Additional Educational Opportunities
The UT Southwestern Spine Center provides opportunities for high school graduates and college students to advance their knowledge through internships and volunteer experiences.
In both programs, students learn about spinal diseases and disorders. They also have the opportunity to establish mentoring relationships with physicians, nurses, researchers, and health care managers in specialties including neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and anesthesiology/pain management.
For more information, please contact our research coordinator, Kristen Hall, at 214-645-0630 or Kristen.Hall@utsouthwestern.edu.
Internship Program
By providing relevant hands-on health care and research experience, the Spine Clinic Internship Program gives college students an opportunity to enhance and apply what they’re learning in their academic programs while working in a health service organization.
This year-long paid internship is a part-time (approximately 20 hours a week) structured work experience. Students pursuing a degree in health care are encouraged to apply.
Internship Program Objectives
- Enable students to learn more about health care, health-related outcomes, and research
- Give students the opportunity to develop a sense of responsibility for their continued learning by working independently and collaboratively within the parameters of an internship experience
- Familiarize students with the experiences related to the process of seeking employment
- Learn the processes and regulatory requirements of research activities
The internship gives students a close look at the day-to-day operations of a health care facility and provides them with an opportunity to observe health care personnel, as well as assist with data collection and research activities. Students can be actively involved using basic skills of communication, problem solving, relationship management, and information analysis.
Student Volunteer Program
The Spine Center Student Volunteer Program provides high school graduates and college student volunteers with an opportunity to enhance and apply what they’re learning in their academic programs.
This unpaid program offers relevant hands-on health care and research experience in a health care facility to students who otherwise would not have the opportunity to work before completing a degree.
Student Volunteer Program Objectives
- Enable volunteers to learn more about health care, health-related outcomes, and research
- Give students the opportunity to develop a sense of responsibility for their continued learning by working collaboratively within the parameters of a volunteer experience
- Familiarize students with the experiences related to the process of seeking employment
Volunteers have the opportunity to observe and assist research employees in the Spine Center using basic skills of communication, problem-solving, data analytics, and relationship management in their work.
Students can also attend group meetings to discuss journal articles, basic spine anatomy, spine procedures, and ask questions about health care professions, research, and any other topics of interest.
Requirements
- Age 18 or older
- Background check
- HIPAA training
- Campus orientation
UTSW Volunteer Services can arrange for the completion of all requirements.
In addition, we expect:
- Clear agreement about requirements and the type of experience being provided
- Open line of communication between the volunteer and the program supervisor/mentor
