COPE Health ScholarAt — COPE Health Solutions
The COPE Health Scholars Program at Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital gives aspiring healthcare professionals the opportunity to gain hands-on exposure to the hospital environment, support patient care teams, and learn about different healthcare careers. Through volunteering, you can develop important skills like communication, teamwork, and patient interaction while making a meaningful difference in the patient experience. Whether you’re interested in nursing, medicine, physician assistant studies, or another healthcare career, this program is a great way to explore your interests and build experience for your future. No previous healthcare experience is required, just a willingness to learn and a commitment to serving others!
By the end of the COPE Health Scholars Program, students will have developed a stronger understanding of the healthcare environment and gained practical experience supporting patient care teams. Scholars will have strengthened their communication, teamwork, professionalism, and patient interaction skills while learning about hospital operations, patient safety, and the importance of compassionate, patient-centered care. They will also have explored different healthcare roles, built confidence working in a clinical setting, and gained valuable experience to help prepare them for future education and careers in healthcare.
Students complete a mandatory, approximately 30-hour training program conducted over three days on a designated weekend, typically Saturday and Sunday. The first half of training consists of lectures covering the COPE Health Scholars Program, hospital policies and procedures, patient safety, infection prevention, HIPAA and patient confidentiality, professional conduct, communication, and the scope of the Health Scholar role. The second half focuses on hands-on practical skills and activities that prepare students for their volunteer responsibilities in the hospital. At the end of training, students are tested on both the knowledge covered in lectures and the practical skills demonstrated during training. Students must successfully complete the required assessments before progressing to department-specific shadow shifts.
Students must complete an online application through the COPE Health Scholars application portal. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a minimum GPA of 2.5, and maintain active health insurance while in program. The application process includes an interview to assess the applicant’s interest in healthcare, commitment to the program, availability, and understanding of the volunteer role. A resume is not required, and previous healthcare experience is not necessary. Following acceptance, students must complete required enrollment steps, background screening, and mandatory training before beginning volunteer shifts.
| Hours | Duration |
|---|---|
| 280 | hours per placement |