.png)
Hospital Opportunities
Why devote time to a local hospital?
Devoting time to shadowing or volunteering at a local hospital is a powerful way to gain real-world experience in the healthcare field. By shadowing, you can closely observe medical professionals in various specialties, gaining insights into the daily responsibilities and challenges they face, which helps you refine your own career aspirations. Volunteering allows you to play an active role in the hospital environment, where you can develop essential communication and interpersonal skills while making a tangible difference in the lives of patients. Both activities are unpaid, yet provide invaluable experiences.
Here Is More Info on Getting Involved with Local Hosptials
Local hospitals can offer an array of experiences that not only allow emersion into the healthcare delivery system, but also a way to give back to one's community.
Finding Local Hospitals
The First Step
To find local hospitals where you can shadow or volunteer, start by researching medical facilities in your area online. You can use hospital directories, Google Maps, or websites like the American Hospital Directory to locate hospitals and healthcare centers nearby.
​
Here is the most known government resource for finding local hospitals:
https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/?redirect=true&providerType=Hospital
Shadowing a physician or other healthcare professional is an invaluable experience that offers a firsthand look into the daily responsibilities and challenges of a medical career. It allows you to observe patient interactions, medical procedures, and the decision-making process, giving you a deeper understanding of what a career in healthcare truly entails. To get involved in shadowing, start by reaching out to local hospitals or healthcare facilities and inquire about their shadowing programs. If you have a connection with a doctor, such as your family physician or a specialist you know, consider asking them directly if you can shadow them for a few days.
Shadowing A Physician
Hospital Opportunity
Volunteering
Hospital Opportunities
Volunteering at a hospital is a valuable way to gain firsthand experience in a healthcare environment while making a meaningful impact on patients and staff. As a volunteer, you can assist with various tasks, from supporting patient care to helping with administrative duties, all of which contribute to the smooth operation of the hospital. To get involved, start by contacting the volunteer services department at your local hospital or checking their website for available opportunities. Be prepared to complete an application, attend an orientation, and undergo any necessary background checks or training.
Becoming a leader at a hospital as a high school student can be achieved by joining youth committees or boards, or by initiating external projects that benefit the hospital community. These leadership roles allow you to contribute to important decisions, plan events, and advocate for patient care improvements, all while gaining valuable experience in healthcare management. To get involved, research hospitals that offer youth leadership programs or propose your own initiative, such as organizing a fundraiser or health awareness campaign. Reaching out to the hospital’s volunteer or community relations department is a great first step.
Leadership
Hospital Opportunities
Create Your Own Club!
If you're looking to start a healthcare-related club at your school, there are many creative options. A Pre-Med Club could help students explore medical careers through guest speakers and medical school prep. A Health and Wellness Club might focus on promoting mental and physical health within the school, organizing workshops on nutrition, stress management, and fitness. You could also establish a Public Health Club to educate peers about global and local health issues, or an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Club to provide CPR and first aid training. These clubs offer unique opportunities to explore different areas of healthcare and make a meaningful impact. Furthermore, the possibilities for potential clubs are endless, especially if no pre-med clubs have been established at your school.