Independent Student Volunteers

What is the Independent Student Program?  

The Independent Student (IS) Volunteer Program is designed for collegiate-aged students who are seeking a specific role in either a clinical or research capacity. For students seeking an experience in a specialized field of medicine, this program allows you an opportunity to contact a specific physician and/or researcher to secure a volunteer position in their area of interest. This program is open throughout the year and is co-managed by Academic Affairs.

*NOTE: If you are a student interested in shadowing a nurse or volunteering in the Emergency Department, please apply through the Adult Volunteer Program.

Who is eligible to apply?

To participate in this volunteer program, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age AND
• Typically a collegiate student, in pre or post graduate studies AND
• Must be legally able to work in the United States* AND
• Cannot be receiving a monetary reimbursement from ANY source relating to your work, including a stipend. If you are receiving any financial compensation, please contact Elsa Aguilar in Academic Affairs via email at Elsa.Aguilar@cshs.org

*NOTE: If you are an international student or under the age of 18 and/or in high school, please contact us prior to proceeding with the application process.

What is your enrollment period?

Eligible applicants may submit a mentor inquiry form to inquire about mentor eligibility for a clinical or research opportunity. If you are interested in a clinical shadowing or research opportunity during the summer, we recommend that you start seeking placement as early as February/March as this is a very competitive program and fills quickly. Mentor inquiry forms will only be processed from September through April. 

How do I apply to become an Independent Student?

To become an Independent Student, we will ask that you take the initiative and explore opportunities to shadow in a clinical setting or participate in lab-based or clinical research. Through this program you have the unique opportunity to reach out to various clinicians and researchers to determine if they would be able to have you join them as an Independent Student.  

• Please note that our department does not hold listings of those mentors who are seeking students or departments who are able to accommodate you

To get started we will ask that you follow the steps below:

*Please read ALL of the information provided below prior to starting the process 

Step 1: Determine if you would like to like clinical observation or clinical/laboratory research exposure. Please follow the appropriate link below to explore the areas that you would like to become involved in. Once you have a few names of potential mentors we will ask that you submit a “Mentor Inquiry Form” with those names and department.

Step 2: Mentor Inquiry Form has ended for Summer 2013. If you are inquiring about Fall placement please bookmark this page and refer back during the month of September. 

Feel free to browse through the departments of the Medical Center below: 

What if I have secured a mentor?

If you have received written confirmation from your secured mentor email ISVolunteerProgram@cshs.org and let us know who you secured placement with. We will then guide you through the application process. 

Application & Mandatory Orientation

Applications are only released to those who have secured a mentor and have emailed us to let us know. All students that have secured placement must attend a mandatory orientation after submission of application, please view the schedule for the remainder of the year to be aware of the upcoming dates.

2013 Independent Student Orientation & Radiation/Laboratory Safety Training Schedule

What If I Have Questions?

If you have additional questions, please contact us at ISVolunteerProgram@cshs.org (please allow 5-7 business days for a reply) or by phone (310) 423-8044.  Also, for interested, in process or current students, remember to take advantage of the Independent Student Program Office Hours.  To better assist those who do not have a scheduled appointment, we welcome you to visit:

Independent Student Office Hours

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays     9am until 11am

        Tuesdays* and Thursdays                 1pm until 3pm

*Please keep in mind that Office Hours are cancelled on days of orientation

You are not permitted to begin a volunteer opportunity until you have been fully processed by the Volunteer Services Department and obtained a CSMC badge.