This page covers clinical experience and volunteering opportunities for New York high school students interested in healthcare careers, including hospital volunteer programs across the state, EMT certification, CNA training, physician shadowing, and community health volunteering.
Hospital Volunteer Programs
New York’s density of hospitals and health systems means that most students in the state can find a hospital volunteer program within reasonable commuting distance. Hospital volunteering provides exposure to the clinical environment, patient interaction, and a firsthand understanding of how healthcare teams function. Below are the major systems and their volunteer program structures.
NYU Langone Health: NYU Langone Hospital (Manhattan), NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn, and NYU Langone Hospital-Long Island operate volunteer programs for students age 16 and older. Roles vary by facility and department but may include patient support, information desk staffing, surgical waiting area assistance, and clinical department support. The Manhattan campus is one of the most competitive volunteer placements in the city due to demand. Apply early and be flexible about scheduling. Visit nyulangone.org and search for volunteer services at each campus.
NewYork-Presbyterian: NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital (Columbia University Irving Medical Center campus in Washington Heights and Weill Cornell campus on the Upper East Side), NewYork-Presbyterian Queens, NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist, and NewYork-Presbyterian Lower Manhattan all have volunteer programs. NYP is the largest hospital in New York City and one of the top-ranked hospitals in the country. Minimum age is typically 16. Contact the Volunteer Services department at each campus. Visit nyp.org.
Mount Sinai Health System: The Mount Sinai Hospital (East Harlem), Mount Sinai West, Mount Sinai Morningside, Mount Sinai Beth Israel, Mount Sinai Brooklyn, and Mount Sinai South Nassau (Long Island) accept volunteers through their respective Volunteer Services offices. Mount Sinai’s academic affiliation with the Icahn School of Medicine creates a research-oriented hospital culture that may provide exposure to clinical research alongside standard volunteer roles. Visit mountsinai.org.
Northwell Health: The largest healthcare system in New York State, Northwell operates 21 hospitals including North Shore University Hospital (Manhasset), Long Island Jewish Medical Center (New Hyde Park), Lenox Hill Hospital (Manhattan), Staten Island University Hospital, Southside Hospital (Bay Shore), and others across Long Island, New York City, and Westchester. Northwell has a centralized volunteer application process and structured programs for high school and college students. Visit northwell.edu.
Montefiore Health System (Bronx): Affiliated with the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore operates hospitals in the Bronx, Westchester, and the Hudson Valley. Montefiore serves one of the most diverse and medically underserved populations in the country, providing volunteer exposure to health disparities, community health challenges, and the social determinants of health. Visit montefiore.org.
Upstate Hospital Systems: Albany Medical Center (Capital Region), University of Rochester Medical Center and Rochester General Hospital (Western NY), Upstate University Hospital (Syracuse), and regional community hospitals across the state operate volunteer programs for local students. Competition for these positions is generally less intense than in NYC, and students may gain more direct patient interaction in smaller hospital settings.
Community Health Centers: Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) across New York provide primary care to underserved communities. Organizations like the Community Healthcare Network (NYC), Hudson River HealthCare (Hudson Valley), and regional FQHCs upstate accept volunteers for patient support, health education, and community outreach roles. Volunteering at a community health center provides exposure to primary care medicine, health disparities, and the social context of healthcare delivery. See our health equity page.
EMT Certification in New York
New York requires EMT-B candidates to be at least 18 years old to be certified by the New York State Department of Health, though some training programs accept students as young as 16 or 17 for coursework (they receive certification upon turning 18). This age requirement is higher than in some neighboring states (Connecticut allows certification at 16), so New York high school students who want EMT experience before age 18 should check whether their local training program allows early enrollment.
Where to train: EMT courses are available through CUNY campuses, SUNY campuses, FDNY (for NYC residents, FDNY sponsors EMT training through its EMS Academy), regional EMS training centers, volunteer fire departments, and commercial training organizations. Course length is approximately 150 to 200 hours. Costs range from $800 to $2,000 depending on the provider. Some volunteer ambulance services, particularly on Long Island, in Westchester, and in upstate communities, sponsor EMT training for members who commit to volunteering after certification.
After certification: Certified EMTs can volunteer with local ambulance corps (common on Long Island and in suburban/rural communities) or seek paid positions with commercial EMS agencies and hospital-based ambulance services. In New York City, FDNY EMS hires EMTs for paid positions. EMT experience provides some of the most substantial direct patient care available to young people and is highly valued by medical school admissions committees. See our EMT and Paramedic career page.
CNA Training and Other Clinical Certifications
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training programs are available throughout New York State. The New York State Department of Health approves CNA training programs that include classroom instruction and supervised clinical practice in nursing facilities. Some New York high schools with Health Science CTE programs include CNA preparation in their curriculum. Community colleges, BOCES centers, and private training organizations also offer CNA courses. After completing training, you must pass the New York State Nurse Aide competency exam to be placed on the Nurse Aide Registry. CNA positions in nursing homes, hospitals, and home health agencies provide hands-on patient care experience that PA programs particularly value.
Other entry-level clinical certifications available to New York high school students include phlebotomy technician (drawing blood for laboratory testing), medical assistant (clinical and administrative healthcare support), and patient care technician (hospital-based clinical assistance). These certifications provide clinical experience and income while you continue your education. See our Medical Assistant career page.
Physician Shadowing
Shadowing physicians allows you to observe clinical practice firsthand without the responsibilities of a volunteer or employee role. New York students can find shadowing opportunities through personal connections (your own physician, family friends in healthcare), school guidance counselors and pre-health clubs, hospital-based shadowing programs (some NYC and suburban hospitals offer structured programs), and direct outreach to physician practices. When requesting a shadowing opportunity, send a brief, professional email or letter explaining your interest and background. Aim to shadow in at least two different specialties to broaden your perspective on medical practice. See our Volunteering and Shadowing page.
Community Health Volunteering
New York offers abundant community health volunteering opportunities for high school students. American Red Cross Greater New York Region: Volunteer for blood drives, disaster preparedness, and health education. God’s Love We Deliver (NYC): Prepare and deliver meals to people living with serious illness. Special Olympics New York: Volunteer as event support or unified sports partner (specialolympics-ny.org). City Harvest (NYC): Rescue and deliver food to community programs addressing food insecurity. Habitat for Humanity NYC and affiliates statewide: Build affordable housing (age 16+ for construction, younger for non-build events). Alzheimer’s Association New York City Chapter: Support caregivers, participate in awareness walks, and volunteer at support programs. Track all volunteer hours from the beginning; these records will be valuable for college and professional school applications.
References
New York State Department of Health. “EMT Certification.” NYSDOH, 2025. https://www.health.ny.gov/. Accessed March 2026.
NYU Langone Health. “Volunteer Services.” NYU Langone, 2025. https://nyulangone.org/. Accessed March 2026.
Northwell Health. “Volunteer Programs.” Northwell, 2025. https://www.northwell.edu/. Accessed March 2026.