Optometry, Ophthalmology, Pharmacy and Dentistry
Optometry
Organization: Private Offices
Location: Davis, Sacramento, Vacavill and Woodland
Description: Responsibilities vary among optometrists, most students will have the opportunity to assist with patient eyeglass fitting, educate patients about contact lens fitting and selection, help the optometrist with front office responsibilities (filing, phone calls, patient charts), and conduct peripheral vision testing. Volunteers will observe eye exams, daily operations of how an office is managed, and will be able to discuss current optometry topics with the doctor. For more information from a volunteer’s perspective, check out what they wrote in our binder of student reports in Room 205 South Hall.
Student Comments: "My first responsibility was to learn how the filing system worked. I soon learned how [patients'] files were separated and which ones I needed to worry about. With a few weeks under my belt and a general understanding of how the office was run, [the optometrist] asked me if I wanted to begin to pre-test patients before he would take them into the test room. I was very excited to have the opportunity to interact with patients, especially being given the responsibility to be allowed to write in patients' files."
How to Apply: Apply online using H&BS Clinical/Hospital On-Line Sign-ups at http://hbs.ucdavis.edu/lotsignup.htm.
Class level: All
Schedule: 4 hrs/week
Quarters Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer (10 weeks)
Ophthalmology
Organization: UCD Medical Center
Location: Sacramento
Description: Students will work closely with an ophthalmologist - observing eye exams, assisting in the daily operations of the clinic, and learning about diseases associated with the eye.
Student Comments: "Because I had told the physicians that I was preparing for a pharmacy career, they tried to incorporate the medications that they used for infection, surgery, and different treatments of retinal problems whenever they discussed cases. Besides learning about different retinal problems, I also learned about the treatment for abnormal blood vessel growth - steroid treatment and laser treatment. I had the chance to observe and assist in both processes."
Requirements: Attend mandatory registration through the Internship & Career Center and UCD Medical Center orientation. Proof of Rubella and Rubella vaccination, and current TB Test must be shown at UCDMC orientation.
How to Apply: Apply online using H&BS Clinical/Hospital On-Line Sign-ups at http://hbs.ucdavis.edu/lotsignup.htm.
Class level: All
Schedule: 4 hrs/week; TBA
Quarters Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
Pharmacy
Organization: Clinical and Retial Pharmacies
Location: Davis, Sacramento, Woodland and Stockton
Description: UC Davis student volunteers have many opportunities to investigate what a career in pharmaceuticals might hold. Retail and clinical pharmacies are located in Davis, Winters, Woodland, and Sacramento. Students may be able to observe pharmacists providing drug and dosage information to patients. Students may also learn about drug therapy, as well as the logistics of maintaining a pharmacy. Some possible duties may include assisting in drug or supply stocking, taking orders over the phone, filing patient records, and becoming familiar with common brands and names of medications. Take a look at our student reports to find out what they had to say about being pharmacy interns!
Student Comments: " As a retail pharmacy intern, I contributed to the operation of the pharmacy by completing a variety of tasks, which span from processing paperwork to assisting customers. Paperwork usually consisted of filing away prescription forms and customer-signature receipts. At times, it required use of the computer to update customer information and prescription order status. I aided with inventory control by sorting through overdue prescriptions and processing them to go back onto the shelves. My tasks also included straightening shelves and putting away bottles of medicine after the pharmacist has used them to fill prescription orders. I was also assigned the responsibility of calling customers to notify them of the availability of their prescription orders."
Requirements: Attend mandatory registration through the Internship & Career Center and UCD Medical Center orientation. Proof of Rubella and Rubella vaccination, and current TB Test must be shown at UCDMC orientation.
How to Apply: Apply online using H&BS Clinical/Hospital On-Line Sign-ups at http://hbs.ucdavis.edu/lotsignup.htm.
Class level: All
Schedule: 4 hrs/week; TBA
Quarters Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
Dentistry Clinical/Office
Location: Davis, Sacramento, and Woodland
Description: Duties are dependant on the supervising dentist. Possible duties include assisting in sterilization of equipment, front office work (filing patient charts, calling patients to confirm appointments, etc.), learning to identify and use dental instruments, and developing x-rays. During the quarter students will have a chance to observe procedures performed by a dentist or dental assistant, how a practice/clinic is managed, and how patients are educated about dental hygiene. Look at our student reports to further explore what a dental internship entails!
Student Comments: "The first day of the internship began on a fast pace, where I was required to learn on the go. For instance, even something that sounds as remedial as cleaning up a room after a patient was somewhat neve-racking at first. Cleaning was nerve racking because certain nuances, such as disinfecting the operating area to simply changing the covers on the light-handle had to be accomplished to esnure proper sterilization for the next patient. In addition to cleaning and sterilizing the rooms, tools used had to be taken over to the autoclave and cleaned. When I was not cleaning a room, I was observing the dentist perfrom his duties. More often than not, I observed over the shoulder of the dental assistant seated across from the dentist. The experience was surreal at first because I was no longer the person sitting in the chair. Oce in a while, I would observe over the shoulder of the dentist. An aspect I enjoyed at the clinic was teaching oral hygiene to younger kids who would periodically arrive at the clinic."
Requirements: Attend mandatory registration through the Internship & Career Center and UCD Medical Center orientation. Proof of Rubella and Rubella vaccination, and current TB Test must be shown at UCDMC orientation.
How to Apply: Apply online using H&BS Clinical/Hospital On-Line Sign-ups at http://hbs.ucdavis.edu/lotsignup.htm.
Class level: All
Schedule: 4 hrs/week; TBA
Quarters Offered: FalL & Spring ONLY
Oral Surgery
Location: Davis, Sacramento and Woodland
Description: Possible duties include setting up surgical trays, washing instruments, and sterilizing instruments. Students will have opportunities to observe patient/doctor interaction, pre-surgery consultation, and various oral surgery procedures. These volunteer positions are recommended for students with dental internship experience.
Student Comments: "The doctor and his staff have always been so nice and I never had a problem working in the office. Every week I would look forward to going to my internship because I had such a great learning experience. The dental assistants were friendly and easygoing and whenever I had a question, I wasn't intimidated to ask. Because of my experience as an intern for this practice, I am self-assured in my decision to pursue dentistry as a career."
Requirements: Attend mandatory registration through the Internship & Career Center and UCD Medical Center orientation. Proof of Rubella and Rubella vaccination, and current TB Test must be shown at UCDMC orientation.
How to Apply: Apply online using H&BS Clinical/Hospital On-Line Sign-ups at http://hbs.ucdavis.edu/lotsignup.htm.
Class level: All
Schedule: 4 hrs/week; TBA
Quarters Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
Dental Laboratory
Location: Davis and Sacramento
Description: Dental laboratory internships offer exciting hands-on learning for students with dental internship experience and a desire to assist personnel in constructing different models.
Requirements: Attend mandatory registration through the Internship & Career Center and UCD Medical Center orientation. Proof of Rubella and Rubella vaccination, and current TB Test must be shown at UCDMC orientation.
Student Comments: "I really had no idea what to expect before this internship. I didn't really know what dental labs do. All I knew is that I like art and I heard that we would be able to wax up teeth during the internship. What I received was much more than waxing teeth. I really enjoyed the quarter. The people were amazingly friendly and the atomosphere welcomed learning. I felt that everyone was very willing to explain the procedures and not only what they were doing, but more importantly - why they were doing it. I really had no idea how much goes into making a crown or a bridge. Each piece took so much time and focus. I know that this is the kind of profession that requires not only dexterity, but patience and precision. In this way, my experience at the dental lab has strengthened my desire to become a dentist. I really enjoyed working with my hands, and though trial and error, succeeding in the wax up of a molar and bicuspid."
How to Apply: Apply online using H&BS Clinical/Hospital On-Line Sign-ups at http://hbs.ucdavis.edu/lotsignup.htm.
Class level: Junior and Senior Females ONLY
Schedule: 4 hrs/week; TBA
Quarters Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer