Riverside University Health System

Health Coach Program

A competitive, year-long clinical volunteer program for students preparing for careers in medicine. You'll help patients set health goals, work alongside their care team, and earn 260 patient care hours.

See requirements See clinic locations

Professional growth and career development

“Health coaching helped me learn the type of doctor I want to be.”

Past health coach

What you'll gain

If you're planning to become a physician, this is a chance to learn medicine from inside a working clinic. Health coaches train with RUHS physicians, dietitians, and nutritionists, document in the electronic health record, and work directly with patients and their care teams. It asks more of you than a typical volunteer role, and you'll come away understanding how patient care really works.

260 patient care hours Earned at Community Health Centers across Riverside University Health System.
Training from RUHS clinicians Learn directly from RUHS physicians, dietitians, and nutritionists.
Real community impact Support care teams and patients in medically underserved communities in Riverside County.
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Hands-on training covers

  • Motivational interviewing and goal setting for patient care
  • Electronic health record documentation
  • Whole Person Health Score assessment
  • Communication and professionalism in healthcare settings

Eligibility and requirements

Admission to the Health Coach Program is competitive. Review the eligibility and application requirements below.

Training is mandatory. All finalists must be able to attend the required orientation and training sessions and complete onboarding between May and August to take part in the program.

Who can apply

You must be at least 18 years old and either:

  • A student who will have completed at least your third year of college by the end of spring semester or quarter, or
  • A recent graduate of any college or university

Applicants with strong ties to Riverside County are encouraged to apply. You can show a strong connection to the region by having completed high school, attended college, worked, or lived here.

What to submit

  • An online application, including short essays
  • Your resume
  • Unofficial transcripts, with a minimum 3.0 GPA in biology, chemistry, physics, and math
  • One letter of recommendation from an undergraduate faculty member, pre-health advisor, mentor, or employer who can speak to your character and professionalism

Interviews

Selected applicants must pass interviews, including Mini Medical Interviews.

Questions about eligibility or application requirements? Email Maria Alfaro at Maria.Alfaro@ruhealth.org.

Your program year

The program is a one-year commitment. After your first year, you can choose to volunteer for another.

June: Onboarding

Complete RUHS onboarding.

August: Training

Required on-site training led by RUHS staff.

Sept 1 to June 30: Clinic

Volunteer at your assigned health center, with ongoing training through the year.

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Time commitment

Volunteer 8 hours a week (or 32 a month), Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Shifts are either one full day or two morning or afternoon shifts. You'll arrange your schedule with your clinic's manager, based on that clinic's hours.

Coaches are expected to complete at least 260 hours between September and June 30.

What health coaches do

This is a volunteer role, but it requires a high degree of professionalism.

With patients

  • Help patients set goals using motivational interviewing
  • Identify barriers that keep patients from forming or completing goals
  • Provide health education using pre-approved clinic materials
  • Set up weekly follow-ups with patients
  • Refer patients to health education classes at their clinic
  • Help patients connect with basic resources and services

With the care team

  • Act as a liaison between the patient and their care team
  • Refer patients back to dietitians, nurses, or primary care providers for any medical concern
  • Enter clinical measurements, visit summaries, and goals in the health record
  • Stay current on health record protocols and documentation

Program requirements

  • Complete RUHS onboarding, summer training, and ongoing training
  • Attend mandatory meetings and trainings
  • Be available by phone or for in-office visits throughout your shifts
  • Tell your supervisor, clinic leads, and clinic managers about schedule changes promptly

Clinic locations

Program administration and clinic sites assign each coach to a Community Health Center. You can share a preferred location, but placement isn't guaranteed.

Banning Express Clinic 940 E Williams Street
Banning, CA 92220 		View Clinic
Corona Express Clinic 2813 S. Main St
Corona, CA 92882 		View Clinic
Eucalyptus 23990 Eucalyptus Ave., Suite 28
Moreno Valley, CA 92553 		View Clinic
Hemet 880 N. State Street
Hemet, CA 92543 		View Clinic
Indio 47-923 Oasis St.
Indio, CA 92201 		View Clinic
Jurupa Valley 8876 Mission Blvd.
Jurupa Valley, CA 92509 		View Clinic
Lake Elsinore Express Clinic 2499 E. Lakeshore Drive
Lake Elsinore, CA 92530 		View Clinic
Medical Surgical Center Family Care Clinic Express Clinic 26600 Cactus Ave. Suite #300
Moreno Valley, CA 92555 		View Clinic
Mobile Health Clinic View Clinic
Moreno Valley Express Clinic 23520 Cactus Ave.
Moreno Valley, CA 92553 		View Clinic
Palm Springs Express Clinic 191 North Sunrise Way
Palm Springs, CA 92262 		View Clinic
Perris 308 E. San Jacinto Ave.
Perris, CA 92570 		View Clinic
Perris Valley 450 E. San Jacinto Ave.
Perris, CA 92570 		View Clinic
Riverside Neighborhood Express Clinic 7140 Indiana Ave.
Riverside, CA 92504 		View Clinic
Rubidoux 5256 Mission Blvd.
Riverside, CA 92509 		View Clinic

View all RUHS clinics on a map