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Finding a Clinical Volunteer Position As you prepare for a career in the health professions, it is important to gain some experience working with patients in a clinical setting. This is extremely beneficial for your own professional development, so that you know for sure that you will enjoy working as doctor. Moreover, when medical schools review applications, they will look for indications that you are truly enthusiastic about medicine and have sought out opportunities to learn more about the field. Most volunteer positions require only a minimal time commitment—as little as 3 hours a week—so it should be possible for you to get involved while juggling a difficult academic course load.
Explore: Hospitals For clinical experience, many students choose to volunteer at one of the local hospitals. The volunteer office at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania has a pre-medical volunteer program through which students can complete two volunteer rotations in different parts of the hospital. Other students choose to volunteer at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Opportunities there typically involve organizing play activities for patients. Although not strictly “medical,” this can provide a wonderful chance to observe the “human side” of medicine and see the ways in which pediatric patients and their families cope with disease and illness. To volunteer at CHOP, contact the Department of Volunteer Services at 215-590-1093 or email volunteers@email.chop.edu. Also near campus is the Philadelphia VA Medical Center. Students may serve as clinical volunteers on a weekly basis or participate in a pre-medical volunteer program beginning in January 2010. For more information, contact Chief of Voluntary Service Melissa Heinlein at 215-823-5868 or email melissa.heinlein@va.gov. Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, near campus, at 38th and Market, also has volunteer programs, including one for college students. In Center City, Pennsylvania Hospital at 8th and Spruce offers opportunities to volunteer appropriate for pre-medical and post-bac students within a variety of hospital departments. Thomas Jefferson University Hospital is located at 11th and Chestnut and also has volunteer opportunities. In Camden, New Jersey, Cooper University Hospital offers an Academic Associate Program for pre-medical students that involves clinical research in the emergency department.
American Red Cross of Southeast Pennsylvania Children’s Crisis Treatment Center Focus First (vision screening) JeffHOPE LIFE (Living Independently for Elders) Center Mazzoni Center (LGBT health center) MERT (Penn's Medical Emergency Response Team)
Penn Center for Rehabilitation and Care Penn Language Link (Medical Interpretation Services) Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania Puentes de Salud Wissahickon Hospice United Community Clinic (UCC) Other health-related opportunities Active Minds (peer mental health support & education) Alzheimer’s Association, Delaware Valley Chapter HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy MANNA (Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutrition Alliance) Penn DART (The Drug & Alcohol Resource Team) Philadelphia FIGHT (Comprehensive AIDS services) The Wellness Community (cancer support and education)
© Career Services, University of Pennsylvania. Not to be copied or distributed without permission.
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