he UHS Clinic Volunteer Program offers students an opportunity for clinical experience and direct patient contact in the UHS General Medicine, Sports Medicine, and Women's Health clinics.
Duties can include:
- Assisting healthcare providers and nursing staff with patient care
- Taking vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, respirations, temperature)
- Conducting vision screening
- Applying certain orthopedic appliances
Returning volunteers (2nd or 3rd year) may learn additional clinical skills and work in the UHS Urgent Care Clinic or the Laboratory.
Additional duties for returning volunteers can include:
- Performing electrocardiograms (EKGs)
- Fitting patients for and instructing on crutch use
- Phlebotomy (blood drawing)
Clinic volunteers must commit to at least four hours per week for two long semesters (fall & spring). All volunteers must display regular attendance and professional conduct. Those who perform satisfactorily at the end of the two-semester commitment may continue to participate if they wish. Summer participation is also available for experienced volunteers.
Our program focuses primarily on providing a rewarding learning opportunity for the volunteer. While many hospitals use volunteers to perform tasks such as paperwork, answering phones, or picking up linen and lunch trays, UHS clinic volunteers have direct patient contact. UHS patients and staff appreciate and support the program.
History of the UHS Clinic Volunteer Program
At the recommendation of the Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC), UHS launched the Clinic Volunteer Program in the spring of 1998. The program has grown nearly each semester. An average of 75 volunteers work throughout the General Medicine, Sports Medicine, Women's Health, and Urgent Care clinics, as well as the UHS Laboratory each semester. Most volunteers are pre-med or pre-nursing students.
UHS takes great pride in their volunteers. As a part of the university community, we value our role as mentors of tomorrow's health care professionals and consumers.
Interested in applying for the UHS Clinic Volunteer Program?
UHS accepts applications for the program each spring semester for volunteers to start the following summer or fall semester. Qualified applicants are interviewed and selected each April.
Lower and upper division undergraduates and graduate students from any major or background are welcome to apply. A major in a health-related field is preferred but not required.
New and returning volunteers begin their mandatory training each semester before classes begin with an extensive orientation to UHS and a clinical skills workshop. Volunteers receive additional on-the-job training and increased responsibility as skill and proficiency grow. See the application for training dates.
The clinic volunteer application for the 2013-2014 academic year is now closed. Interviews will be held the week of 4-08-2013. If selected, mandatory orientation and training will be held all day on both Friday, 8-23-13 and Saturday, 8-24-13.
UHS Clinic Volunteer Program Contact Information
Kathy Mosteller, RN
Nursing Director, Clinic Volunteer Program Coordinator
University of Texas at Austin, University Health Services
Office: SSB 2.404A, Campus Mail A3900
(email is the preferred method of contact)
Phone: (512) 475-8365
Fax: (512) 471-0898
