Care Extender Program

Welcome, Future Healthcare Professional!

The Care Extender Program offers a unique opportunity for volunteers to gain clinical experience and interact with patients, providing a firsthand understanding of the role of healthcare providers. As a Care Extender, you will have the chance to volunteer in various departments throughout the medical centers, assisting medical staff and gaining an insider's understanding of hospital operations.

Our program is highly respected, and Care Extenders are viewed as professional members of the patient care team. Through this program, you will gain invaluable "in-the-trenches" experience in a real hospital setting, which will help you determine your specific course for future studies in healthcare.

Many of our volunteers have found that working as a Care Extender has opened their eyes to the vast range of opportunities available in medical careers. One of our Care Extenders, Kendra Beckin, shares, "Labor and Delivery was such a powerful experience for me. It doesn't matter how many biology or physiology classes you take; they just can't prepare you for the experiences I've had since joining this program. The commitment I made to this program is the smartest decision I've made in my college career."

Join our program today and gain the clinical experience you need to jumpstart your career in healthcare!

Your Guide to the Care Extender Experience.

: Nationally Recognized Excellence: UCLA Health consistently shines on the national stage, celebrated as the #1 hospital in both California and Los Angeles. Its esteemed presence on the national honor roll for 34 consecutive years speaks volumes about its commitment to healthcare.
Deep Clinical Immersion: The Care Extender Program offers a firsthand dive into the clinical world. From direct patient interactions to rotations across diverse departments, you'll gain a comprehensive understanding of healthcare roles and operations.
Holistic Professional Growth: Care Extenders are integral members of the UCLA Health family. Beyond clinical exposure, the program nurtures essential soft and technical skills, preparing you for a promising career in healthcare.
Alumni Success Stories: Testimonials from alumni, like Kendra Beckin, highlight the transformative impact of the program. Such experiences often become defining moments, revealing the vast opportunities in the medical field.
Legacy of Excellence: Volunteering at UCLA Health means being part of a legacy. The institution's rich history of innovation and achievement ensures you're contributing to and learning from a tradition of unparalleled healthcare excellence.
: Must be 18 years or older at the time of orientation.
Currently attending college or college graduate.
United States Citizen, United States Permanent Resident (Green Card), DACA Student, or International: F-1 Visa (current full-time UCLA undergraduate students only)
If part of another UCLA Health volunteer program, must complete a minimum of 50 hours prior to applying to this program.
Ideal for pre-healthcare students, professionals considering a career shift, or those passionate about enhancing patient experiences.
: Commit to one 4 hour shift per weekly for a year.
Collaborate with department coordinators to tailor a schedule suiting your availability.
All Care Extenders undergo an additional greeters rotation during their initial phase, totaling six hours weekly.
: Attend a mandatory orientation (held in January, April, July, and October) by reservation.
If application accepted, attend an interview.
Upon interview acceptance, attend a comprehensive training day.
Ensure you are CPR certified by the American Heart Association, have completed a TB screening, and can provide proof of MMR and varicella vaccinations or titers by determined deadline.

Admissions Cycle

Spring 2025 Admissions

Orientations will be held via Zoom and interviews will be in-person. Please be sure to download the Zoom App onto your desktop or laptop. Please see below for more information about each event.

Orientation Information

There will be two (2) orientation sessions available for sign-up. Orientations will be held remotely via Zoom.

Session A: Tuesday, April 1st from 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Session B: Tuesday, April 1st from 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Register for only ONE Zoom session and include an email address that you check regularly. This email address will be used to send the application link and other important notices. Please note that space is limited and on a first come first serve basis. There will not be a waitlist.

4/1, 4:30-5:30 PM

Session A Sign-Up

4/1, 6:00-7:00 PM

Session B Sign-Up

Mailing List

Join Our Mailing List

Zoom Instructions

You will receive a confirmation for your registration. Please sign in to Zoom using the link provided in your confirmation email on time via desktop or laptop. Multiple device log-ins will not be permitted. Be sure to be in a location that has strong internet connectivity. Late arrivals will not be admitted into the Zoom. We will spend the first hour presenting about the program. The application link will be emailed to only orientation attendees after the last orientation session and will be due no later than Thursday, April 3rd at 12pm (NOON). Any applications submitted past the deadline will not be graded.

Important Disclaimer:

Proactive Application Process: We strongly recommend starting your application immediately upon receipt of the link. Our office frequently encounters a surge of last-minute queries and technical issues close to the deadline. Early initiation allows ample time for troubleshooting.
Support Hours: Our team is not available 24/7. Allocate sufficient time for our response to your queries. For application issues, capture a screenshot and submit it via the provided survey link. Avoid emailing multiple individuals in the program, as this impedes our ability to effectively track and resolve issues.
Late Troubleshooting Requests: Issues reported after 10 AM on the due date will result in your application being excluded. This policy ensures our team has adequate time to assist.
Guidance on Application Originality: We encourage applicants to approach each application cycle with fresh perspectives. While we recognize some candidates may have applied in previous cycles, it's important to reflect current ambitions and insights in your responses. Reusing answers from past applications might not fully capture your evolving perspectives or commitment to the program. We value applicants who demonstrate thoughtful engagement and a sincere interest in joining our community.

Your adherence to these guidelines is crucial for a fair and orderly application process. Thank you for your cooperation.

Application Issue? Contact Us!

Email Admissions

CareExtender@mednet.ucla.edu (Link opens in new window)

Key Dates and Deadlines

ACTIVITY	DATE	TIME
APPLICATION DEADLINE	April 3, 2025	12:00 PM
INTERVIEW ACCEPTANCE	April 4, 2025	5:00 PM
INTERVIEW DATES	April 8 & 9, 2025	Between 4 PM - 9 PM
PROGRAM ACCEPTANCE	April 11, 2025	5:00 PM
CLEARANCE DEADLINE	April 30, 2025	11:59 PM
TRAINING DAY	May 4, 2025	8:00 AM
ROTATION START DATE	May 12, 2025	-

Future Rotation Dates

ACTIVITY	SPRING 2025	SUMMER 2025
ORIENTATION	Week of March 30, 2025	Week of June 23, 2025
INTERVIEWS	Week of April 6, 2025	Week of July 7, 2025
TRAINING DAY	Sunday, May 4, 2025	Sunday, August 3, 2025
ROTATION START DATE	Monday, May 12, 2025	Monday, August 11, 2025

Contact Us

Admissions

CareExtender@mednet.ucla.edu (Link opens in new window)

Office Location

UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center
Care Extender Program
1328 16th St.2nd Floor
Santa Monica, California 90404

Office Line

(424) 259-8165(Link opens phone app)

Map & Directions