Eskenazi Health is now accepting applications for its 2016 VolunTEEN Summer Program. The VolunTEEN program allows teenagers to experience professional service and shadowing for students on a path to becoming health care professionals. 

Teenagers 14 to 19 years old who are interested in a career in health care, both clinical and non-clinical, and are in good academic standing are invited to sign up for the program. All applicants must turn 14 years old by April 15, 2016 to be eligible. 

“The Eskenazi Health VolunTEEN Summer Program is a great way for Eskenazi Health to both influence the next generation of health care professionals and have a true impact in the lives of teenagers throughout our community. Last summer, we hosted around 50 students here at Eskenazi Health and more than half of them said they want to return again this summer,” said Scott Lawson, manager of Eskenazi Health Volunteer Services. “It’s also a wonderful way for these teens to meet new people and gain community service hours needed for school and scholarship opportunities.” 

This year’s program is once again placing a special emphasis on mentoring youth and preparing them for the future of health care in nursing, therapy, medicine and other health care professions. The teens accepted into the program will complete mock rotations throughout the clinical and business offices, providing them with the opportunity to gain a greater knowledge of health care and its operations.

Participants may choose from two four-week summer sessions – either June 6 to July 1, or July 11 to Aug. 5. Once enrolled, each participant will commit to one full week of training during the first week of the session and two days per week for the remaining three weeks of the program. Participants will rotate through many clinical and non-clinical settings, observing and working with Eskenazi Health staff and Volunteer Services. The first week of the program will be spent in leadership development and training sessions.  All program participants must also attend a mandatory program orientation on Saturday, May 14, 2016 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital, located at 720 Eskenazi Ave. in Indianapolis.

Program-specific information will be posted online at EskenaziHealth.edu/volunteers. All interested applicants must fill out an online application. To obtain an application, please visit EskenaziHealth.edu/careers and search “Volunteer Services” under “Select a Job Category.” Then choose and fill out an application for the 2016 VolunTEEN Summer Program. Teens will also be required to submit a minimum 500-word essay explaining why they aspire to work in health care, their plans to achieve their goals and how participating in the program will help them in their quest.

Applications, including essays and a current transcript of grades, must be received by Eskenazi Health Volunteer Services no later than Friday, April 15, 2016 to be considered. Completed applications received after this date will not be considered for the 2016 program. Please send essays and transcripts to: Eskenazi Health, Attn.: Scott R. Lawson, 720 Eskenazi Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46202.

Please note that, with a parental permission form, all applicants will receive a free health screening by Eskenazi Health Occupational Health. The mandatory health screening includes two separate tuberculosis skin tests and an immunization verification (all teens must provide copies of their immunization records). A background check will also be completed on all VolunTEENs who are 18 or older.  The mandatory volunteer certification process must be completed before beginning the VolunTEEN program.

If you have any questions about the 2016 Eskenazi Health VolunTEEN Summer Program, please contact Scott Lawson at 317.880.3311 or scott.lawson@eskenazihealth.edu.