Volunteer and Internship Opportunities
San Mateo Medical Center
Types of volunteer opportunities: Various – Examples: Creative Arts and Recreation Therapies, Office Assistant, Outpatient Services, Radiology
Agency and location: San Mateo Medical Center, 222 W. 39th Ave., San Mateo, CA 94403
Contact person and info: Glynis Carreira, Volunteer Coordinator, 650-573-3731, gcarriera@co.sanmateo.ca.us
Benefits to student (skills and exposure to careers): build communications skills, learn hospital policies and work environment, maintain patient confidentiality, gain exposure to specialty area like Radiology
Site looking for students interested in: Career in a hospital setting; plus if have bilingual abilities (Spanish/English)
Education and age of desired intern/volunteer: High school: 15-18 yrs. College: 18 yrs. +
Description of opportunity and duties: Depends upon specific position Ex. Long Term Care – Creative Arts & Recreation Therapies Volunteer Duties: Transport patients, hands-on help with group activities such as arts and crafts, assistance with non-English speaking or physically disabled individuals, visit patients who are room bound, tidy waiting area, water plants, package supplies, serve food to patients
Type of health care settings:
- In-patient: Hospitals
- Out-patient: Medical clinic
Experience type: Volunteer position
Duration and time of commitment: 100 hours with 10+ hours per week over the summer. 3-4 hours per week if volunteer during the school year.
Application Process: May take 3 weeks+. Includes: application, 1st interview, TB test (free if never tested positive), 2 references (name and phone #) and 2nd interview.
Requirements and qualifications needed: good health, TB test, able to work with diverse people, able to use good judgment, be emotionally mature and friendly, able to listen empathetically without giving medical advice; must be able to follow hospital policies and maintain patient confidentiality
Patient populations (i.e. children, seniors): varies greatly – children, adults, senior citizens
Amount of patient contact: some
Site’s prior experience with high school students: has had many high school volunteers before
Willingness to work with high schools: Yes
Liability issues (relevant if part of internship vs. job shadowing): Not relevant
Location: Various including:
- San Mateo Medical Center, 222 W. 39th Ave., San Mateo, CA 94403
- Long Term Care Facility, Main Campus - 222 W. 39th Ave., San Mateo, CA 94403
- Willow Clinic, 795 Willow Road, Building 334, Menlo Park, CA 94025
- Fair Oaks Family Health Care Center, 2710 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, CA 94063
Transportation options: Sam Trans Bus 295 to hospital 390, 391, 397, KX - Exit El Camino Real/39th St. Walk west on 39th St. to the hospital. From Hillsdale Shopping Center - Walk south on Edison St. then right on 39th St. to the hospital.