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 experience. 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.

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.  Our department does not hold listings of those mentors who are seeking students or departments who are able to accommodate you.  As such, 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.  

To get started, we will ask that you follow a few simple steps...

Step 1: Clinical or research?  Determine your ideal role

Step 2: After you have made this decision, the next logical question is in which department would you like to gain that experience? Begin researching department staff and faculty, using the resources provided below:

*NOTE: To find individual names within each department, select "Our Expert Team" tab from the left navigation pane on the specific department homepage. 

Step 3: Once you have narrowed down your interest to three or four potential mentors, or if you have already secured a mentor here at Cedars-Sinai, please submit a "Mentor Inquiry Form" by clicking on the tab from the left navigation bar on this page. This form will allow you to provide specific names of individuals for review to determine if we are able to place you with a potential mentor.

Step 4: After submitting your "Mentor Inquiry Form" you will receive a "Mentor Inquiry and Informational" email, which will provide additional information, including contact information for those individuals who are *eligible to act as mentors.  This email is typically received within 7 business days of your online submission.  Please read this email carefully, as it will outline the additional steps required to continue the process of becoming an Independent Student, including how to apply to become an official Independent Student after an eligible mentor has agreed to accept you as an Independent Student Volunteer to their department.  

*Please keep in mind that eligibility of mentor does not determine accommodation and placement as an Independent Student

When Can I Apply?

Enrollment for the Independent Student Program is ongoing.  Most students use the 2012 Independent Student Orientation Schedule (Rev) as a guideline of when they should reach out to explore the opportunity to seek placement and apply.  For students seeking a role for Summer 2012,  placement typically begins as early as February/March.  For those seeking Spring placement please follow the steps above and indicate your Spring availability upon contacting the individuals that have been verified through Volunteer Services as potential mentors.

What If I Have Questions?

If you have additional questions, please contact us at ISVolunteerProgram@cshs.org or (310) 423-8044.  Due to the huge volume of summer applicants, please allow 5-7 business days for a reply.  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.

 

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