LIJ prep

Why do you want to volunteer at Long Island Jewish Medical Center?

• It would be particularly meaningful for me to volunteer at this hospital, develop patient engagement skills, and confirm that a career in medicine is the right path for me. 

• I had the opportunity to spend a few weeks at LIJ while my grandpa was hospitalized in the MICU. 

• I was deeply inspired by the staff's empathy and care and I hope to learn from more healthcare providers like them and, one day, care for patients with the same compassion and dedication. 

• I would especially value a volunteer role that involves Substantial patient interaction, so I can contribute positively to patients' experiences and give back the same kindness my grandpa received.

At LIJ, our core values of caring, excellence, innovation and integrity serve as the foundation for the mission and ultimate vision of Northwell Health: “Be better tomorrow than we are today.”

*in your mission statement it mentions the quote be better tmr than we r today and this is something that resonates with me and something i try to live by

As part of Northwell, we strive to improve the health of the communities we serve and are committed to providing the highest quality clinical care, educating the current and future generations of health care professionals, searching for new advances in medicine through biomedical research, promoting health education, and caring for the entire community, regardless of the ability to pay.

strength? weakness?

weakness:

Limited clinical experience (but eagerness to learn)
“As someone without much clinical experience, I know I have a lot to learn in a hospital setting. But—I’m very open to feedback, eager to learn, and committed to improving quickly by observing and asking questions.”

What type of volunteer work do you want to do

I’m especially interested in palliative care, patient and family ambassador, and emergency department liaison roles because each one allows me to support patients and families in meaningful, direct ways during critical moments.

• Palliative care appeals to me because it focuses on providing comfort and emotional support, which I think is just as important as medical treatment.

• The patient and family ambassador role stands out because it emphasizes communication and helping families feel informed and supported, which can make a big difference in their overall experience.

• I’m also interested in the emergency department liaison position because it involves working in a fast-paced environment where I can help ease stress and improve communication during urgent situations.

• Overall, these roles align with my goal of gaining firsthand experience in patient-centered care while making a positive impact on both patients and their families.

do you have any questions for me?

is there a particular quality you saw in a volunteer that really stood out to you and do you have any advice you wish you knew sooner?

what are the requirements of this program?

• Min three to four hours a week for a total of one year (or 100 hours of service). You must be able to commit to coming in on a weekly basis, same day/time. Adult volunteers are accepted on an ongoing basis.

• Applicants must attend a mandatory volunteer orientation, receive medical clearance and those 18 and older must complete and clear a background screening before they can begin their assignment.

what are the most important qualities of a volunteer

• Volunteers must meet the standards of patient- and family-centered care: professional, courteous, compassionate and respectful.

(Volunteers should be caring, compassionate and committed to making a difference in patients' lives.

This is an opportunity to use your unique talents and skills to provide a meaningful and satisfying experience while gaining valuable exposure to the health care industry.)

What inspired your interest in healthcare?

Even as an econ major, i definitely realized i have a science brain more than an econ brain. I enjoy science and i eventually want to do a drs without borders type of thing after experiencing what it was like not to have access to proper healthcare in another country

What do you hope to gain from this experience?

I hope to gain patient care experience in a hospital setting and confirm that this is the type of environment I want to work in long term. I also look forward to learning as much as I can from healthcare professionals and developing skills that will help me grow in the field.

hope to gain fulfilment

Tell me about yourself.

Hi my name is Grace I’m currently a senior econ major on the pre-med track at binghamton university

Why should we choose you as a volunteer?

• I should be very free after graduating so I should be able to commit a lot of my time here 

• Im very receptive to feedback and learned skills of effective communication, problem solving, and patience through my leadership positions in various student organizations as well as my time as a volunteer for an assisted living center 

• I would bring passion and enthusiasm for this position. It would mean a lot to me to give back to the hospital that did it’s best to take care of my grandpa. The staff left a great impression on my family and im eager to learn from them if given the opportunity 

How many hours can you commit each week?

I would have graduated by then so I would love to commit 8 hours a day about 5x a week

How will you balance volunteering with school/work?

As of right now I do not have any other commitments and I just want to focus on gaining clinical experience in a hospital setting

Can you describe a time you showed responsibility or reliability?

 As one of the educational chairs of my schools APAMSA i showed responsibility and reliability by planning, researching, and budgeting for educational events while communicating updates and itineraries with our executive board and any external organizations also involved

Tell me about a time you worked as part of a team.

• Ive been on many team based environments such as BJJ, APAMSA, KASA, research group, research mentee group. 

  • For KASA banquet did my role as treasurer and upper board and worked for months with our 25 eboard members, external organizations, sound/lighting to make our event come into fruition 

How would you handle a disagreement with another volunteer or staff member?

I would first reflect on my actions and the situation.

I would stay calm and respectful, and listening to their perspective to understand the issue. I would communicate my point clearly and try to find a solution that supports the team and patient care. If we couldn’t resolve it, I would involve a supervisor to ensure it’s handled appropriately.

Describe a time you helped someone in need.

Helped a blind person cross the street because they couldnt see where the turn started. Guided them to their dorm door

How would you interact with a nervous or upset patient?

I would speak calmly and try to calm the patient

and give reassurance if necessary and make their safety and the safety of others my priority.

What would you do if a patient asked you for medical advice?

I would say that I’m a volunteer but I can find someone more knowledgeable to address their concerns

How do you show compassion in difficult situations?

I put myself in the other person’s shoes and empathize with them

and show kindness and provide comfort where i can

What would you do if you saw something that made you uncomfortable or seemed wrong?

I would inform my superior

How would you handle a stressful or fast-paced environment?

• For a fast paced environment, i would have a mental list of priorities and complete my tasks in order of importance while making sure i have good time management 

• For stressful situations, i first would consider if the stressor is something i can change. If not, I would try to move past it. If I can do something about it I would reflect on the situation to first decide if it’s worth stressing over or if it’s something i can change my perspective on. I try to be optimistic and have a positive outlook on life

If a patient or visitor was rude to you, how would you respond?

I would try to be patient, deescalate the situation, and help them find a solution to their problem

Why is confidentiality important in a hospital setting?

It protects patients’ privacy and helps build trust, allowing them to feel safe sharing personal information. It also ensures we follow legal and ethical standards like HIPAA.

• What does professionalism mean to you?

Being respectful, reliable, and responsible while maintaining a positive attitude and communicating effectively. It also involves showing empathy and representing the organization well.

How would you handle sensitive information?

I would keep all sensitive information private, only share it with authorized staff, and avoid discussing it in public. If I’m ever unsure, I would ask a supervisor to ensure I handle it correctly