Premed Volunteer Program
As a partner of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine's Premed Mentoring Program, the Volunteer Services Department of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania has established, and administers a Premed Volunteer Program.
College students, post-baccalaureate students and other candidates who are changing their career focus, and who are taking classes leading to a career in medicine, may apply to the Premed Volunteer Program at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
This program is structured to provide interested applicants who are at all levels of education the opportunity to gain valuable hospital experience and exposure to medicine.
As candidates for this program plan to include volunteer service at HUP in their busy schedules, each person should remember the importance of their commitment to serve, as well as the opportunities they have to observe medicine. A successful volunteer program incorporates service with learning. Equally important is your consideration for participation in the Premedical Volunteer Program early.
Don't wait until your last year in school to begin your volunteer experience in a hospital. The application, orientation and training process can take several months before you can start to provide volunteer service and accomplish the program's service requirements. Medical Schools are scrutinizing applications for letters of recommendations from healthcare organizations that outline the medical school applicant's sincere commitment to medicine.
This is demonstrated by the program participants' attendance (reliability) and performance (interest in learning and in helping patients). Only those participants who demonstrate their commitment to medicine through their reliability and performance will receive a letter of recommendation to endorse their medical school application.
Outlined below are the training requirements and 2 levels of the Premed Volunteer Program at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Please review the program guidelines before completing an application to participate and volunteer in this program.
Introduction and Training
Students who have successfully completed orientation must commit to the established training guidelines prior to being assigned to an inpatient unit or department in the hospital. This required training serves two purposes – volunteers learn how to navigate throughout the hospital and are taught the technique of safely transporting patients in wheelchairs and assisting in transporting patients on stretchers. Eight hours of introductory training is required after you have attended orientation. The hours devoted to training become part of the volunteers' overall service record, however, are not included in Level I or Level II Volunteer service hours.
Departmental orientations are facilitated by the supervisors of assigned departments with a purpose of acquainting volunteers with departmental policies and procedures and the expectations of volunteers.
Level I
Premed Volunteers will be assigned to an Inpatient Nursing Unit in the hospital, and will complete the minimum of 48 hours, 4 hours per week over a 12 week period of time. Other Level I volunteer guidelines are:
- All preliminary training must be complete
- Volunteers will follow the job criteria listed on the Nursing Unit Volunteer Position Description
- Volunteer attendance must be flawless, with the exception of Winter or Spring Breaks, illness, or family emergency
- Performance evaluations will be provided to the Volunteer Services Department by staff members in assigned departments
- Outstanding departmental feedback and attendance are essential for premed volunteers to progress to Level II
Level II
Premed Volunteers will be given their choice of a volunteer assignment that has been agreed upon by the Coordinator of Volunteer Services and the Manager or supervisor of the selected department. In return for an additional 52 hours of volunteer service over 13 consecutive weeks, Premed Volunteers will be given opportunities to observe medical procedures and patient care in hospital locations such as the Emergency Department, Peri-operative Departments, Labor and Delivery, and MRI. The same service guidelines as in Level 1 apply to Level II participation.
Recommendation Letters
A letter of recommendation to chosen medical schools will be written for Premed Volunteers upon their request after they successfully complete Level II.
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