VOLUNTEER AT PUENTES

Puentes de Salud attracts more than 500 active student and faculty volunteers from eleven colleges and universities throughout the Philadelphia region. Our comprehensive strategy for supporting the health of Philadelphia’s Latinx community draws on volunteers from many disciplines, including medicine, nursing, public health, law, education, and visual arts. This interdisciplinary group learns about important issues in Latinx health, wellness, and education firsthand through supervised volunteer work in our various programs. All volunteer opportunities require an application process. If you are interested in volunteering, please see opportunities below. Contact us with any questions at volunteer@puentesdesalud.org.

Please Note:  In order to provide quality direct service to our community and a quality immersion experience for our volunteers, we are not able to accept visiting or walk-in volunteers,  high-school students, student research proposals, or short-term class project/papers volunteers.

PROFESSIONAL VOLUNTEERS

If you are a licensed provider, physician, nurse, NP, PhD, social worker, or professional in a field related to our work and would like to volunteer, please contact us at volunteer@puentesdesalud.org. Providers must have an active license in the state of PA.

CLINIC OPPORTUNITIES

Undergraduate, Post-bacc, Graduate, Medical, and Professional Students

Positions are limited and applications are competitive. Please apply early. Volunteers who have participated in other programs and meet required qualifications receive priority for our more competitive positions.

If you missed the application deadline, please fill out this form in order to be placed on our interested volunteers listserv: https://forms.gle/dLisJNX2Qhg2dJQw6

Admin/Flow volunteers take an active role in organizing patient and volunteer flow, managing patient records, vaccine scheduling and assisting staff, physicians and all providers in the running of the vaccine & health clinics. This role is fluid given the changing needs of the clinic. It may include checking patient temperatures, checking patients in for vaccine clinic days, answering questions, and serving as an interpreter for providers as needed.  Overall, this role provides volunteers with valuable insight and experience in patient care and navigation, public health and non-profit primary care clinic functions.

Eligibility: Available to Post-Bacc and Undergraduate Students

Schedule: Monday mornings 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday evenings 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Thursdays 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Application Deadlines:

Fall 2022 Term: Late August

Winter 2022 Term:  December 1st-December 20th. Orientation is scheduled for January 14, 2023.

Spring 2022 Term: December 4th – 19th

Summer 2022 Term: Early May

To apply:

  1. Go to puentesapp.org
  2. Click on “Sign Up” at the bottom of the website home page.
  3. Create an account and password.
  4. You will receive an email to the account you sign up with. Confirm your account via the emailed link.
  5. Log in to org. Click on “Become a Clinic Volunteer.”
  6. Please read the position description, requirements, and deadlines carefully.
  7. Complete and submit the application, including a link to your CV.
  8. Thank you for submitting your application to Puentes! We will reach out to you with an application decision within 1-2 weeks of the application deadline

This position gives students an active role in the process of patient triage care through Intake and Vitals. Students will be responsible for taking vital signs and a brief history when patients first present to clinic, along with the opportunity to shadow and at times interpret patient visits. Students will work closely with Puentes de Salud staff and healthcare professionals to ensure the clinic runs smoothly. Students will gain a deeper understanding of cultural sensitivity and social determinants of health that impact vulnerable communities. Further description of the position can be seen on the application.

Eligibility: This position is open only to medical students (MD/DO) and physician assistant students in their pre-clinical years. Third and fourth year medical students are encouraged to apply to the Clinical II role.

Schedule: Monday mornings 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday evenings 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Thursdays 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Application Deadlines:

Fall 2022 Term: Late August

Winter 2022:  December

Spring 2022 Term: December 4th – 19th

Summer 2022 Term: Early May

To apply:

  1. Go to puentesapp.org
  2. Click on “Sign Up” at the bottom of the website home page.
  3. Create an account and password.
  4. You will receive an email to the account you sign up with. Confirm your account via the emailed link.
  5. Log in to org. Click on “Become a Clinic Volunteer.”
  6. Please read the position description, requirements, and deadlines carefully.
  7. Complete and submit the application, including a link to your CV.
  8. Thank you for submitting your application to Puentes! We will reach out to you with an application decision within 1-2 weeks of the application deadline.

The Clinical II Volunteer position provides a great opportunity for third and fourth year medical students (MS3, MS4) to gain experience shadowing a provider and learning how to conduct a patient interview. Select Medical MS3 and MS4 students are sometimes allowed to conduct the majority of a patient interview and learn how to report back to the provider with their findings.

Eligibility: This position is open only to third and fourth-year medical students who speak Spanish fluently and have completed their 3rd year Internal Medicine clerkship.

Schedule: Monday mornings 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday evenings 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Thursdays 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Application Deadlines:

Fall 2022 Term: Late August

Winter 2022 Term: December 1st-December 20th. Orientation is scheduled for January 14, 2023.

Spring 2023 Term:

Summer 2023 Term: Early May

To apply:

  1. Go to puentesapp.org
  2. Click on “Sign Up” at the bottom of the website home page.
  3. Create an account and password.
  4. You will receive an email to the account you sign up with. Confirm your account via the emailed link.
  5. Log in to org. Click on “Become a Clinic Volunteer.”
  6. Please read the position description, requirements, and deadlines carefully.
  7. Complete and submit the application, including a link to your CV.
  8. Thank you for submitting your application to Puentes! We will reach out to you with an application decision within 1-2 weeks of the application deadline.

We offer several volunteer positions across our education programs. Further description of each role can be seen on the application when we have available positions.

Eligibility: These roles are open to individuals who have demonstrated experience working with young people in informal and/or formal settings and who are committed to growing as educators. Spanish language fluency is useful but not required for most roles; our early childhood program does require Spanish proficiency.

Schedule: Schedules vary by program, but hours generally take place in the after-school time frame from 3-6pm on weekday afternoons in-person and/or on Zoom.

Please check our Facebook or Instagram pages for updates on active education volunteer roles. We generally recruit new education volunteers in August/September, January, and late spring.

For further questions regarding education volunteer opportunities, please contact Lili Domenick, Program Supervisor, at (267) 714-8048 or lili.domenick@puentesdesalud.org.

Puentes de Salud’s Food Pharmacy provides patients experiencing food insecurity with culturally appropriate despensas of food to support their health and wellness. Our Food Pharmacy is open during all regular Puentes de Salud clinic hours. Food Pharmacy volunteers serve as the primary pharmacy managers during clinic shifts—they canvas patients in the waiting room to screen them for food insecurity using standard questions, receive referred clients in the food pharmacy and support them in selecting the food items they want in their despensa, collect client information so that we can track pharmacy usage and follow up with clients to connect them to more resources, and help us keep track of our inventory. Food Pharmacy volunteers must have strong command of Spanish and excellent interpersonal skills, a strong attention to detail, and the discretion and sensitivity to serve and support clients in need. Food pharmacy volunteers should commit to volunteering at least 1-2 times per month.

Schedule: Monday evenings 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Wednesdays, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Eligibility: This role is open to Junior and Senior Undergraduate students as well as Graduate students. Food Pharmacy volunteers do not need to have medical training or backgrounds.

Every week, Puentes de Salud delivers food despensa boxes to approximately 120 families experiencing food insecurity in South Philadelphia, Southwest Philadelphia, and Upper Darby. Our team of volunteer drivers are essential to the success and sustainability of this program, and highly valued members of our team. We accept new volunteer drivers on a rolling basis throughout the year. If you are interested in joining our volunteer driver team, please contact Olivia Pandolfi, Food Access & Case Management Coordinator, at 484-202-0682 or olivia.pandolfi@puentesdesalud.org.

Eligibility: This role is open to any adult that has access to a vehicle as well as current registration and insurance.

Schedule: Sunday mornings between 10am-2pm, 2 hour commitment weekly or biweekly

Student Coordinators

Puentes de Salud has developed a highly organized student coordinator structure. Student coordinators help oversee and run various Puentes programs. Positions are listed below. We are looking for passionate, committed volunteers who exhibit leadership skills and are willing to dedicate several hours per week to these positions.

Eligibility: Coordinator positions are available to highly responsible and independent individuals. Some roles require applicants to hold a bachelor’s degree or be current health professional students. A minimum of a one-year term from January – January is required. Preference is given to current and previous Puentes volunteers. Intermediate to advanced Spanish fluency is required for most positions. Note each position may have specific requirements. Please inquire with any questions.

Applications are due in November/December of each year for the following calendar year. Positions begin in January. Positions are limited and competitive, please apply early.  Decisions will be communicated via email.

Application deadline: Applications are due by December 19, 2021 for positions starting January 1, 2022. Positions are limited and competitive — please apply early. Decisions will be sent via email.

To apply: Fill out this Google Form: https://forms.gle/fXHC2sweWXXExTGD7

  • Eligibility: health professional students
  • Ensure that enough volunteers and providers staff the clinic during shifts by monitoring PuentesApp and reaching out to volunteers to fill open spots
  • Work closely with Nurse Liaison and Senior Clinic Administrator to identify special needs and appointments at the clinic
  • Responsible for communication between directors of clinic and the clinic volunteers
  • Manage clinic coordinator email account and email listservs for providers, clinical volunteers, and admin/flow volunteers
  • Attend volunteer training sessions and monthly coordinator meetings
  • Eligibility: any level of education, age 18+
  • Manage info@puentesdesalud.org email account on a daily basis, respond to requests and promptly forward inquiries to appropriate team members
  • Assist with donor engagement and acknowledgement letters, including updating mailchimp listserv, in collaboration with administrative team
  • Manage Puentes Facebook and Instagram pages – respond on a daily basis to inquiries, messages, and questions; post content on pages as requested by staff
  • Attend monthly coordinator meetings
  • Eligibility: any level of education, age 18+
  • Create and manage Puentes newsletter and annual report
  • Organize community outreach events for the clinic, volunteers, and community members including but not limited to: social events, fundraisers, health fairs, education events, etc.
  • Organize volunteer engagement and internal social events
  • Publicize Puentes events in community groups and on relevant message boards and pages
  • Liaise with community leaders to conduct outreach. Engage in fact-checking and information gathering with community partners or city organizations before distributing information
  • Manage all-staff google group and assist with all-staff messaging
  • Attend monthly coordinator meetings
  • Eligibility: health professional students
  • Assist in development of case management program for complex case patients identified by Puentes providers who require specialized care at outside institutions
  • Supervise a cohort of volunteers in provision of individual outreach and follow-up care projects
  • Work in direct partnership with Puentes’ Clinical Nurse Liaison and Director of Medical Education to identify needs for the patient population requiring specialized care
  • Attend monthly coordinator meetings
  • *Please note: This program is currently in the process of being revitalized after being on pause due to COVID-19 restrictions. This role will be fluid and may involve more planning and organization than implementation at this time
  • Eligibility: any level of education, age 18+
  • Support the Education team in weekly program operation. This may include tasks such as reviewing COVID-19 test result submissions, attendance tracking, and data entry.
  • Support Education team in onboarding new and returning program volunteers. This includes tracking new volunteers’ progress through the registration steps, checking volunteer clearances. and other documents in Puentesapp, and answering volunteers’ emails and related questions
  • Work closely with the Education team to identify additional program needs.
  • Advance other projects, such as research, donation tracking, new volunteer recruitment, etc. as needed.
  • Attend monthly coordinator meetings
  • Eligibility: health professional students
  • Oversee all graduate student coordinators and provide support and guidance as needed
  • Organize and run monthly meetings with coordinators and the Director of Medical Education
  • Recruit, select, and train new coordinators annually
  • Work closely with the Director of Medical Education to ensure programs are running smoothly, trouble-shoot as needed, and determine the direction for future programs
  • Attend Friday morning clinic meetings with clinic staff when possible
  • Eligibility: health professional students
  • Hold responsibility for recruiting and selecting new student volunteers
  • Hold orientation and training sessions for new volunteers each cycle (three times a year)
  • Respond to emails from interested volunteers informing them of volunteer opportunities
  • Communicate with organizations, community members, and other schools
  • Curate PuentesApp website and ensure volunteer registration and appropriate documentation is up to date for all volunteers
  • Assist various departments, including Education, Wellness, and Clinic to recruit volunteers for events throughout the year
  • Attend monthly coordinator meetings
  • Eligibility: any level of education, age 18+
  • Develop digital and in-person promotional campaigns responding to relevant community issues (such as nutrition, mental health, etc.) in collaboration with the Wellness and Promotora teams. This is an opportunity to be creative and think about the most pressing topics, and what formats will best inform and engage the community.
  • Support Wellness team in managing and onboarding new and returning Food Pharmacy volunteers. This includes making sure there is at least one volunteer per shift both Monday and Wednesday evening via PuentesApp, or if you are unable to recruit a volunteer, you will contact the Promotora Rosalinda to let her know no volunteers will be attending.
  • Work closely with Wellness Director to identify specific program needs
  • Advance other projects, such as research, donation tracking, etc. as needed
  • Attend monthly coordinator meetings