Welcome Prospective Care Extender!
The Care Extender Program provides opportunities for volunteers to experience Health Care, from a clinical perspective, through patient contact and volunteer involvement. Care Extenders gain first-hand experience on the role of healthcare providers by volunteering in various departments throughout the medical centers. Care Extenders are trained to assist Medical Center staff, who, in turn, are able to share their personal experiences with their volunteers.
Time spent in the program proves invaluable because it provides each Care Extender with "in-the-trenches" experience in a real hospital setting. Care Extenders are respected as professional members of a patient care team. As a result, they gain an insider's understanding of the operations of the hospital - an experience which helps them determine their specific course for future studies.
"Working as a Care Extender has made me aware of the many opportunities in medical careers. Labor and Delivery was such a powerful experience for me. It doesn't matter how many biology or physiology classes you take; they just can't prepare you for the experiences I've had since joining this program. The commitment I made to this program is the smartest decision I've made in my college career."
Kendra Beckin, Care Extender
When you choose to volunteer at UCLA Health, you become a vital part of a vibrant healthcare resource in the heart of West Los Angeles. We are rich with history, innovation and achievement. Science in the laboratory becomes practice at the bedside, pioneering medical techniques are advances, and lives are transformed.
Applicants must be 18 or over. They should be currently enrolled in college or someone who already holds an accredited degree to be eligible to become a Care Extender. If you are already a part of a volunteer program at UCLA you will be asked to complete your commitment with them before you are able to join a second program. Please keep this in mind when applying to volunteer. Our volunteers include pre-healthcare majors and people looking for a career change who want to help make the lives of others more comfortable. We also offer special volunteer leadership opportunities for students who are looking to get more involved. What our volunteers have in common is that they want to be challenged, and in rising to those presented challenges, create a world of difference in our health system. Click here to read past and present Care Extender testimonials.
The time commitment is 4 hours a week for one year. Working with a department coordinator, each Care Extender will design a schedule that best fits his or her availability. Every Care Extender is also required to complete a bonus greeters rotation along with their main department during their first rotation for a total of six hours a week.
Attend a mandatory orientation to complete an application. Orientation sessions are held once a quarter, typically every January, April, July and October, and are attended by reservation only. If selected, attend an interview session. Upon acceptance into the program, you must attend a full day mandatory training session. You will also need to get CPR certified by the American Heart Association, complete a TB screening and have proof of MMR vaccination and varicella vaccination or titer.
If you have further questions, please check out our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) under "Prospective Applicants". If you have questions regarding why you did not receive an acceptance/rejection email after the specified time given at orientations, please email Careextender@mednet.ucla.edu and if you have not heard back within 48 hours, contact Moryel Yashar at MoryelYashar@mednet.ucla.edu.
Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, our volunteer program is temporarily on pause and our Spring 2020 Admissions Cycle has been canceled. Given the uncertainty regarding how long the situation will persist, we are unable to provide a definitive timeline as to when our next admissions cycle will occur. Please continue to monitor this page as we will be posting updates regarding our next admissions cycle as soon as we receive more information.
We recognize and appreciate that many are eager to help during this time. Some alternative ways that our Care Extenders have been volunteering and becoming involved during this time are as follows:
1. Supply Snacks for Respite Rooms: Make a donation of snacks for our healthcare workers. For ease, as well as infection control purposes, we ask that all items be ordered online and sent directly to the Volunteer Office (757 Westwood Plaza, Ste. B791, Los Angeles, CA 90095). We’ve included a list of items needed; please adhere to the list we have provided as we are unable to take other item donations.
2. Blood Donations: UCLA Health is still in need of blood donations. Please call (tel:310-825-0888) or go to their website to make an appointment.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to our Admissions Coordinator, Moryel Yashar, at MoryelYashar@mednet.ucla.edu with any further questions or concerns.
We hope you all continue to remain safe and healthy during this time.
UCLA Health - Santa Monica Medical Center
Care Extender Program
1250 Sixteenth Street
Santa Monica, California 90404
(424) 259-8165
