Whether you want to enroll in medical school or just help people, volunteering at a hospital is a great way to do community service.
Steps
Step 1. Make a list of hospitals in your area that you are willing to go to on a regular basis
- Make use of resources like Google Maps, the telephone directory and your knowledge of the area.
- Don't ignore the smaller hospitals and clinics.
- Search the internet for a volunteer service phone number, or make a note of the hospital's main phone number.
Step 2. Prioritize the list according to your preferences
Prioritize based on your interests and location
Step 3. Call hospitals in order of preference for information on volunteering
- Try to call between 9 and 11 am, as this is the time you are most likely to find someone available.
- Indicate your interest in volunteering, your age and why you volunteer, and be prepared to answer questions about your specific interests.
- Find out what steps you can take to volunteer, including administrative procedures, guidance courses, TB and drug screening, and additional training.
- Write down everything you need to do as you are told, along with whatever date, time, name and phone number you might need.
Step 4. Complete the administrative paperwork for volunteering
- Fill in any required application form.
- If necessary, get a lab assignment.
- Bring application forms, documents, exam results, etc. to the volunteer office.
Step 5. Complete your volunteer training
Depending on the type of volunteer work you would like to do, you may need to complete a small training course or a larger one. Try to decide as soon as possible which orientation or training courses you want to take, so as not to lose the enthusiasm
Step 6. Get a volunteer assignment
After completing the training and administrative paperwork, make sure you receive an assignment from the volunteer office
Step 7. Start volunteering
Advice
- Prepare for an interview with questions about your motivations for volunteering, what you'd like to get out of it, and what area of the hospital you're interested in.
- Although many places have an email address for their volunteer services, it is usually quicker and easier to use the phone.
