variety of ways. Volunteers are assigned to more than 40 different service areas and departments where duties range from patient interaction to administrative tasks, depending on the volunteer's strengths and interests. The hospital staff strive to provide hope, comfort, and convenience to the patients and their families, and the volunteers play an important role in this endeavor.

Requirements

• Excellent customer service skills, the ability to communicate compassion and comfort.
• Physical and skill requirements for the desired volunteer program
• Dependability
• Attendance of Orientation and occasional mandatory meetings
• Availability for one four-hour shift per week. To maintain active status, volunteers must work a minimum of eight hours per month.
• A Social Security Number is required for a background check.
• All hospital volunteers must have a two-step Tuberculosis (TB) skin test or chest x-ray if positive.
• A deposit is required and will be returned after 150 hours of service is completed.
• Letters of recommendation and verification of hours are available after 150 hours of service.
• Must be fully vaccinated from COVID-19

Volunteer Application Form

San Gabriel Valley Medical Center

438 West Las Tunas Drive San Gabriel, CA 91776 | (626) 300-7525​

SGVMC appreciates the many individuals who donate their time and talent to assist patients, visitors, and employees of SGVMC. They welcome adult volunteers (18 and over) year-round, and junior volunteers (under 18) for the summer program.

Volunteer Application Form

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

4650 Sunset Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90027 | (323) 361-2317

Volunteers at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles provide special services to patients and families that contribute daily to the hospital’s mission to create hope and build healthier futures. Volunteers work directly with patients through a variety of opportunities such as: Escorting patients to hospital appointments; assisting in hospital playrooms and sometimes at the bedside and reading to children (will require additional training).

Applicants must be:

• 18 years of age to work directly with patients
• For High School Volunteer Prospects (15-17 years of age), please visit the High School Summer Volunteer Program for more information.
• In good physical and mental health
• Able to communicate well in English and receive all instructions in English.
• Commit to 2 years, consisting of a minimum of 100 service hours per year.
• Commit to at least two (4 hour) shifts per month.
• Most volunteers commit to a weekly shift: Monday-Friday between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and to be finished by 4:30 p.m.

Volunteer Application Form

Huntington Hospital 

100 West California Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91109 | (626) 397-5208

Huntington Hospital has over 1,000 volunteers who provide service to over 100 different departments and programs at the hospital. To maintain active status.

• Volunteers must contribute a minimum of eight hours per month.
• Adult volunteers who are not currently enrolled in school are asked to commit to 100 hours of service per year.
• College Students are asked to commit to 50 hours of service.
• High School Students are asked to commit to 40 hours of service. High school students must have completed 9th grade prior to applying.

Volunteer Application Form

Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center 

4867 Sunset Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90027 | (323) 783-8109 | Volunteer Services Department 2nd Floor (2301)

Applications are always accepted for Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center. Interviews are conducted monthly except for two blackout dates (July/December).

Requirements:

• Commit to a minimum of 200 hours over a period of 1 year.
• Provide proof of Covid Vaccination with Booster
• Be able to communicate well in English (second language skills are a plus)
• Willing to be subject to a background check.

Volunteer Application Form

Los Angeles County/ USC Hospital 

2051 Marengo St, Los Angeles, CA 90033 | (323) 409-6945

The LAC+USC Department of Patient Volunteer Services provides volunteer opportunities matched to your schedule and interests. Volunteering at LAC+USC Medical Center provides an exceptional opportunity to take an active role in your community, build skills, make a difference, and explore career opportunities. Countless volunteers have gone on to pursue careers in the healthcare field as a result of their volunteer experience.

Volunteer Application Form

Alhambra Hospital Medical Center

100 S. Raymond Avenue Alhambra, CA 91801 | (626) 570-1606, Ext. 3228

Volunteering for High School and College Students and adults:
Volunteers provide support to the staff throughout the various departments in the hospital. They assist with clerical and computer tasks; information organization; patient group activities; visitor reception and guide services; and nursing station maintenance, as well as other responsibilities.

Patient Ambassadors:
Patient Ambassadors are dedicated to elevating the comfort of our patients by providing emotional support. Bilingual (English / Mandarin / Chinese) Ambassadors serve as non-medical interpreters for patients and their families. They also see to the conveniences of in-patient rooms, making sure that items are within reach and work properly; that meals and drinks are delivered and cleared in a timely manner; that patients have sufficient bedding and personal supplies; and that patients have friendly company, if they want some. As with all volunteers, however, patient ambassadors are not involved in direct patient care.

Volunteer Application Form

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Volunteering for Other Health Professions

Pre-Dental, Pre-Optometry, and Pre-Physical Therapy students should consider volunteering in a dental, optometry, or physical therapy office. Interested students should speak to local dentists, optometrists, or physical therapists with whom they feel compatible and inquire about volunteer possibilities and the chance to observe them at work. You can also make an appointment at the PCC Freeman Center for assistance connecting with professionals in your area of interest.

Pre-Pharmacy students may contact the hospitals listed in this handbook and inquire about their specific interest in volunteering in the hospital pharmacy. Students might also consider the possibility of volunteering in a retail (store-based) pharmacy such as CVS and Rite Aid.

Pre-Veterinary students should consider volunteering at a veterinary hospital, local zoo, or humane society.