Clinical Opportunities

Methodist Healthcare

Volunteers play a crucial role in delivering patient- and family-centered care and can volunteer in various ways.

Methodist Hospice

Volunteers offer their time and talents to support hospice patients and their families.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Since St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital opened its doors in 1962, thousands of volunteers have dedicated their time and energy to providing exceptional support to our staff and patient families. Individual volunteers serve in many ways throughout the hospital, from playing games with children to rounding up our wagons and wheelchairs. All roles focus on the patient and family experience.

Room in the Inn

Volunteers are the heartbeat of Room In The Inn – Memphis. Opportunities to serve include becoming a host location, volunteering with a current host site, sharing a special talent or interest with guests on campus, hosting a donation drive for some of our essential items, and more!

Baptist Memorial Hospital and Health Care Services

Volunteering provides an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of healthcare. Volunteers can work alongside staff in patient care areas or support a team with various projects and needs.

Memphis Crisis Center

If you want to be a part of a group that helps more than 25,000 people who call our lifeline annually, then please consider volunteering your time at the Memphis Crisis Center.   

Mid-South Mission of Mercy

The Mid-South Mission of Mercy is a free, two-day dental clinic serving underserved and underinsured individuals in Memphis and the surrounding Mid-South area. 

Church Health Center

Church Health provides healthcare services to underserved individuals in the Memphis community. Volunteers' commitment and motivation enable Church Health to grow and impact more people in Memphis.         

Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center

Le Bonheur volunteers support the staff in caring for over 250,000 children annually.  Le Bonheur offers a variety of opportunities for college students to get involved.

American Red Cross

Volunteers lead the Red Cross mission in preparedness, prevention, and response to emergencies. Discover the rewards of giving your time and effort by exploring the various volunteer opportunities now available.

Regional One Health

Volunteering at Regional One Health offers a rewarding and unique experience that helps improve the quality of life for individuals throughout the region.  

Saint Francis Hospital

As a volunteer, you’ll have a profound impact on every area of the hospital, serving as a vital resource to patients, families, visitors, and employees. Saint Francis offers a variety of volunteer opportunities that accommodate all schedules.

West Cancer Center

Volunteers do many things at West. They may help patients navigate the clinic, assist patients in exiting or entering our facilities, or offer snacks and beverages. Oftentimes, volunteers provide comfort to those in the waiting areas, which can sometimes be the most valuable gift.        

VA Memphis Healthcare

 VAMC Memphis depends on the goodwill of our benefactors and volunteers who wish to give something back to America's heroes.  Volunteers provide numerous important functions throughout the Medical Center, helping to make patients' stays more enjoyable.    

The Wellness and Stress Clinic

The Wellness and Stress Clinic of Memphis offers free primary care, social work and case management, emotional fitness, and legal services in South Memphis.

Southern Reins           

Southern Reins offers numerous volunteer opportunities, including direct program support, barn assistance, equine care, special events, project work, and internships.

WarHorses for Heroes 

Volunteers assist us with lessons, caring for the horses, and various support tasks.

Out of the Woods Wildlife Rescue & Rehab

Out of the Woods Wildlife’s mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and release orphaned and injured Tennessee wildlife while inspiring others to co-exist peacefully with wildlife through education and advocacy.

Memphis Pets Alive 

MPA is dedicated to placing cats in their forever homes as well as helping the cat population with TNR in the Memphis area.

Memphis Zoo               

Are you interested in a career with large animals? Volunteering is an excellent way to gain practical experience in many zoo-related fields and give back to the community.

Humane Society of Memphis & Shelby County  

The Humane Society of Memphis & Shelby County is a grassroots organization rooted in the love a group of concerned Memphians had for neglected animals in the community. For over 90 years, the Humane Society has worked tirelessly to save the lives of animals.

Streetdog Foundation            

Streetdog’s primary goal is to find the right fit for both the dog and the household. Streetdog is not a first-come, first-served rescue. Volunteers work diligently to make sure every match has the highest chance of success.

Shadowing health professionals provides a valuable insight into their daily responsibilities. It can help you explore different specialties, understand provider-patient interactions, and keep you motivated in your career path.

Finding Professionals to Shadow:

• Begin by contacting your doctor/s and the doctors who care for your immediate family.
• Use connections through family and friends (e.g., faith community members, coaches, former teachers, former supervisors).
• Reach out to peers who have had positive shadowing experiences.
• Consult your HPA advisor for local connections and potential alum connections in your hometown.
• Inquire about shadowing opportunities during internships, research, and volunteer positions.

If someone can't accommodate you for shadowing, consider asking if they are available for a brief, informational interview about their career. Inquire if they have colleagues who may be more available for shadowing that they can connect you to. 

HPA Academic Internship Opportunities

• Overview, Student Qualifications, and Process to Apply
• HPA Academic Internship Opportunities 

Rhodes Fellowship Opportunities

• St. Jude Summer Plus Research Fellowship
• Le Bonheur Summer Plus Clinical Research Fellowship
• UT Neuroscience Institute Research Fellowship

Summer Opportunities in Memphis

Baptist Summer Scholars: 

Baptist Memorial Health Care (BMHCC) and the Baptist Center for Career Development offer the Summer Scholars Pre-Med Internship Program. The program is designed to expose four Rhodes students to a variety of medical disciplines via clinical shadowing and explore topics and issues in healthcare. The Rhodes HPA Office will send out application information each spring.

UTHSC-Campbell Clinic Orthopaedic Internship:

The UTHSC Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Biomedical Engineering hosts a Summer Orthopaedic Internship to encourage and support undergraduate women who aim to pursue a career in medical education with a focus on orthopaedic medicine. This program accepts applications from college students throughout the Mid-South.

UTHSC Undergraduate Student Experience in Neurology (USEN): 

A two-week program is offered to local undergraduates, allowing them to shadow UTHSC neurologists. This program accepts applications from college students throughout the Mid-South.

St. Jude Pediatric Oncology Education Program (POE):

The POE program provides a unique opportunity for students preparing for careers in the biomedical sciences, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, psychology, or public health to gain experience in biomedical and oncology research. The POE program provides a summer internship in either laboratory research or clinical research.

UTHSC Summer Research Scholars:

The Summer Research Scholars (SRS) gain hands-on research experience in UTHSC’s dynamic research laboratories with the goal of introducing them to graduate education in the biomedical sciences. Research Opportunities are available in the following areas: Biomedical Engineering, Epidemiology, Health Outcomes and Policy Research, Integrated Biomedical Sciences, Nursing Science, and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

UTHSC Pre-Health Scholars Program: 

The Pre-Health Scholars Program (PSP) is a six-week program designed to help expose underrepresented students to the health professions at UTHSC. Students spend six weeks gaining valuable clinical knowledge with the College of Medicine, College of Dentistry, College of Pharmacy, College of Nursing, and the College of Health Professions. Must be first-generation, non-traditional, veteran, disclosing a disability, economically disadvantaged, or resident of a rural area, and/or demonstrate interest in issues affecting underserved populations.

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

A CNA provides basic patient care under the supervision of licensed nurses, often working in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities. This position does require you to complete a certified CNA educational program for certification. 

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

An emergency medical technician provides basic and sometimes intermediate emergency medical care to patients in a pre-hospital setting, often on ambulances, and transports them to a hospital for further treatment. This position does require you to complete a state-approved program for licensure. Learn more about the EMS Program at Southwest Community College. 

Medical Assistant (MA)

A medical assistant performs administrative and clinical tasks under the direction of physicians and other healthcare providers, supporting patient care in various medical settings. Receiving certification can allow for additional job opportunities. 

Patient Care Assistant (PCA)

A patient care assistant provides basic care and support to patients under the supervision of nurses, assisting with activities such as monitoring vital signs, helping with mobility, bathing, and dressing, and collecting laboratory specimens. 

Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists in dispensing medications and related tasks. Many employers prefer or require certification. 

Phlebotomist

A phlebotomist draws blood samples from patients for laboratory testing, transfusions, research, or donations. Many employers prefer or require certification.

Physical Therapy Technician

A physical therapy technician supports a physical therapist in patient care. This may include clerical tasks, preparing treatment areas, cleaning and maintaining equipment, and assisting with patient exercises and transfers. Some employers prefer or require certification. 

Scribe

A medical scribe documents physician-patient interactions by entering patient information, taking notes, and retrieving medical records. 

Veterinary Assistant

A veterinary assistant supports veterinarians and veterinary technicians in providing care to animals, performing tasks like animal restraint, medication administration, and maintaining clinic cleanliness. 

Link to our certification programs list in HPA's box.