Social
Concerns
Summer Fellowship
Caridad Center
Volunteer Non US Citizen
Yes
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Location Details
Description
At Caridad Center, our mission is to uplift the health, education, and living standards of underserved children and families, with a vision of breaking the cycle of poverty in South Florida. As the largest free and charitable clinic in the state, we leverage the expertise of over 400 dedicated volunteer physicians and dentists to deliver 84,000 visits annually. We provide care directly to underserved communities in Palm Beach County, ensuring that essential services reach those who need them most. Joining us means becoming part of a transformative effort to create lasting, positive change in the lives of those we serve. Our mission is to upgrade the health, education, and living standards of underserved children and families.
Student Role
At Caridad Center, a student’s role primarily revolves around relational interactions with our patients, allowing them to directly impact the lives of those we serve. Daily activities include working in triage to take vital signs, administer assessments like PHQ-9 and AUDIT-C, perform EKGs, and conduct urine dipsticks. Students also assist at the back desk by managing patient check-outs, scheduling follow-up appointments, coordinating lab tests, and providing care summaries while guiding patients to case management. They help set up exam rooms, autoclave instruments, and assist with GYN procedures such as PAP smears, colposcopies, and LEEP procedures. Additional tasks include providing translation services to bridge communication between patients and providers, calling patients about missed labs and lab results, and scribing progress notes for doctors. Students may also support community education events organized by our other departments. Those interested in Dentistry will have the opportunity to be trained to assist the dentist and take X-rays. While relational tasks dominate the role, solitary tasks like paperwork and event preparation constitute a smaller portion of their duties, amounting to 8-10 hours per week.
Work Schedule
Students are expected to work 35-40 hours a week at Caridad Center, following a schedule from Tuesday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and on Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. This schedule provides students with two full days off each week, typically Monday and Sunday, to balance their commitments and personal time. The structured hours ensure a consistent and immersive experience while also offering designated free time for rest and other activities.
Orientation
Upon arrival at Caridad Center, students will undergo a comprehensive orientation process to ensure they are well-prepared for their roles. The first week includes an orientation with all departments, giving students an overview of our operations and introducing them to key staff members. Following this, students will receive specialized training in the Athena EMR system from Sandra, which will be a 4-hour session. Next, we will provide 2 hours of scribe training, focusing on the specifics of documenting patient interactions and medical notes. Students will also spend three days shadowing experienced scribes to gain hands-on experience. Additional training will be provided for each specific position the student will undertake, with a few days dedicated to each role to ensure thorough understanding and competence.
Housing Information
While Caridad Center does not offer on-site housing, students typically find accommodations in the nearby community. The surrounding area offers a variety of housing options, including apartments and shared housing, often within a short commute from our facility.
Start And End Dates
Eight consecutive weeks between May 17 and August 16, 2026