UCLA Health Volunteen Summer Program: Opportunities and Details

Volunteering at UCLA Health offers individuals invaluable support to medical staff and enhances the patient experience. This experience not only allows individuals to make a tangible difference in the lives of others but also fosters personal growth, expands professional networks, and cultivates a deeper understanding of the complexities and rewards of the healthcare field. Relevant work experience, shadowing, volunteering and community service can help you gain and then demonstrate these qualities in your application. UCLA Health and David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA have identified community engagement as a core mission during the strategic planning process - of equal importance as education, research, and clinic care. To truly improve lives, students must leave the confines of the campus and connect directly with people in their communities. Opportunities to engage with our communities are available to everyone, including students.

Types of Volunteer Programs

UCLA Health offers several volunteer programs tailored to different interests and skill sets. These include roles within clinical and non-clinical settings.

Clinical UCLA Health Sciences (CUHS) Volunteer Program

The CUHS program processes onboarding and clearances for invited volunteers and UCLA SRP students supporting clinical research, quality improvement, administrative projects, School of Dentistry assignments, and approved formalized shadowing programs. Note: Volunteers invited by Ophthalmology, Pediatrics, or Radiology must be processed through this program, even for non-clinical assignments.

A volunteer role is classified as Clinical if the position involves any of the following activities:

Direct contact or interaction with patients or human research subjects
Access to or handling of identifiable, clinical, or medical information
Performing duties in clinical settings such as hospitals, clinics, or waiting areas

Non-Clinical UCLA Health Sciences (NCUHS) Volunteer Program

The NCUHS program processes onboarding and clearances for invited volunteers and UCLA SRP students supporting non-clinical research, such as laboratory work or literature reviews, and non-clinical administrative projects.

Formalized and Approved Shadowing Programs

Per policy, UCLA Health shadowing is strictly limited to formal, approved UCLA Health/DGSOM shadowing programs. Volunteers and students-including UCLA SRP students-may not shadow health professionals outside of these programs, even with direct permission, and all shadowing must take place during designated, assigned shifts. The formalized and approved shadowing programs are processed through the Volunteer Office. However, each program has its own application, recruitment, and clearance process coordinated by program supervisors, and shadowing participation is separate from volunteer roles.

Specific Volunteer Opportunities

Within these programs, specific roles are available, offering diverse experiences.

Patient Transport

Patient Transport assists in the Patient Transport office at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. They are responsible for discharging patients, assisting in transfers, and helping the patient transport staff. This is a great opportunity for students who would like to see all areas of the hospital and get clinical exposure. Volunteers' hours are from Monday-Sunday anytime between 8 am to 8 pm. Shifts are available seven days a week. As Patient Transport volunteers are responsible for discharging patients, assisting in transfers, and helping the patient transport staff, this is a great opportunity for students to see all areas of the hospital and get clinical exposure.

Wayfinding

Wayfinders are student ambassadors. Wayfinders are stationed at hospital entrances and greet each visitor/patient along with providing wheelchair and escort assistance. Wayfinders must be friendly, proactive, and have good communication and customer service skills. The assignments can change each shift depending on needs of department. 2-hour shifts are available Monday-Friday between 8:00am - 4:00pm.

Errand/Escort

Warmly greet all patients, visitors, staff and volunteers and assist with wayfinding. Stock isolation carts on all nursing floors. Assist in transferring and discharging patients. Delivery of items to patients and/or specific locations. Complete non-clinical tasks for various departments, when called-upon and as needed.

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Eligibility and Requirements

To be eligible for the UCLA Health Volunteen program, applicants must meet specific criteria.

Age Requirements

Minimum age 18 years old (16 years old for high school students). Must be a college/university student.

Commitment

Agreement to volunteer for 100 hours; commitment of four hours per week. A minimum of 100 hours, volunteering four hours a week. Volunteers will design a schedule that best fits his or her availability.

Identification

A valid, government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport, military ID)

Health Requirements

Proof of Varicella, MMR, QuantiFERON-TB GOLD blood test and be fully vaccinated and boosted for COVID-19. Proof of Varicella, MMR, QuantiFERON-TB GOLD blood test and have the most recent COVID vaccine. Individuals must either have the most recent COVID vaccine OR Complete a declination in volunteer portal. Please click here for detailed information on health requirements. All applicants will be required to upload a medical clearance form. UCLA Health has very specific immunization requirements in order to volunteer.

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Visa Status

Visa Status: Policies regarding non-immigrant visa holders wishing to volunteer are under review at this time. Currently, Volunteer Services is only able to process full-time UCLA matriculating students on F1 Visas.

Application Process

The application process involves several key steps.

Information Session

Step 1: Sign-up for a MANDATORY Information Session. Only invited individuals who attend the MANDATORY Information Session will receive an application.

2026 High School Student Volunteer Information Session: The Summer 2026 Volunteer Information Session will take place on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. Only interested high school students must attend the mandatory Information Session to be able to apply to our program. A Zoom Meeting invite will be sent out once you have completed the registration. Summer 2026 Sign up Link: Information Session Registration
2026 College Student Volunteer Information Session: The Fall 2026 Volunteer Information Session will take place in August of 2026. All interested students must attend the mandatory Information Session to be able to apply to our program.

Only those who attend the MANDATORY Information Session will receive an application.

Additional Opportunities and Programs

Besides the core volunteer roles, UCLA Health is involved in other community-focused initiatives.

Care Harbor Volunteer

Care Harbor sponsors one of the largest free clinics in the country.

Allied Healthcare Careers Program

Allied Healthcare Careers Program - Pipeline program that teaches students about opportunities in healthcare that offer promising career growth in areas facing critical workforce shortages.

The Importance of Volunteering

Volunteering at UCLA Health offers opportunities to provide invaluable support to medical staff and enhance the patient experience. This experience not only allows individuals to make a tangible difference in the lives of others but also fosters personal growth, expands professional networks, and cultivates a deeper understanding of the complexities and rewards of the healthcare field. Furthermore, service-orientation, knowledge of key issues in health care, and a clear understanding of the rewards and demands of the profession are all important building blocks of a strong application. If you plan to pursue a career in a health profession it is important to gain experience that will allow you to make an informed decision and pick the right profession for you.

Tips for Volunteers:

Be punctual every day.
Keep a journal of reflections on what you see every day.

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