VOLUNTEER AND SERVICE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AT UNIVERSITY HEALTH
SERVICES
If you are a Penn State student who is interested in health care
and helping others, there are many opportunities at UHS for you
to become involved. Just read what three students had to say about
their volunteer experiences:
"I like the leadership opportunities. I also like
participating in event planning because it feels good to see something
you've talked about actually happen."
"Students feel empowered. We have the responsibility
and opportunity to take initiative. I've gotten excellent experience
through outreach activities."
"I like the direct interaction with students to address their
concerns, questions, and misconceptions."
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
Office of Emergency Medical Services
Contact: EMS Manager, 123 Student Health Center, 865-1772
The Office of Emergency Medical Services is responsible for all
emergency medical services on the University Park Campus. The Office
operates the University Ambulance Service (UAS) and coordinates
emergency medical services for nearly 300 special events covering
over 1.2 million participants and guests each year at University
Park and in the State College, PA area.
The UAS is licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health,
operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and responds to approximately
600 ambulance calls per year on the University Park Campus.
The Office of EMS is always looking for certified Pennsylvania
EMTs and Paramedics to become new volunteers with UAS.
New volunteer EMTs are scheduled on either day or night ambulance
shifts with regular crew members for training and orientation. Students
fill various company officer positions, and receive leadership training
and opportunities as part of their service experience.
If you are not currently certified as a Pennsylvania EMT, there
are many local training opportunities to become certified. Penn
State offers the EMT course (KINES 403) every semester.
Volunteers who have gone through the orientation program may become
eligible to apply for regular ambulance and special events crew
positions. These are part-time paid positions with the Office of
EMS. Applications are accepted from EMTs, EMT-Ps, AND EMT-HPs who
are Penn State students and have completed the University Ambulance
Service volunteer training program and hold certifications in CPR,
AED, EVOC, and HAZMAT-Ops.
For an application to be considered as a volunteer EMT, check
out our web site at www.psu.edu/dept/ems.
The completed application should be returned to the Penn State Office
of Emergency Medical Services, 123 Student Health Center, University
Park, PA 16802.
Return to top of page
CLINIC VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
Contact: Joan Donahey, LPN
at (jzd7@psu.edu) in the Student Health Center, 865-6557
Frequently Asked Questions
Applications are currently closed.
The University Health Services Clinic Volunteer Program provides students
with the opportunity to interact professionally with patients in the
General Medicine Department.
For more information, click
here.
Return to top of page
HEALTH PROMOTION AND WELLNESS
University Health Services has a number of opportunities for you
to become involved. Students who participate in our programs report
that they enhance their communication skills, learn about current
health issues, gain experience in college health, serve fellow students,
develop leadership skills, enrich their Penn State experience, and
build friendships that will last a lifetime.
Our programs offer you the opportunity to prepare yourself for
a variety of professions. Following is a sample of the areas in
which our alumni pursue graduate study and professional careers:
| |
nutrition and dietetics |
|
business and public administration |
|
health promotion and education, public health, college
health |
|
drug and alcohol treatment |
|
communications |
|
medicine and nursing |
|
physical therapy |
|
health care administration |
|
athletic training |
HealthWorks
Contact: HealthWorks Advisor, 201J Student Health Center, 863-0461
HealthWorks is a peer education outreach program dedicated to
serving the Penn State community by educating students about important
wellness; nutrition; sexual health; and alcohol, tobacco and other
drug issues. HealthWorks educators facilitate workshops, sponsor
University-wide outreach events, and advocate for health within
the University and larger community. They develop social marketing
techniques to expose Penn State students to healthy choices.
HealthWorks Peer Educators are trained during Fall semester. The
training consists of two courses which offer academic credits. A one-credit
Biobehavioral Health course offers training in how to be a HealthWorks
educator; both theory and leadership skills are addressed. The second
course, which is two credits will provide information on college
health issues relevant to each content area as well as presentation
skills. Students will choose a specialization in one of the four
content areas listed above.
To apply to be a HealthWorks Educator, please visit HealthWorks or stop by the Office of Health Promotion and Wellness, 201 Student Health Center, University Park, PA. Application deadlines are traditionally
in the Spring for the following fall.
HIV/AIDS Risk Reduction Advisory Council (HARRAC)
To apply to join the Advisory Council, visit the HARRAC website.
The mission of HARRAC is to enhance the sexual health of Penn State students and reduce their risk of HIV/AIDS through health promotion and activism that is student directed. This group works to achieve this by promoting sexual health through social marketing and innovative programming, creating awareness of HIV testing, increasing access to sexual health protection, and working cooperatively with other student groups. Their primary message is "Don't ignore it. Prevent it." Volunteer opportunities include serving as a Safer Sex Party facilitator, Peer Networker, and Advisory Council member. HARRAC receives partial funding from the North Central District AIDS Coalition. For more information, visit the HARRAC website.
Individual Peer Health Education Service
Contact: Community Health Educator and Program Coordinator, 201 Student Health Center, 863-0461
Intervention services provided by students are available for alcohol and marijuana violations, smoking cessation and HIV pre- and post- test counseling. There is a one year commitment required and training is offered during the fall semester with continuing educational opportunities throughout the academic year.
The Individual Peer Health and Education Service provides students in human service majors with experience in individualized health promotion and education. Volunteer students and students enrolled in BioBehavioral Health 497 receive intense training in educational and motivational counseling and special topics, such as alcohol use and abuse, marijuana use and abuse, tobacco and sexual health.
For more information and an application to be a Student Interventionist, click here or stop by the Office of Health Promotion and Education, 201 Student Health Center, University Park, PA. Application review and interviews are conducted during spring semester.
Project SmokeLess
Contact: Linda LaSalle, 863-0461 or E-mail.
The mission of Project SmokeLess is to reduce smoking and improve the health of Penn State Students. The group works to achieve this by increasing awareness about the harmful side effects of tobacco smoke pollution and by increasing student advocacy for smoke-free environments. See http://www.smokefree.psu.edu/ for more information.
S-Plan
Contact: S-Plan, 201 Student Health Center, 865-7134
S-Plan (Support, Survival and Success for African-American and
Latino students new to Penn State) is designed to promote the mental
and physical health of African-American and Latino students and
to assist students within these populations with the adjustments
to campus life, as well as the management of stresses they may experience
in their first year
S-Plan Student Leaders meet with new students in informal groups
to discuss their concerns, introduce them to campus resources, and
provide opportunities for socializing. S-Plan Leaders also plan
and implement programs on issues of interest to students of color.
Training for S-Plan Leaders includes cultural and health issues
relevant to students of color. They learn leadership, team building,
mentoring, and communication skills. S-Plan Leaders receive one
to three academic credits of African/African American Studies (AAAS)
for their training and involvement in the program each semester.
S-Plan Leaders must have attended two semesters of S-Plan programming
as a new student prior to becoming an S-Plan Leader. To learn more
about becoming an S-Plan Leader, see S-Plan
or stop by the Office of Health Promotion and Wellness, 201 Student Health Center, University Park, PA. Applications are traditionally
accepted in March for the following fall.
Return to top of page
PHYSICAL THERAPY
Physical Therapy Volunteers
Contact: Physical Therapy Department, 101 Student Health Center, 865-7381
University Health Services Physical Therapy Department (UHS-PT)
is dedicated to serving students with neuromusculoskeletal injuries.
The goal of UHS-PT is to facilitate the recovery of the patient
to their desired level of activity.
The PT Volunteer Program offers opportunities for students who
are interested in pursuing a career in physical therapy or other
health related fields. Student volunteers are encouraged to observe
the physical therapist/physical therapist assistant/athletic trainer-patient
interaction and ask questions.
Opportunities may arise for student volunteers to follow a patient
through their exercise program. Training for PT Volunteers takes
place at the beginning of each semester. Training includes an administrative
and an infection control orientation given by UHS staff. Orientation
specific to the PT Department is given by the PT staff.
For an application to be a PT volunteer, visit room 101 in the Student Health Center. Student volunteers are scheduled on a first come-first
served semester basis and hours/days usually range from 2-4 hours/1-2
days per week. Internship opportunities are also available.
Return to top of page |