Teens Learning in the Community (TLC) - St. Louis

Teen Hospital Volunteer Program

Mercy Hospital in St. Louis offers Teens Learning in the Community (TLC), a summer volunteer program that offers a unique opportunity to combine service and education for students, 16 years and older, interested in pursuing a career in the medical field. The TLC program fosters a commitment to volunteering, offers valuable insight into a variety of health care professions and provides the opportunity to experience multiple areas of the hospital. Additionally, this experience cultivates a sense of leadership, team building and confidence in the participants

About the TLC Program

The TLC volunteers will interact with medical professionals such as doctors, nurses, techs, and therapists to see first-hand, the inner workings of Mercy Hospital St. Louis. The teens will also explore non-clinical positions, such as administration and clerical, to learn more about what it takes for a hospital to successfully serve its patients. Each day, the teens will be invited to a Lunch and Learn lecture where guest speakers will share information about their jobs at Mercy and their experience in the medical field, as well as offer advice on how to pursue a medical career. During these Lunch and Learns, students will take tours of hospital facilities, such as the telemedicine area. These tours show the teens how medical technology and equipment help save lives.

At the heart of the TLC Program is each student’s desire to serve his or her community. Student volunteers will spend the majority of each day assisting Mercy staff in the care of our patients and visitors. These positions will rotate, providing each teen with the opportunity to experience the many different patient care areas at Mercy Hospital. The volunteer roles could include working in pediatrics, delivering patient mail, directing visitors through the hospital or simply providing a listening ear during a stressful time in a patient’s life. The teens will rotate through four different departments, building on their skills, experience and responsibilities.

Program Schedule

The TLC program will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays from June 4th through July 25th, 9 am-3 pm. There will be a break the week of July 4th where we will not have volunteers. Required dates where all volunteers must attend orientation are June 4th, 6th, and 11th. Students are allowed two absences during the program outside of the July 4th holiday week. The last day of the program will be July 25th.

Application & Onboarding Requirements

Complete and turn in the TLC application, questionnaire (found under the TLC Summer Volunteer Program Resources tab on the left of this page), and letter of recommendation from a teacher, coach, counselor, or another school contact by February 14th, 2024. When onboarding as a volunteer at Mercy Hospital St. Louis you will be required to provide proof of an initial COVID vaccine (boosters are not required at this time) during the health screening process with our Co-Worker Health department.

College Students

College students (current college freshmen and up) who are interested in participating in TLC as a counselor are invited to call the volunteer office at 314-251-6180 for more information and opportunities for involvement.

For more information about the Mercy TLC program, please call 314-251-6180.