For students aiming to immerse themselves in the medical world, volunteer organizations on campus offer invaluable firsthand experiences. Among these, the UCLA Care Extender Program stands out, providing a unique gateway to clinical healthcare settings. Based at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica, this program boasts over 1,000 volunteers across approximately 50 departments. It attracts students from diverse institutions throughout California, including California State University, Northridge, Cal Poly Pomona, and UC Irvine, as noted by William Narinyan, the program’s Public Relations Coordinator.
The core mission of Care Extenders is to offer volunteers a comprehensive view of healthcare from a clinical standpoint. Participants gain practical experience working alongside physicians and nurses while engaging directly with patients. This exposure is crucial for individuals considering careers in medicine and related fields.
What Does Volunteering in the Clinical Care Extender Program Entail?
Prospective volunteers should be at least 18 years of age and possess a genuine desire to interact with patients within various hospital departments. The program employs a selective application process, including interviews, to ensure a good fit. Upon acceptance, volunteers are assigned to departments based on their preferences and availability, with options ranging from radiology to oncology and pediatrics. Assignments are made on a first-come, first-served basis, emphasizing the program’s popularity and structured approach.
Diamond Nguyen, the Quality Control Coordinator for Care Extenders, brings a unique perspective to the program, having previously volunteered in both radiology and pediatrics. She emphasizes how the program broadened her understanding of hospital operations beyond her initial experience in optometry. Exposure to areas like the emergency room provided her with insights she wouldn’t have gained otherwise.
“The program is specifically designed to provide individuals like myself with direct experience in healthcare environments. Opportunities to be exposed to a hospital setting in this way are not widely available,” Nguyen explained. “You acquire knowledge and understanding that simply isn’t accessible without being directly involved in a hospital environment.”
A Year of Clinical Immersion and Skill Development
The Care Extender Program is structured around a commitment to learning and development. Volunteers are required to complete four rotations in different departments before graduating. Each rotation spans three months, culminating in a year-long immersion into the clinical setting. While a year marks the standard program duration, many volunteers choose to extend their involvement, highlighting the program’s lasting impact and the value participants find in continued service.
William Narinyan, drawing from his experience in the program, underscores the acquisition of tangible medical skills. Volunteers learn to monitor patients’ vital signs, understand and implement critical safety protocols, and recognize early warning signs of serious medical events like strokes. These skills are not only valuable for personal development but also enhance the support volunteers can provide to healthcare teams.
Jade Elliott, a program alumna who graduated in the spring, points out the essential, often unscripted, learning that comes from direct patient interaction. Volunteering prepares individuals for the realities of patient care, which can differ significantly from portrayals in media. A crucial aspect of the experience is developing the ability to interact with patients facing serious illnesses or end-of-life situations.
“Once, right before my shift, a young child passed away,” Elliott recounted. “It was incredibly difficult because I had to take the family’s belongings to their car while they were grieving.” This experience underscores the emotional depth and real-world challenges volunteers may encounter, fostering empathy and resilience.
The Program’s Success and Future Expansion
Diamond Nguyen believes the Care Extender Program effectively achieves its primary goal: equipping volunteers with new skills while emphasizing meaningful patient interaction. This patient-centered approach is a distinguishing feature of the program.
“When considering volunteering in a hospital, it’s easy to focus on the roles of doctors and nurses, but it’s important to remember that many patients are facing challenging circumstances and would rather be anywhere else,” Elliott noted. “It’s incredibly rewarding to connect with them, to sit and talk. It truly means a lot to them.”
Looking ahead, the Care Extender Program is actively seeking to expand its reach to new departments, including a gastrointestinal laboratory and an eye institute. Additionally, plans are underway to introduce a shadowing unit, offering volunteers the opportunity to directly observe doctors and nurses in their daily routines. This expansion reflects the program’s commitment to providing diverse and enriching experiences that thoroughly prepare volunteers for future healthcare careers. The ongoing interaction between staff and volunteers is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted roles within a hospital environment.
