By Scott Fitzgerald
They don’t get paid for the hours they work.
What they get instead are advantages that pay bigger dividends for their future career paths.
Both St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center and Integris Bass Baptist Health Center offer volunteer work programs for teenagers up to age 18 or the senior level of high school.
What are the dividends?
The hospitals provide scholarship money as these young people pursue higher education degrees.
“This is a win-win scenario for both parties,” said Bob Brice, director of radiology at St. Mary’s, about utilizing teen volunteers in his department. “They learn and we get good help on our backlog. They do a good job for us.”
One of Brice’s teen volunteers is Korey Chick, 17, son of Terry and Sheryl Chick. Korey attends Enid High School and the opportunity he’s getting at St. Mary’s has cemented much of his future planning.
“I’m pursuing radiology at the vo-tech (Autry Technology Center). I want to work as a technician for two years and get certified. Then I’m going to pursue a four-year degree,” Chick said.
Ashley Hicks, 17, also works in the radiology department. The daughter of Shirley Hicks, she attends Waukomis High School and wants to become a physical therapist.
Across town, the situation is similar at Integris Bass Baptist Health Center.
Laura Good and Makenzie Kirk are both 15 and ninth graders at Emerson Junior High School.
They worked in the hospital’s nutrition department last summer and are planning on doing the same again when the school year finishes.
Laura wants to become a forensics scientist. She is the daughter of Martin and Charla Good.
Makenzie is eyeing the pediatric field. She is the daughter of Steve and Darla Kirk.
“They get a good look at clinical and administrative functions here in the hospital,” Carolyn Holden, director of volunteer services at Bass.
Strict guidelines are adhered to in the teen volunteer program. Each hospital explains the strict confidentiality laws regarding patient identity and rights.
“They don’t go into patient rooms. Each area has individual training also,” Holden said.
Teens undergo employee health checks, such as tuberculosis skin tests.
“You get a taste of a lot things. These volunteer positions can serve as a stepping stone and helps young people get their foot in the door,” Brice said.
