Inova volunteer program helps 'plant the seed' for teens to consider healthcare careers
WASHINGTON (7News) — Northern Virginia high school students got an inside look into the medical field this summer as they volunteered at Inova Fairfax Hospital.
The teens commit to two days for a total of four to eight hours a week. The students can pick between working at the gift shops, medical library, patient support services or Treasure Trove resale stores. At the end of the summer, the teens get to learn about different positions in the hospital and get hands-on experience at the hospital’s simulation lab.
Gisel Hernandez, 17, is a senior at Osborn High School. She told 7News Reporter Victoria Sanchez the experience was rewarding.
“There’re so many things you can do and I feel like everyone can contribute. I think I would like to be a language interpreter, a translator,” she said.
The program operations manager for Inova Fairfax volunteer services said thousands of students have gone through the program and many have gotten full-time jobs at the hospital.
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“That’s exactly what today is designed to do is to help plant that seed and further their educational opportunities that might be out there,” said Carrie Street.
Dr. Steve Narang is the president of Inova Fairfax Medical Campus and spoke with the young volunteers about the various opportunities.
“We are taking care of human beings, and this is just a gateway whether you want to be an accountant, whether you want to be in security, whether you want to be in IT or whether you want to be at the bedside. There’s a job for you in healthcare,” said Narang.
“It’s been incredible,” said 17-year-old Tarini Basireddy, a senior at Thomas Jefferson High School. “I’m still debating whether I want to do research or be a doctor or maybe a little bit of both.”
“What is it about healthcare that draws you to it?” Sanchez asked.
“It’s definitely the patient interaction. I love speaking to other people, I love learning about them and things they’re doing and like really connecting with them. And in healthcare, I think, that’s more common, it’s more expected and it’s part of your responsibility. You’re supposed to connect with the patient,” she said.
For more high school volunteer opportunities, click here.
