One with East Texas

Learning lessons of caring, careers and community service
During June, July and August, young volunteers are seen throughout ETMC Tyler indicating the valued presence of Junior Volunteers.

As a vital component of East Texas Medical Center Tyler's Volunteer Services outreach, the Junior Volunteer program is provided each summer for young men and women ages 13 through 17. In addition to serving as volunteers at the hospital or other ETMC facilities on campus, the Juniors have the opportunity to learn about careers within the healthcare environment. The program also introduces teens to the concept of community service and allows them to earn community service hours to meet requirements for school or other organizations.

As with the adult Auxiliary, the Junior Volunteers focus on supporting ETMC's mission of care through excellent guest relations. The volunteers assist in a variety of service areas and hold fundraising activities that benefit a selected program of the hospital. 

What are the requirements to become a junior volunteer?
Caring teenagers, male or female, between the ages of 13 -17 or starting the eighth grade, are invited to apply to be an ETMC Junior Volunteer:

• Complete an application, which includes writing a short essay, and provide a letter of recommendation from a school principal or counselor.
• Demonstrate a great attitude with your ability to smile, be courteous and go the extra mile.
• Have a 2.8 or above GPA.

What do junior volunteers do at ETMC?
Junior Volunteers attend a mandatory half-day orientation to learn basic instructions on patient privacy, customer service, safety, infection control and more. Volunteers work either one full day or two half days a week from 8:00 a.m. to noon and from noon to 4:00 p.m. providing services in a variety of areas which may include but are not limited to:

• Admitting (escorting patients to and from their rooms)
• Hospitality Cart (serving beverages and providing magazines to guests)
• Breast Care Center (escorting patients to dressing rooms, organizing charts)
• Healthy Connections (transporting items to the lab and escorting patients)
• Information Desk (directing visitors and guests to appropriate patient rooms and answering questions. Requires computer skills and excellent guest relations)
• ETMC Cancer Institute (assisting staff and guests in many unique ways)

Why should I become a junior volunteer at ETMC?
In addition to your volunteer placement, you will have opportunities to attend six educational classes including a CPR training course; job-shadowing professional staff; hands-on opportunities to learn more about healthcare professions and you may be invited to watch surgery, heart catheterizations or other procedures. Junior volunteering is a great way to:

• Acquire community service hours (great for school clubs, community organizations and college scholarships).
• Investigate different healthcare professions.
• Learn about customer relations and how to provide superior customer service.
• Gain satisfaction that comes from helping others.

ETMC limits its Junior Volunteer program to 50 students each summer. Applications are available in the Volunteer Services office in January and completed applications are due back by the end of February. Junior Volunteers selected to participate are announced in April. The program is eight weeks long starting in early June with selected teens volunteering at least six of the eight weeks.

For more information, please call the ETMC Tyler volunteer office at (903) 531-8199.