volunteer work?

[lsgpra]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I am applying to Columbia's post-bac for the spring start and was wondering what are my best options in terms of volunteering at a hospital or clinic before that. I don't have any substantial health-related educational background, so what can I do to start gaining some practical experience? Thanks!

 

[Beautifulchild]

I pretty much asked this same question and haven't gotten any replies. I guess nobody is volunteering these days?? 😀

 

[Mr. Adventure]

I got started after I contacted my local Red Cross. They held training for the things volunteers do in an E.R. setting and got me set up with a hospital. YMCA/YWCA may also be a good starting point.

You could also barge into an OR and say "I'm here, who needs my help?" 😀

 

[doogie1000]

Most hospitals have established volunteer programs. Check out the website for any hospital and there should be information. These programs are filled with pre-meds looking for experience. I did this before applying to postbac and found it v. helpful.

 

[doogie1000]

here's the link to the volunteer program for Memorial Sloan-Kettering:

http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/1288.cfm.

here it is for MGH:

http://www.mgh.harvard.edu/volunteers/new_getting.htm

etc.

just get started volunteering somewhere. doesnt really matter where or what.

 

[docryder]

I am applying to Columbia's post-bac for the spring start and was wondering what are my best options in terms of volunteering at a hospital or clinic before that. I don't have any substantial health-related educational background, so what can I do to start gaining some practical experience? Thanks!

I just started a volunteer program at my local hospital. I called them up and they had me come in for an interview and placed me where they needed help.

 

[Beautifulchild]

Thanks everyone 🙂

 

[Phoenix.]

I went to the website for a hospital near me, and they had a page about volunteering, and a contact. I filled out an application, had an interview, orientation, and started volunteering in the ER last month. I'm happy to have the position, but it can be a bit boring since I can't do much. Basically, I just deliver lab printouts throughout the ER. Otherwise, I was told I can also offer patients blankets and put new sheets on gurnees when they're empty. Let's just say that some nights I'm sitting there twiddling my thumbs with nothing to do. It kills me, because I'd love to help out more (I offer, but people just smile and shake their heads). Is this most people's experience with ER volunteering? I guess it varies by hospital....

I was thinking about seeing if I took an EKG class they'd let me do EKGs when I volunteer. Hrm.

 

[scrubsRcomfy]

I went to the website for a hospital near me, and they had a page about volunteering, and a contact. I filled out an application, had an interview, orientation, and started volunteering in the ER last month. I'm happy to have the position, but it can be a bit boring since I can't do much. Basically, I just deliver lab printouts throughout the ER. Otherwise, I was told I can also offer patients blankets and put new sheets on gurnees when they're empty. Let's just say that some nights I'm sitting there twiddling my thumbs with nothing to do. It kills me, because I'd love to help out more (I offer, but people just smile and shake their heads). Is this most people's experience with ER volunteering? I guess it varies by hospital....

I was thinking about seeing if I took an EKG class they'd let me do EKGs when I volunteer. Hrm.

i dun know if they would let you do ekgs as a volunteer... wouldn't that fall under technician work? it sucks cuz i know the hospitals want to give volunteers more to do, but a lot of the time they can't b/c of employment regulations and such.

i volunteered in the ER and surgical post-op ward at local hospitals before. it was booo-ring. i think iwent through quite a few books while volunteering.

however, i volunteered at local suburban facilities. they weren't small per se, but i think that they have less patient volume, so there's just less work to go around. I was/am planning on volunteering at one of boston's major hospitals (if i find the time), and the volunteer coordinator said that there are certain volunteer positions that will be much busier than others. So yes, in conclusion, i think major hospitals will keep you busier. it's a lot of the same thing whereever you are, but you'll feel more useful (i hope).

 

[Phoenix.]

Believe it or not, I am at a busy downtown Chicago hospital. I think it just depends on the night, and I have a slow night. I have seen the place JUMPING Monday nights, which supposedly is the busiest night of the week, so if anyone has a choice of which night to volunteer, I'd suggest that night.

While my work is pretty limited and there isn't much of it, I wouldn't say I'm bored by what I'm doing, I just feel guilty about reading or doing something non-volunteer related during the down time, so I get bored because I do NOTHING rather than busy myself with non-volunteer work. Perhaps I should just bring a book and not feel bad about it.

Btw, it was a pretty shocking night the other night. While I was out in the waiting room updating a chart, a patient being interviewed by a nurse pulled a knife on her. There was quite a flurry of cops and security guards to restrain the man, but there was a minute or two of silence when everyone froze before anyone responded to her cry for help. Luckily, the nurse was amazingly brave and was able to restrain him for a moment or two before security got there. But I was shocked that there were no metal detectors. Oddly, just the night before I had watched an episode of ER where a doctor (Carter) staged an ER walkout until they installed metal detectors (in a downtown Chicago hospital) because a patient pulled a gun on a nurse. Then again, upon asking a secretary last night about how frequently that happens, she said that it was very rare, and that nothing like that has happened in a long time. I hope she's right. Anyway, sorry for the digression. Just wanted to share.

 

[RogueRules]

Something else you might consider, especially since you are not starting your post-bacc until spring, is to take an EMT course this fall and then volunteer with an ambulance corps during your post-bacc. Columbia has it's own volunteer corps (though it might only be for undergrads, I'm not sure), and there is also Central Park Medical Unit in the city. If you happen to live in Brooklyn, there are plenty of volunteer units there as well.

EMTing is great experience and gets you comfortable and good at taking patient histories, assessing medical and trauma patients and doing some basic treatment. I found that it has been a really nice background to have as I make my way through med school. It's definitely more exciting than just volunteering in a hospital where you hand out food trays and/or shadow docs around. It's also good for an adrenaline rush every now and then! 🙂

I am applying to Columbia's post-bac for the spring start and was wondering what are my best options in terms of volunteering at a hospital or clinic before that. I don't have any substantial health-related educational background, so what can I do to start gaining some practical experience? Thanks!

 

[RogueRules]

p.s. There are a variety of options for EMT courses. Some CUNY schools including John Jay offer EMT classes, or you can take it through a private company such as Emergency Care Programs (they often hold a class up at 103 and Amsterdam - so, in the columbia area).

Good luck!

Something else you might consider, especially since you are not starting your post-bacc until spring, is to take an EMT course this fall and then volunteer with an ambulance corps during your post-bacc. Columbia has it's own volunteer corps (though it might only be for undergrads, I'm not sure), and there is also Central Park Medical Unit in the city. If you happen to live in Brooklyn, there are plenty of volunteer units there as well.

EMTing is great experience and gets you comfortable and good at taking patient histories, assessing medical and trauma patients and doing some basic treatment. I found that it has been a really nice background to have as I make my way through med school. It's definitely more exciting than just volunteering in a hospital where you hand out food trays and/or shadow docs around. It's also good for an adrenaline rush every now and then! 🙂

 

[lsgpra]

Thank you so much everyone for your help! I have been MIA for a while, but I appreciate all the suggestions.

 

[Hindiana_Jones]

Believe it or not, I am at a busy downtown Chicago hospital. I think it just depends on the night, and I have a slow night. I have seen the place JUMPING Monday nights, which supposedly is the busiest night of the week, so if anyone has a choice of which night to volunteer, I'd suggest that night.

While my work is pretty limited and there isn't much of it, I wouldn't say I'm bored by what I'm doing, I just feel guilty about reading or doing something non-volunteer related during the down time, so I get bored because I do NOTHING rather than busy myself with non-volunteer work. Perhaps I should just bring a book and not feel bad about it.

Btw, it was a pretty shocking night the other night. While I was out in the waiting room updating a chart, a patient being interviewed by a nurse pulled a knife on her. There was quite a flurry of cops and security guards to restrain the man, but there was a minute or two of silence when everyone froze before anyone responded to her cry for help. Luckily, the nurse was amazingly brave and was able to restrain him for a moment or two before security got there. But I was shocked that there were no metal detectors. Oddly, just the night before I had watched an episode of ER where a doctor (Carter) staged an ER walkout until they installed metal detectors (in a downtown Chicago hospital) because a patient pulled a gun on a nurse. Then again, upon asking a secretary last night about how frequently that happens, she said that it was very rare, and that nothing like that has happened in a long time. I hope she's right. Anyway, sorry for the digression. Just wanted to share.

What Chicago Hospital do you volunteer at? I volunteer at UIC, but I've shadowed doctor's at Stroger (trauma) and at Illniois Messonic.Messonic has metal detectors.