Pre-Health Volunteer Program (PHVP)

* This program is open only to Duke University undergraduate students.*

*As of 9/4, interviews for this program are completely full. The following information only applies to those who have already signed up for an interview. Please do not come to the Searle Center for interviews or to volunteer training unless you have already signed up for and confirmed an interview with our office.*

The Pre-Health Volunteer Program (PHVP), formerly known as the Health Careers Exploration Program (HCEP), allows students to volunteer at Duke Hospital with the goal of being of service to the hospital, our patients, and our families. It is a very rewarding program and a unique opportunity to provide volunteer service to our patients.

Outstanding volunteer service to patients and families is very important, whether it is in providing directions to patients and families or through easing long wait times in patient waiting areas.

Students applying to this program must volunteer two hours every week for the entire academic year. Students will be evaluated during volunteering, so weekly attendance and demonstrated interest in your volunteer assignment are extremely important.

This program is very selective and often receives many more applications than the program can accept. It is an exciting opportunity for students interested in volunteering at Duke Hospital!

Students in the PHVP program have special mentoring opportunities with student leaders (PALS), who communicate weekly with PHVP students, and mentor and encourage PHVP students while they volunteer. There are many advantages for pre-health students to volunteer with PHVP verses being a "regular volunteer."

Advantages of the PHVP Program

FAQ’s for Pre-Health Students

What are the important dates for Pre-Health Students?

Pre-Health Students will have one interview day on Tuesday, September 11, from 8:30am-3:30pm in the Searle Center at Duke Hospital. This is the only day available for the pre-health volunteer program so please plan to make time available on this day to interview. Each interview is 30 minutes in length.

Alternate interview dates will not be available. Students who are not able to interview on this date may apply after September 30 as a regular Duke Hospital (non Pre-Health) volunteer, with no guarantee of particular positions available.

Many programs will have filled their positions at the Pre-Health Interview Day on Tuesday, September 11.

Students will be notified within 48 hours of the interview if they are selected for the PHVP program.

Students who are selected must attend required Hospital Volunteer Training and Orientation on Saturday, September 15 at Duke Hospital North from 8:30am-12:30pm. Alternate Orientation dates are not available.

Students must attend the required Orientation on this date in order to be part of the PHVP program.

Students are able to apply and interview for the PHVP program once per year (in September).All interested students will want to make a note of the above dates for the upcoming academic year.

How do I sign up for interviews?

The Duke Hospital Volunteer Services Office will accept interview sign-ups by calling Shaun Sanders at 681-5031 and signing up for your interview.

Students will also find a pre-health program (PHVP) application below. Students should complete the application and bring it with them to their scheduled interview. Interviews are conducted in groups of 4-6 students per time slot.

Please sign up for interviews early. Once all of the interview slots are filled, the program is full and additional interviews will not be available.

How many interviews may I sign up for?

Each student may sign up for a maximum of 3 interviews in different departments. Please make a copy of your application and availability sheet for each interview you sign up for. Students will only be selected for one volunteer opportunity and will not serve in multiple areas at a time as a volunteer.

What will I do as a volunteer?

Volunteers at Duke Hospital make a contribution to ensuring an outstanding experience for patients and families who may be here for an extended time.

Since you are a college student and an undergraduate, your volunteer responsibilities will be limited. Volunteers gain “patient contact” experience.

Volunteer activities may range from helping patients and families in the waiting areas to ease long wait times, providing directions and guidance to patients and families who may need someone to personally walk them to appointments, playing games with patients in waiting areas, stocking supplies needed for emergencies, and at times visiting patients admitted to the hospital to see if they have a non-clinical need, or to brighten the patient’s day with a conversation.

This program does not provide clinical experience; it does, however provide very valuable service and volunteering experience which is important to health professions schools. It offers an opportunity for students to perform volunteer service within the hospital setting.

What is the time commitment?

Since this program is very selective, not every student who applies can be accepted. Students who are accepted are required to volunteer every week for 2 hours per week, for one year.

Volunteers need to report every week for their assignment for the entire academic year. We do not have volunteers for only one semester and short-term volunteering is not possible.

All student volunteers will be evaluated and an evaluation report will be sent to their Pre-Health Dean and Academic Advisor at the completion of their service. Therefore, it is very important that each student report for volunteering every week.

What are the Health Requirements?

Students applying to the Pre-Health Volunteer Program will need to make an appointment to visit Duke Student Health for a volunteer clearance prior to beginning volunteering.

It is strongly encouraged that all students interested in this program complete an appointment with Duke Student Health and receive their volunteer clearance prior to Tuesday, September 11, 2012.

Students will need to obtain a blue “Volunteer Clearance” form from Duke Student Health and give this form to their volunteer program coordinator prior being able to start volunteering.

Please call Duke Student Health at 681-9355 and request a volunteer clearance screening appointment.

Checklist for interested Pre-Health Students

Students who are interested in volunteering for the Pre-Health Volunteer Program (PHVP) will need to complete the following:

1. Print out and complete online PHVP volunteer application and availability sheet prior to September 11, 2012. Please bring the completed application to your interview.
2. Contact Shaun Sanders in the Volunteer Services office at 681-5031 between 9am - 3pm weekdays for additional program information and to sign up for an interview.  Students may sign up for no more than 3 interviews in different programs.
3. Interviews are conducted in groups of 4-6 students per time slot. Please sign up early for interviews. Once all of the interview slots are taken, the program is full and will not be able to grant additional interviews.
4. Make an appointment with Duke Student Health prior to September 11 for “Volunteer Clearance.” Be sure to bring the blue “volunteer clearance form” from Student Health with you to your interview -- this clearance form is required.
5. You will hear from your interviewer within 48 hours after your interview if you have been selected for the Pre-Health Volunteer program.
6. Attend the required Volunteer Training and Orientation on September 15 from 8:30am-12:30pm in Room 2003, Duke Hospital North. This training is required and is the only training session offered for PHVP.
   
   • Students who are unable to attend the required training session on September 15 will be unable to participate in the PHVP program.
7. Students need to commit to volunteering two hours per week for an entire academic year.
   
   • Evaluations will be provided to each student’s pre-health dean and advisor regarding whether the student completed his or her commitment. Students should only be absent from volunteering in the event of illness.
   • Please do not apply to the program unless you plan to volunteer 2 hours every week for an entire year.
8. Plan to bring $18 cash per shirt for your PHVP volunteer program polo shirt to the training on Saturday September 15. Volunteer polo shirts are required and students may purchase more than one shirt.

Thank you very much for your interest in this rewarding volunteer program which allows pre-health students a unique opportunity to serve our patients and families.

We receive many more applications every year than we can accept, so please sign up for interviews as early as possible.

Links to print out PHVP application and availability sheets:

• Application
• Availability Sheet
• Current PHVP Program Area for Interviews 
• Map of Duke Hospital and Directions to Searle Center

Directions to the Searle Center
Duke students can take one of the Duke shuttles to the main Duke North Hospital Entrance. The main hospital information desk is located at the front of Duke North Hospital. Please ask at the Duke North information desk for directions to the Searle Center and Information Desk staff will assist you.

Please Note: The Searle Conference Center is located on the ground level of the Seeley G. Mudd Building.
When you arrive at the Seeley G. Mudd Building Center take the elevator down to the Ground Level(G)towards the Searle Center Restaurant. When you reach the Ground Floor turn to your left outside of the elevator and then take the first immediate left down the hallway. The Searle Conference Center will be on the right.