CUHS Volunteers

Please note that we do not recruit for the Health Sciences volunteer programs. Participation is by invitation only, extended by a UCLA faculty member or an approved staff sponsor.

The CUHS Program facilitates onboarding and clearance for invited students and eligible individuals to engage in clinical research or quality improvement projects, administrative initiatives, and educational volunteer programs. It also manages the clearance process for those invited to participate in one of our Approved Formalized Shadowing Programs. Eligibility and acceptance into the program are determined by the respective departments and the UCLA Health Sciences Volunteer Office. Priority consideration is given to UCLA undergraduate students.

Research volunteer opportunities are designed primarily for undergraduate students, offering an introductory experience in research and supporting their pre-health academic development. These opportunities take place on the Health Sciences campus under the close supervision of UCLA faculty and staff.

Before beginning the clearance process, please review the Volunteer Eligibility Requirements.

According to the Shadowing Policy:

• Individual volunteers or students—including UCLA SRP Students—are not permitted to shadow UCLA health professionals as part of their volunteer or student role, even if a health professional offers or agrees to the shadowing request.
• Shadowing is only allowed through a UCLA Health/DGSOM Formalized and Approved Shadowing Program, and must occur during a designated and assigned shift.

Each approved shadowing program is specific to a department or specialty. Please review the program descriptions and available opportunities before applying. Observation shifts are scheduled and approved by the program’s supervisors or coordinators.

These programs may also be listed as Clinical UCLA Health Sciences “Assignments” and have their own recruitment and acceptance processes, which typically include an information session outlining their shadowing role within UCLA Health. Once accepted, participants will receive instructions on how to complete the clearance process.

Please note: The Volunteer Office does not offer shadowing opportunities.

Instead of shadowing, we strongly encourage students to pursue longer-term, hands-on experiences involving patient interaction in clinical settings—such as through the Care Extenders Program or the General Student Volunteer Program. However, please be aware that these programs are not considered Approved Shadowing Programs.

• "Clinical Activities": activities that will involve ANY of the following:
  • Patient or human research subject contact/interaction
  • Access to or handle any identifiable/clinical/medical information
  • Perform any duties involving activity within clinical settings and areas (i.e. hospital, clinics, waiting rooms, etc.)

APPLICANTS: You must be officially invited by the inviting supervisor (UCLA Health Sciences Staff/Faculty) and receive an Opportunity Link via email to sign up for their Volunteer Assignment. (Click here for an example of an Opportunity Link)

• Before Proceeding, please check for volunteer status eligibility.
• New CUHS Volunteer Applicants: You will be prompted to complete the Prescreening and On-Boarding process.
• Existing CUHS Volunteers: You will be prompted to update your Prescreening information to ensure eligibility and complete any missing On-Boarding requirements before the CUHS Program Coordinator can approve and place you with the supervisor’s assignment.

INVITING SUPERVISORS: Must be a UCLA Health Sciences Employee (may not be an undergraduate student worker or contractor/contingent worker).

• Before Proceeding, please read the Volunteer Guidelines. 
• Please click here for instructions (via UCLA Health Box).  (Click here for an example of what an Opportunity Link would entail)
  • Please use your Mednet Login to access the document, if you are unable to access this, please contact our staff ([email protected]).
  • During the summer and beginning of the academic quarter, we receive higher than usual volunteer requests. Thank you for your patience as we review them and get back to you as soon as we can.

What to Expect

• Applicants may preview the Clinical UCLA Health Sciences Volunteer Requirements to help expedite the process and prepare for the On-Boarding Process. 
• Once your supervisor's Opportunity form is approved, you (applicant) will receive a link to the Opportunity which you must "sign up" to apply for On-Boarding to start. Please see How to Manual Here. 
• Turnaround time from On Boarding to Final Session is typically 1-2 weeks (with no delays from background checks, other clearance items, and/or other approvals).
• The Sign-Up for an On-Boarding Follow-Up will not be available until all of the requirements are completed and verified by our coordinators.
• After the On-Boarding Follow-Up, you are required to complete the Orientation Quiz to finalize the clearance process.