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Volunteer Services

Teens in Action

Mission

To provide relevant educational, work-based opportunities for academically accelerated high school students who have elected to further their education in the medical field
To work collaboratively with local school systems by providing mentors and medical personnel who will guide and encourage dedicated high school students who desire future employment in a medical setting
To promote an environment where leadership development is recognized and encouraged

Vision

Provide accelerated, medical-track students with experiences that will allow them to discern the particular medical field which they wish to enter, while also increasing the numbers of individuals who will attend nursing, medical, or other health related programs and eventually alleviate the shortage of medical personnel in critical areas.

Demographics

The Teens in Action Program accepts students from Carroll County, Douglas County, Oak Mountain Academy, Haralson, Paulding County, and Ranburne, AL, depending on availability of space. Size is limited to 20 students per year.

Site Criteria

All of which are weighted in the selection process:

Academic achievement of a GPA of 3.5 optimal, but may still be considered at 3.2
Leadership involvement in school and the community
Enthusiasm, interest, motivation, maturity level will be heavily weighed in a required essay and interview
Letters of recommendation from school and community leaders
An interview with members of the Teens in Action Advisory Council
Outstanding achievements and/or certifications

General Criteria

Must be a high school senior or junior.
Priority consideration will be given to students in the Work-Based Learning (WBL) program and those who are currently enrolled in, or who have had multiple Health Occupation classes. If slots are still open after these students are accepted, other applications may be considered.
Minimum of 3.5 GPA preferred. Other characteristics may be considered if a GPA is less than 3.5, however, it cannot be less than 3.2.
Students must be pre-screened by the WBL program coordinator at the school attended. Students cleared by the WBL coordinator will be referred on to be interviewed by the Director of Volunteer Services who is the Program Supervisor.

Application Requirements

Teens in Action application
Two letters of recommendation from academic leaders in the school system and two from community leaders— i.e., a youth minister, pastor, civic leader, etc. None can be family members.
Student must submit a one-page essay on why they would like to be a part of this program, what traits, skills and attributes they have that would make them a good candidate and why they feel they should be chosen.
Must be willing to work the agreed upon schedule during the entire senior year. Repeated violations—i.e., not following his or her schedule—may result in dismissal from the program.
Students must submit proof of the following immunizations: tuberculosis (TB) test (costs covered by the hospital), rubella/rubeola/measles, varicella and hepatitis B (costs to be covered by the parent or guardian). Influenza shots are strongly encouraged for all individuals providing service in the healthcare environment. Parents must sign a permission form for the TB test.
Must participate in orientation on required areas of infection control, safety, biohazard chemicals, safety, codes, OSHA regulations, diversity, confidentiality and compliance, ethical behavior, service standards, professional behavior and attire while on the job.

Site Assignments

Assignments are a collaborative effort between the director of Volunteer Services and the student. A range of sites is encouraged to expose the students to all aspects of hospital operations. Students may choose to rotate assignments every semester. Days of service by the students can vary from three to five days per week. Those in the Work-Based Learning program must comply with the requirements of their respective school systems. Students are not placed in positions in lieu of a regular employee job. A minimum average workday must be at least three hours. The TIAs are allowed to shadow/observe all approved areas of patient care according to their level of skills completed and documented verification on file with the student application. Any areas that require special authorizations i.e. surgery, labor and delivery will have the signed authorizations from parents for students to participate.

Supervision

There will be a site supervisor in each area of assignment who is responsible for the student’s on-site work performance. The Director of Volunteer Services is responsible for the selection of students, assignments, liaisons with site supervisors and parents, and is also responsible overall for the student’s well being in total collaboration with the Work Based Learning coordinators.

Work Site Options

The work site options include any Tanner hospital, outpatient service or physician practice with opportunities available that will benefit the student and the facility. Permission forms must be signed by patients for students to do any observation of patient care or treatment. Permission forms also must be signed by patients in certain environments.

Advisory Council

An advisory council will be comprised of: two students who are currently in the program or who have just completed the program; the Director of Volunteer Services; at least one THC manager who utilizes the TIA students in their environment; and the Carroll County WBL coordinator. The council will meet as needed to provide guidance, direction, make recommendations and, at the end of the year, evaluate overall success, make necessary changes in operation and celebrate success. Finally the Advisory Council will interview all prospective applicants.

Confidentiality in health care

This is a HIPPA requirement and must be clearly understood by student and parents. All information concerning a patient is strictly confidential. Volunteers, as well as hospital employees, have an obligation to refrain from discussing any information relating to a patient’s illness or treatment except as related to performance of a volunteer assignment. Volunteers must sign a Protected Health Information and Confidentiality Agreement for Volunteers. Parents must sign the “Parent Statement of Understanding” section within the Teens in Action Volunteer Application to refrain from asking their child questions that would cause a violation on their part in regards to confidentiality. The Statement further states if they hear their child violating information, they will immediately call this to their attention. Intentional or involuntary violation on the part of the student may result in immediate dismissal from the program.

Certificate of Completion

Students who complete the program will earn a GA DOL Best Certification Certificate of Completion of the Accelerated Medical Career Track at Tanner Medical Center.

How to apply for Teens in Action

Download, print, fill out and sign all four forms listed below. Scan and send the completed forms to jwheeler@tanner.org as an e-mail attachment or mail the forms to: Tanner Health System, Volunteer Services Department, 705 Dixie Street, Carrollton, GA 30117.