Summer College Intensive Program
Experiential Learning through Service
As a volunteer in NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital's Summer College Intensive Program (SCIP), you will gain the knowledge and experience that comes from directly caring for patients while participating in enriching educational opportunities and training.
Our mission
The SCIP program aims to enhance the quality of care for hospitalized patients while augmenting the education of future healthcare practitioners. SCIP volunteers are able to build competency, communication skills, and compassion through direct immersion in real-world healthcare situations.
SCIP activities
As a SCIP participant, you will be engaged in the following:
- Direct patient care, 16 hours a week, for a minimum of 128 hours. Volunteers will respond to call bells, facilitate patient and family communication with healthcare teams, round to provide companionship and emotional support to patients, conduct fall prevention rounds, and assist with patients' meals. Task supervision is provided by nursing staff.
- Educational opportunities, including lectures by leading healthcare practitioners, weekly readings in humanistic medicine, and skill-building trainings. Past lectures have included physicians in radiation oncology, trauma surgery, and orthopedics. Trainings have included fall prevention training, empathic communication, and cultural competency.
- Optional experience, with additional shifts available in the Resident Evaluation Project, survey research, and other special projects.
Program requirements
- Attendance at the orientation is mandatory. There will be 2 sessions offered and participants can choose the session they would like to attend. The first session offered will be held on Thursday, May 14 at 5 pm. The second session will be held on Thursday, June 11 at 4 pm.
- Medical clearance is required prior to commencing the program.
- SCIP participants must commit to four, four-hour shifts per week (with a minimum of 128 hours of service), in addition to attendance at lectures. Because this is a highly structured and scheduled program, students will not be granted any time off. Interested participants may extend their service through the end of the summer or into the fall.
- Attendance at all lectures is required. There will be at least six lectures.
- There will be a $15.00 non-refundable administrative fee collected at the start of the program.
Schedule
The program starts on a rolling basis from the date of the orientation session selected. Training will only commence once the participant has attended orientation, has been medically cleared, and completed all the onboarding requirements. Volunteers are welcome to extend their service through the month of August if desired.
Patient care shifts will be available 7 days a week between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Shifts are 4 hours each (typically 8am-12pm, 12pm-4pm, 4pm-8pm, and 6pm-10pm). Participants will be able to choose their preferred shifts. Please note that the six lectures will typically take place on weekday mornings/early afternoons, and may not be on a day participants are scheduled to volunteer.
Who should apply
We are looking for committed and well-rounded college juniors and seniors in pre-health and nursing programs who are interested in providing compassionate care that will enrich their life, education, and future. Students graduating college in May 2020 are also welcome to apply.
Housing is not provided. Please apply only if you will have local accommodations. Parking is not provided and public transportation is recommended.
Selection of participants
We select students based on their academic record, previous volunteer experience, seriousness of purpose, and ability to communicate effectively in writing and in interpersonal situations.
Application
The application deadline is January 31, 2020.
SCIP is a highly competitive program, with limited spots available. Be sure to highlight your interests and achievements in the "About you" section of the application.
Due to the high number of applications we receive, we are unfortunately unable to acknowledge every applicant. Only those selected for an interview will receive an email acknowledgment. Interviews will take place during the month of March 2020.
If you are selected for an interview, you will be required to bring an unofficial transcript and resume. Please note that interviews are in-person only.
Students will be notified in early April if they have been accepted to the program.
The SCIP 2020 application is now closed. Please explore additional volunteer opportunities here.