ASTEC’s Health Sciences Volunteer Program applications now open

My name is Kaitlin Swanson, and I am the volunteer coordinator for ASTEC’s Health Sciences Volunteer Program. Our volunteer application is now open for the spring semester. 

If you are not familiar with it, the Arizona Simulation, Technology, and Education Center (ASTEC) provides world class training opportunities for many, from new students to seasoned practitioners. Through high-tech, realistic simulation, as well as task trainers, virtual and augmented reality, ASTEC allows ample opportunity for hands on practice and assessment of medical skills. In the spring of 2019, ASTEC launched the Health Sciences Volunteer Program for undergraduate students interested in medicine, education, research, programming, and/or engineering. Each semester, we take on a new cohort of volunteers. Those who demonstrate professionalism, reliability, and good communication are invited to continue as an ASTEC volunteer and receive additional training for our education and research initiatives. As a member of the HSVP’s first cohort, this past year in the program has been truly valuable for me. Watching medical students and professionals train first hand, learning the inner-workings of the simulations, improving my own medical skills and teaching abilities, as well as working with an amazing team has been an unparalleled experience. 

The volunteer schedule by semester is as follows:

Semester 1: Equipment Inventory, Training Observation, Lab Chores, 2+ Skills Training Sessions 

(This is a weekly commitment ~1.5 hours per week)
Semesters 2-3: Mannequin Operation, Training Facilitation, Resetting Lab, Literature Reviews
Semesters 3+: Opportunities for research/teaching experience (This will be determined on an individual basis)

For those interested in engineering at ASTEC, you will also receive opportunities to work with Unity programming, VR/AR, artificial tissue design, and/or 3D printing.

If you would like to pursue this opportunity, please fill out the online application (https://forms.gle/oQUBzLJWQ34SRPiE8) by Friday, January 31st (it will close at 11:59 pm). After the application closes, all applicants will be emailed and some will receive an invitation to interview. After the interviews, all interviewees will be emailed and those selected for the program will be scheduled for volunteer orientation and training. 

Please see below for our HSVP brochure, which has some of the information I described above as well as some additional information. If you have any questions about the program or application process, please feel free to reach out to me at kaswanson@email.arizona.edu. 

Thank you!