Volunteering/Shadowing as a High School Student

Is it possible to volunteer at a hospital or clinic and/or shadow a physician as a sophomore in high school? Is there any way to get around the stringent age restrictions many hospitals have? What is the best way to get involved in a medical setting as a high school student? Could anyone share their personal experiences volunteering/shadowing?

Posted in your other thread…

Most organizations will require you to be 16 due to privacy and liability issues.

Medical volunteering doesn’t have to be done in a hospital. Try nursing homes. Try group homes for the mentally or physically disabled. Try summer camps or special programs for disabled or autistic children. Try Special Olympics. Try Big Brother/Big Sister.

If you are a Boy Scout or Girl Scout–those organizations often sponsor medical volunteer opportunities. Contact your Council Office.

D2 found a summer long position with a special pediatric program inside a hospital when she was 15-16 (between sophomore/junior years-- I remember she wasn’t driving yet). The program wasn’t run thru the hospital’s volunteer office, but thru another organization.

Shadowing–start by asking your own primary care provider if you can shadow them. Contact physicians who may know you on a personal level–like friends of your parents, or the parents of your friends. If the person you ask says no, then ask that person if they can recommend someone who might allow you to shadow.

Thank you for the advice! @WayOutWestMom