2 answers
Camille
Student
Lake Stevens, Washington
1
Question
Asked
535 views
Where are local volunteer opportunities?
Hi! I am a 16 year old girl in the Everett area, I am willing to commute to Seattle or within 45 minutes, I am looking to shadow/volunteer at a hospital, any tips or links I can go to? I wanted to do it soon and not during the summer as I am pursuing other opportunities.
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2 answers
Dr H
128
Answers
Islamabad, Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Hey Camille! 👋
First off, major props to you for being proactive and looking to dive into healthcare experience early! Volunteering and shadowing are awesome ways to learn the ropes, meet cool people, and figure out if you want to be the next Dr. House or just get super comfy with a stethoscope. 🩺 So, let’s break this down with some fun and practical ideas to get you started in the Everett/Seattle area!
1. Contact Local Hospitals Directly 🏥
Hospitals love people who want to help, and lucky for you, they have volunteer programs that might still be open even during the school year (no, they’re not just a summer thing). You might want to give these places a ring:
Providence Regional Medical Center Everett
Swedish Medical Center (Seattle)
University of Washington Medical Center
Call 'em up or check their websites, and say you want to shadow or volunteer! Hospitals are pretty used to people asking, and you'll likely get some guidance on how to get involved. Pro tip: Be polite, professional, and mention how excited you are to help! Trust me, that makes all the difference.
2. Shadow a Doctor or Medical Professional 👩⚕️👨⚕️
Okay, so this is your ultimate VIP pass into healthcare. Doctors and specialists might be open to letting you shadow them, especially if you show that you’re really interested. It's like finding backstage passes to a concert, but instead of rock stars, you're hanging out with real-life heroes!
LinkedIn is your friend: Find doctors near you and reach out politely. Keep it short, sweet, and professional.
Or just call up local medical practices and ask if you can shadow or volunteer. Trust me, it’s worth asking—most people are flattered when you show initiative!
3. Volunteer Organizations to Explore 🤝
Let’s be real—everyone loves a good volunteering opportunity. Some places even offer non-summer programs for high schoolers! Check these out:
Seattle Children’s Hospital: They’ve got a big volunteer program that sometimes runs year-round.
Hospice of the Northwest: If you’re into end-of-life care and want to make an emotional impact, this could be an amazing opportunity.
American Red Cross: Not hospital-based, but you'll gain skills in health and emergency response! Plus, you might get to wear a cool red cross vest.
4. Virtual Opportunities 🌐
Okay, I know you’re thinking, “I want to be in the action, not just on a computer,” but hear me out. You can gain tons of knowledge, plus save the time and effort of commuting! Here are some ways to virtually boost your healthcare knowledge:
Virtual Shadowing: Some platforms let you shadow doctors or healthcare professionals virtually. It's like a behind-the-scenes pass to ORs (without the blood and scrubs).
Online Medical Volunteering: Some organizations offer remote health education, tutoring, or outreach, like volunteering for health organizations or assisting with online mental health resources.
Free Online Courses: Websites like Coursera, edX, or Khan Academy offer tons of free health-related courses. You can learn about everything from anatomy to medical ethics without even changing out of your PJs. 💻
5. Check Out Local Volunteer Websites 🌐
Here are some websites where you can find virtual and in-person opportunities:
VolunteerMatch.org: Search by location and work type. You’ll find healthcare-related gigs in a snap!
All for Good: Another great site to browse healthcare volunteer options near you.
Idealist.org: Fantastic for finding nonprofit opportunities, including health and community care work.
6. Speak to Your School’s Career Counselor 🎓
Your school counselor could be a superpower in helping you find opportunities! They might have connections to local hospitals or healthcare programs. Plus, they know which opportunities are great for students like you who want to get started early. Just show up ready to impress with your ambition!
7. Network Through Family and Friends 👥
This is your secret weapon. Ask your family and friends if they know anyone working in healthcare. You’d be surprised how many people have connections—whether it’s a nurse, a doctor, or even someone who works at a health clinic. They can help you find shadowing or volunteering opportunities that aren’t on the public radar.
8. Think Beyond Hospitals 🏫
You don’t have to be confined to hospitals to gain experience. Here are some other places where you can volunteer:
Nursing homes or senior care centers
Physical therapy clinics
Public health organizations
Mental health facilities
These places offer incredible insights into different medical fields, and volunteering here could give you an edge in learning more about patient care.
9. Stay Persistent! 💪
Not every opportunity will come immediately, so stay persistent and don't be discouraged! Keep following up (but don't be that person who calls every day 😅), and always keep an open mind. The more you push forward, the more likely you are to land something amazing!
Good luck, Camille! 🌟 You’re on the right track, and this effort will pay off in a huge way. Plus, you’ll probably have some fun stories to tell later—like the time you convinced a doctor to let you shadow them with your sheer enthusiasm (and a bit of charm). Keep rocking it! 👏🎉
First off, major props to you for being proactive and looking to dive into healthcare experience early! Volunteering and shadowing are awesome ways to learn the ropes, meet cool people, and figure out if you want to be the next Dr. House or just get super comfy with a stethoscope. 🩺 So, let’s break this down with some fun and practical ideas to get you started in the Everett/Seattle area!
1. Contact Local Hospitals Directly 🏥
Hospitals love people who want to help, and lucky for you, they have volunteer programs that might still be open even during the school year (no, they’re not just a summer thing). You might want to give these places a ring:
Providence Regional Medical Center Everett
Swedish Medical Center (Seattle)
University of Washington Medical Center
Call 'em up or check their websites, and say you want to shadow or volunteer! Hospitals are pretty used to people asking, and you'll likely get some guidance on how to get involved. Pro tip: Be polite, professional, and mention how excited you are to help! Trust me, that makes all the difference.
2. Shadow a Doctor or Medical Professional 👩⚕️👨⚕️
Okay, so this is your ultimate VIP pass into healthcare. Doctors and specialists might be open to letting you shadow them, especially if you show that you’re really interested. It's like finding backstage passes to a concert, but instead of rock stars, you're hanging out with real-life heroes!
LinkedIn is your friend: Find doctors near you and reach out politely. Keep it short, sweet, and professional.
Or just call up local medical practices and ask if you can shadow or volunteer. Trust me, it’s worth asking—most people are flattered when you show initiative!
3. Volunteer Organizations to Explore 🤝
Let’s be real—everyone loves a good volunteering opportunity. Some places even offer non-summer programs for high schoolers! Check these out:
Seattle Children’s Hospital: They’ve got a big volunteer program that sometimes runs year-round.
Hospice of the Northwest: If you’re into end-of-life care and want to make an emotional impact, this could be an amazing opportunity.
American Red Cross: Not hospital-based, but you'll gain skills in health and emergency response! Plus, you might get to wear a cool red cross vest.
4. Virtual Opportunities 🌐
Okay, I know you’re thinking, “I want to be in the action, not just on a computer,” but hear me out. You can gain tons of knowledge, plus save the time and effort of commuting! Here are some ways to virtually boost your healthcare knowledge:
Virtual Shadowing: Some platforms let you shadow doctors or healthcare professionals virtually. It's like a behind-the-scenes pass to ORs (without the blood and scrubs).
Online Medical Volunteering: Some organizations offer remote health education, tutoring, or outreach, like volunteering for health organizations or assisting with online mental health resources.
Free Online Courses: Websites like Coursera, edX, or Khan Academy offer tons of free health-related courses. You can learn about everything from anatomy to medical ethics without even changing out of your PJs. 💻
5. Check Out Local Volunteer Websites 🌐
Here are some websites where you can find virtual and in-person opportunities:
VolunteerMatch.org: Search by location and work type. You’ll find healthcare-related gigs in a snap!
All for Good: Another great site to browse healthcare volunteer options near you.
Idealist.org: Fantastic for finding nonprofit opportunities, including health and community care work.
6. Speak to Your School’s Career Counselor 🎓
Your school counselor could be a superpower in helping you find opportunities! They might have connections to local hospitals or healthcare programs. Plus, they know which opportunities are great for students like you who want to get started early. Just show up ready to impress with your ambition!
7. Network Through Family and Friends 👥
This is your secret weapon. Ask your family and friends if they know anyone working in healthcare. You’d be surprised how many people have connections—whether it’s a nurse, a doctor, or even someone who works at a health clinic. They can help you find shadowing or volunteering opportunities that aren’t on the public radar.
8. Think Beyond Hospitals 🏫
You don’t have to be confined to hospitals to gain experience. Here are some other places where you can volunteer:
Nursing homes or senior care centers
Physical therapy clinics
Public health organizations
Mental health facilities
These places offer incredible insights into different medical fields, and volunteering here could give you an edge in learning more about patient care.
9. Stay Persistent! 💪
Not every opportunity will come immediately, so stay persistent and don't be discouraged! Keep following up (but don't be that person who calls every day 😅), and always keep an open mind. The more you push forward, the more likely you are to land something amazing!
Good luck, Camille! 🌟 You’re on the right track, and this effort will pay off in a huge way. Plus, you’ll probably have some fun stories to tell later—like the time you convinced a doctor to let you shadow them with your sheer enthusiasm (and a bit of charm). Keep rocking it! 👏🎉
Brett Schlifstein
Anesthesiologist
27
Answers
Pittsboro, North Carolina
Updated
Brett’s Answer
Most hospitals have a volunteer program. I'd check the website of the hospital closest to where you live. If that doesn't work out, you can expand your radius.
Brett Schlifstein, M.D.
Anesthesia Director
ECU Health Roanoke Chowan Hospital
Brett Schlifstein, M.D.
Anesthesia Director
ECU Health Roanoke Chowan Hospital