I'm about to volunteer at a hospital, what can I expect for my interview?

[doctor in da makin]

The director at the volunteering dpt is a bit strict, I've heard. Not sure if she conducts the interviews, though.

And not sure about you guys, but I had to get 2 letters of reference, hand in my resume and application, get blood tested, AND participate in an interview.

I will also have to get tested for TB and attend orientation before officially starting. Seems like alot of stuff, to be honest.

I'm not sure why, but I feel kind of nervous for the interview. What can I expect to be asked?

Another thing I'm worried about is that I don't know what my volunteering role will be or when I am supposed to pick.

I guess the interview will be the time to talk about whether I want to push wheelchairs, be in the ER, or deliver flowers, etc?

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[Apollo1]

And not sure about you guys, but I had to get 2 letters of reference, hand in my resume and application, get blood tested, AND participate in an interview.

I will also have to get tested for TB and attend orientation before officially starting. Seems like alot of stuff, to be honest.

Seems pretty standard. Mine was the same except no generic blood test, and "references" were put down on the application and contacted by the coordinator.

 

[doctor in da makin]

Seems pretty standard. Mine was the same except no generic blood test, and "references" were put down on the application and contacted by the coordinator.

When did you choose your role?

 

[Bones 2020]

I selected which departments I wanted ahead of time, gave them my availability, then post interview they told me what was open. I ended up picking the ED because its a level 1 trauma center, and I'm always busy. I hate standing around.

Interview was like any other interview anywhere. "why volunteer, why here, what experience do you have, etc"

 

[Apollo1]

When did you choose your role?

I waited +/- 6 months for a position in the ED (community hospital). Initially the only opening they had was in the gift shop, and even though I could have padded some hours I felt that position was not advantageous. In retrospect, I made the right choice; I've seen some pretty cool things come through the doors and built a rapport with some of the clinical staff (which helps when you flirt back ).

 

[hv92]

IMHO. Hospital volunteering is a waste of time.

 

[doctor in da makin]

IMHO. Hospital volunteering is a waste of time.

It depends on what you do. Would you rather have 40 hours shadowing or 200 hours volunteering?

 

[doctor in da makin]

IMHO. Hospital volunteering is a waste of time.

I selected which departments I wanted ahead of time, gave them my availability, then post interview they told me what was open. I ended up picking the ED because its a level 1 trauma center, and I'm always busy. I hate standing around.

Interview was like any other interview anywhere. "why volunteer, why here, what experience do you have, etc"

Seems pretty standard. Mine was the same except no generic blood test, and "references" were put down on the application and contacted by the coordinator.

Would you guys recommend volunteering for 4 hours a week or working part-time for 10-14 hours a week? I can only choose one.

 

[ChrisMack390]

In my experience actually getting in for an interview has always been the bottleneck. After that the interview has always been mostly a pleasant exchange to make sure you are clean/normalish/not a complete degenerate.

Blood and TB and references and all that are normal. They are essentially letting a random unlicensed person have the run of the hospital, there are bases that need to be covered.

 

[doctor in da makin]

In my experience actually getting in for an interview has always been the bottleneck. After that the interview has always been mostly a pleasant exchange to make sure you are clean/normalish/not a complete degenerate.

Blood and TB and references and all that are normal. They are essentially letting a random unlicensed person have the run of the hospital, there are bases that need to be covered.

Could you also touch on my other question as well?

 

[MightBeACylon439]

1. If you can do the same **** you'd do volunteering but get paid for it...get paid life is expensive.
2. If you get the opportunity work your F#$%ing ass off!!! Leave your phone at home and don't even think of getting on a computer to look at FB or any other time-wasting material. Always be looking for something to do, always volunteer and try to forge as good of a reputation as you can.
3. I would do shadowing...the whole point of all that BS is to get a feel for what your life would be like as a physician. If you want to volunteer do something that would speak to you more as a human being (personally I did some local sports groups and the special olympics) if hospital volunteering speaks to you...then do it.

 

[Bones 2020]

Would you guys recommend volunteering for 4 hours a week or working part-time for 10-14 hours a week? I can only choose one.

Why? Are you in school full time?

 

[doctor in da makin]

Why? Are you in school full time?

Yes.

And I'm also doing MCAT preparation.

 

[doctor in da makin]

1. If you can do the same **** you'd do volunteering but get paid for it...get paid life is expensive.
2. If you get the opportunity work your F#$%ing ass off!!! Leave your phone at home and don't even think of getting on a computer to look at FB or any other time-wasting material. Always be looking for something to do, always volunteer and try to forge as good of a reputation as you can.
3. I would do shadowing...the whole point of all that BS is to get a feel for what your life would be like as a physician. If you want to volunteer do something that would speak to you more as a human being (personally I did some local sports groups and the special olympics) if hospital volunteering speaks to you...then do it.

I mean med schools love to see experience in the medical field and I can't do that being a delivery boy.

I agree with you that shadowing is the best way to gain experience, though.

 

[Bones 2020]

Yes.

And I'm also doing MCAT preparation.

I would put off volunteering until after the MCAT. A good score and grades are much more important than getting volunteer hours

 

[samac]

I had 0 hours volunteering in a hospital. None.
I had ~70 hours shadowing primary care and ER.
I had countless hours volunteering elsewhere.
As long as you have the exposure to medicine it shouldn't be a problem. If you want to work, work! It won't hurt you as long as you do have shadowing hours and other volunteering hours. If you want to volunteer there, do that!

 

[doctor in da makin]

I would put off volunteering until after the MCAT. A good score and grades are much more important than getting volunteer hours

I'll be done with my summer class in a month, leaving me almost a month of just MCAT studying and volunteering.

The volunteering is only 4 hours a week anyway, I'd be probably watching TV during those hours anyway, so why not be productive instead?

 

[FutureDrB]

IMHO. Hospital volunteering is a waste of time.

Respectfully, I couldn't disagree more. I've done all kinds of volunteer work and shadowing...my volunteer experience in the hospital was unmatched. Granted, my experience may be a bit skewed since I completed it at a teaching hospital, so they were extremely open to allowing you to get your hands dirty.

I'm not sure why, but I feel kind of nervous for the interview. What can I expect to be asked?

Another thing I'm worried about is that I don't know what my volunteering role will be or when I am supposed to pick.

I guess the interview will be the time to talk about whether I want to push wheelchairs, be in the ER, or deliver flowers, etc?

No reason to be nervous. Tell them why you're there and that you are willing to do whatever they need. You might even ask how much direct contact is allowed. As in, how much can you directly assist within hospital guidelines.

When I did hospital volunteering, there was an application, a brief interview, and a TB test. Then we all had to go to a 2-hour training session over hospital policies, HIPAA, etc.

I requested to be a transporter since it had the most direct patient contact.

Continuing from my response above...

I couldn't believe what they allowed me to do as a volunteer. Literally within the first 5 minutes of being there the first day, I was assisting in the OR with a patient who had been in a vehicle accident, shattered hip, etc. (I'll never forget that guys screams. Well, until the guy came in who was in diabetic sugar shock.)

I worked in the burn unit, that was intense. Worked in the ED and ICU. Helped bag countless deceased patients and delivered them to the morgue. (My buddy had one explode on him.) Shadowed physicians as they did rounds. (And witnessed the ridiculous amount of bureaucracy involved in the hospital.) And of course, transported patients and medications throughout the facility.

I was only suppose to do 4 hours a day, but they usually let me stay for 6 or so. Nothing else I've done has given me such insight into the "real" business of medicine. Every time someone asks what they should do first if they are interested in medicine, either on this forum or in person, I tell them to go volunteer in the hospital so you know what you're really getting into.

 

[doctor in da makin]

Respectfully, I couldn't disagree more. I've done all kinds of volunteer work and shadowing...my volunteer experience in the hospital was unmatched. Granted, my experience may be a bit skewed since I completed it at a teaching hospital, so they were extremely open to allowing you to get your hands dirty.



No reason to be nervous. Tell them why you're there and that you are willing to do whatever they need. You might even ask how much direct contact is allowed. As in, how much can you directly assist within hospital guidelines.

When I did hospital volunteering, there was an application, a brief interview, and a TB test. Then we all had to go to a 2-hour training session over hospital policies, HIPAA, etc.

I requested to be a transporter since it had the most direct patient contact.

Continuing from my response above...

I couldn't believe what they allowed me to do as a volunteer. Literally within the first 5 minutes of being there the first day, I was assisting in the OR with a patient who had been in a vehicle accident, shattered hip, etc. (I'll never forget that guys screams. Well, until the guy came in who was in diabetic sugar shock.)

I worked in the burn unit, that was intense. Worked in the ED and ICU. Helped bag countless deceased patients and delivered them to the morgue. (My buddy had one explode on him.) Shadowed physicians as they did rounds. (And witnessed the ridiculous amount of bureaucracy involved in the hospital.) And of course, transported patients and medications throughout the facility.

I was only suppose to do 4 hours a day, but they usually let me stay for 6 or so. Nothing else I've done has given me such insight into the "real" business of medicine. Every time someone asks what they should do first if they are interested in medicine, either on this forum or in person, I tell them to go volunteer in the hospital so you know what you're really getting into.

Wow, on the first day?!!

Did you have any special credentials that allowed you to do all this, especially on Day 1?

You got to see it all, my friend, must've been a truly enriching experience.

 

[FutureDrB]

Wow, on the first day?!!

Did you have any special credentials that allowed you to do all this, especially on Day 1?

You got to see it all, my friend, must've been a truly enriching experience.

Nope, no special certs. or credentials.

I mean I wasn't performing surgery or anything, but when I initially signed up, I thought, "great, I'll probably be delivering paperwork for nurses, changing bedsheets, and rubbing old peoples' shoulders...not the case at all. Haha

As I stated, my experience may be the exception to the rule, as I'm not sure to what extent other hospitals allow you get involved.

 

[Bones 2020]

Nope, no special certs. or credentials.

I mean I wasn't performing surgery or anything, but when I initially signed up, I thought, "great, I'll probably be delivering paperwork for nurses, changing bedsheets, and rubbing old peoples' shoulders...not the case at all. Haha

As I stated, my experience may be the exception to the rule, as I'm not sure to what extent other hospitals allow you get involved.

Definitely depends on the staff. Technically I should not be, but the HUC in the ED lets me go up to the helipad for life flights. Great view of the city on nice days.

Sometimes, though only when we're really busy (as in one time we had 4 traumas arrive at the same time), I get to help with small things like rolling the patient, setting up an inflatable warming blanket, etc.

Best advice is always keep gloves in your pocket, and speak up to say you're willing to help with something.

 

[mathnerd88]

Typically, in emergency situations, volunteers are not allowed to be there (for liability reasons.)

In the ER, volunteers usually do patient escort for the families and also help giving information to family members as they enter the hospital.

In my days in the ER as a volunteer, I did patient transport, moving patients from Urgent or Acute Care to Radiology/Imaging. You don't really interact with the patient, because usually the patient is sleeping or too stressed to have a conversation with you.

Plus, I volunteered at one of the top hospitals in the world. (Massachusetts General Hospital)

 

[Bones 2020]

Typically, in emergency situations, volunteers are not allowed to be there (for liability reasons.)

In the ER, volunteers usually do patient escort for the families and also help giving information to family members as they enter the hospital.

In my days in the ER as a volunteer, I did patient transport, moving patients from Urgent or Acute Care to Radiology/Imaging. You don't really interact with the patient, because usually the patient is sleeping or too stressed to have a conversation with you.

Plus, I volunteered at one of the top hospitals in the world. (Massachusetts General Hospital)

Just goes to show it depends on the hospital/staff. I'm at a level 1 trauma center and teaching hospital.

 

[mathnerd88]

Just goes to show it depends on the hospital/staff. I'm at a level 1 trauma center and teaching hospital.

Same here. Lol. Harvard Medical School's teaching hospital.

The problem is liability. If you're handling something you're not trained to do nor have certification for and you screw up, then the hospital can likely be sued for millions of dollars.

You can even be sued independently as a civil lawsuit. That's why it is always a sticky situation when you start doing things you're not supposed to do nor have any certification for. Just keep in mind the risk you might be taking.

 

[FutureDrB]

Just goes to show it depends on the hospital/staff. I'm at a level 1 trauma center and teaching hospital.

As in your case and mine, it looks like maybe there is a trend with leniency at teaching hospitals when it comes to what they allow you to do.

The problem is liability. If you're handling something you're not trained to do nor have certification for and you screw up, then the hospital can likely be sued for millions of dollars.

Very true. But, I was never left alone when doing anything "clinical". There was always a nurse or doctor beside me. Only thing I did alone was transport patients to and fro. Even had an escort when getting medications.

Little side story... one of the things I'll always remember too from my hospital volunteering was the amount of safeguards that go into getting patient meds. I've always wondered if other hospitals follow similar protocol.

Transporter verifies orders on patient chart. Goes to pharmacy, give orders to pharmacist through the window. Pharmacist verifies orders. Goes and gets meds. Verifies meds/numbers against orders. Keeps meds. Hands you back paperwork. Reads the med bottle aloud again while you verify the numbers. Hands you meds. You read the bottle aloud against the orders. Pharmacist signs off.

Amazes me that there are still mix-ups on occasion.

 

[Bones 2020]

As in your case and mine, it looks like maybe there is a trend with leniency at teaching hospitals when it comes to what they allow you to do.




Very true. But, I was never left alone when doing anything "clinical". There was always a nurse or doctor beside me. Only thing I did alone was transport patients to and fro. Even had an escort when getting medications.

Little side story... one of the things I'll always remember too from my hospital volunteering was the amount of safeguards that go into getting patient meds. I've always wondered if other hospitals follow similar protocol.

Transporter verifies orders on patient chart. Goes to pharmacy, give orders to pharmacist through the window. Pharmacist verifies orders. Goes and gets meds. Verifies meds/numbers against orders. Keeps meds. Hands you back paperwork. Reads the med bottle aloud again while you verify the numbers. Hands you meds. You read the bottle aloud against the orders. Pharmacist signs off.

Amazes me that there are still mix-ups on occasion.

Another difference, I am not allowed to transport patients unless they have been discharged, outside of the department unless accompanied by transport or a nurse. If something happens with the patient, I am not trained to respond.

 

[hv92]

It depends on what you do. Would you rather have 40 hours shadowing or 200 hours volunteering?

Depends. I'd do the 40 hours of shadowing rather than sitting at some desk telling people where the bathroom is or picking up the phone and giving directions or transferring people to different departments. It depends on what your hospital wants you to do. The hospitals in my area don't want any unnecessary liability so they give you really small tasks.

 

[Grace184]

I got a full body cavity search and a gyno exam for free...but it wasn't like the one my doctor gives me....


Wait a minute!

 

[Grace184]

No really... I had to show them my vaccinations were up to date, my cpr card, plus the usual, why do you want to volunteer questions, and a background check

 

[mathnerd88]

No really... I had to show them my vaccinations were up to date, my cpr card, plus the usual, why do you want to volunteer questions, and a background check

You needed to be certified for CPR for volunteering? That's intense.