Independent Student Volunteers

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.

To participate in this volunteer program, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age 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 the Academic Affairs Department of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

*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 you become an Independent Student Volunteer?

*  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 below  and indicate your Spring availability upon contacting the individuals that have been verified through Volunteer Services as potential mentors. 

Step 1: Determine if you would like to gain clinical or research exposure

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

• If you are interested in a clinical experience please view the department listings here, http://www.cedars-sinai.edu/Patients/Programs-and-Services/
• If your interest  lies in research you can visit Research and Education at http://www.cedars-sinai.edu/Research-and-Education/Research-Labs/

*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 select "Mentor Inquiry Form" tab from the left navigation bar on this page. This form will allow you to provide specific names of individuals for review.  We will then verify the individuals eligibility to act as a potential mentor. If the individuals named are eligible to act as potential mentors, we will provide you with their contact information in order for you to inquire about a potential placement within 5-7 business days. 

*NOTE: Eligibility of mentor does not determine accommodation and placement as a volunteer.

Step 4: E-mail your potential mentor to inquire about a potential volunteer opportunity, including your personal statement and current resume/CV and availability to volunteer. Please keep in mind when emailing that you must attend a mandatory orientation and comply with all program requirements prior to your first day. As this program has open enrollment many students plan their potential experience around availability of orientations.

2012 Independent Student Orientation Schedule

*NOTE: Mentors may only respond if they are able to accommodate you into their clinical area or labs. Out of respect for our busy staff we ask that you do not continually e-mail as they may simply be unable to accommodate you.

What to do once you have secured placement with a potential mentor?

Once you have received positive feedback from a potential mentor, e-mail us at ISVolunteerProgram@cshs.org, we will then provide you with further instructions.  Please allow 5-7 business days for a reply.

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.

Contact Information

 If you have any additional questions, please contact us at ISVolunteerProgram@cshs.org or (310) 423-8044. Please allow 5-7 business days for a reply.

Office Hours - Don't have an appointment?

To better assist those students who do not have a scheduled appointment, we welcome you to visit during Independent Student Office Hours:

• Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays      9am until 11am
• Tuesdays* and Thursdays                   1pm until 3pm

*Please note that on days of orientation, office hours will be cancelled.