Hospital Internships: A Step-By-Step Guide To Success

Hospital internships are a great way to gain experience in the healthcare field and explore different medical roles. They are often sought after by students or recent graduates pursuing a career in medicine or healthcare. Hospital interns can take on various roles, including administration, clinical, and pre-med positions, gaining valuable hands-on experience and exposure to healthcare routines. To secure a hospital internship, it is recommended to start searching early, as hospitals often recruit interns as early as the fall season. Applicants can find internship opportunities by searching online, networking with industry professionals, volunteering at hospitals or clinics, and leveraging their university's career services and connections.

High school internships

To find hospital internships for high school students, you can start by searching online using terms like "hospital internships for high school students" along with your geographic area. You may find internship opportunities at local hospitals, as well as job sites like LinkedIn. Hospitals with medical schools or residency programs are more likely to offer internships. You can also explore internships at research institutes, universities, and medical schools.

Some hospitals and organizations that offer internships for high school students include:

• Mass General Hospital: MGH Youth Scholars Program
• Brigham and Women's Hospital: Summer Internship Program
• Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center: CURE (a summer-only program)
• UMass Chan Medical School: High School Health Careers Program (HSHCP)
• Magee-Womens Hospital: Six-week internship for high school sophomores and juniors
• Children's Hospital Colorado: Paid internship for high school seniors exploring research opportunities in child healthcare
• University of Toronto: Youth Summer Program – Medicine (Med YSP)
• University of Alberta: High School Youth Researcher Summer Program (HYRS)
• BC Children's Hospital Research Institute: High School Summer Research Program
• Howard University Health Sciences: High School Summer Enrichment Science Academy (HSSESA) for rising 11th and 12th graders

Additionally, you can look into youth volunteer programs at hospitals, clinics, or nursing homes. While these may not be formal internships, they can provide valuable exposure to the healthcare field. You can also investigate research opportunities at local universities or research institutions, as well as reach out to medical associations like the American Medical Association (AMA) for potential internships or resources.

Keep in mind that many internships have specific eligibility criteria, such as age, grade, residency, and availability. Most internships require an application process, so be sure to check important deadlines and required documents, such as transcripts from your high school.

University internships

When applying for a hospital internship, it's important to consider the specific role you're interested in. Hospital interns can take on a variety of roles, including physicians, surgeons, nurse practitioners, nursing assistants, and psychotherapists. The tasks and responsibilities of each role will differ depending on the department and specific area of medicine. For example, pre-med students often shadow doctors and licensed physicians, while clinical lab interns focus on research and testing procedures. It's also important to note that most hospital interns are unlicensed, and certain internships may not require a license. However, for medical doctor interns, you may need to complete a licensing examination.

To succeed as a hospital intern, there are several key skills that are important to have. Attention to detail is crucial, as interns need to monitor changes in data, research, and statistics. Strong teamwork and communication skills are also essential, as interns will need to interact with other healthcare professionals, patients, and guests. Work ethics and medical practice ethics are also necessary for healthcare roles.

In some countries, internships are integrated into medical school programs. For example, in Brazil, the final two years of medical school consist of an internship where students work under supervision in various specialties. Similarly, in Hong Kong, after obtaining a bachelor's degree in medicine, graduates must work as interns in a public hospital for 12 months, rotating through different departments. In Iran, a seven-year medical education program ends with an 18-month internship, after which interns can work independently as medical doctors. These integrated internship programs allow students to gain practical experience and apply their knowledge in a supervised setting before entering residency or specialty programs.

Pre-med internships

Pre-med interns typically shadow doctors and licensed physicians in various healthcare departments, such as pediatrics, women's health, or cancer treatment. They may also interact with patients, fill out reports, give exams, and operate medical equipment. Some internships may also involve research and testing procedures, especially for clinical lab interns.

To find a pre-med internship, students can look for opportunities at hospitals, universities, or healthcare facilities that align with their interests. Many colleges and universities offer medical programs that require an internship before graduation, and some schools partner with local hospitals to provide these opportunities. It is recommended to start searching for internships early, as recruitment can begin as early as the fall before the desired internship period.

When applying for a pre-med internship, students may be required to submit grades, a CV or resume, a schedule for the desired internship semester, a professional headshot, and letters of recommendation. Some programs may also have specific requirements, such as completion of certain courses or previous shadowing or research experience.

The duration of pre-med internships can vary, with some being one-semester long while others may last for an entire summer. The Northwestern Medicine Pre-Med Internship Program, for example, is an eight-week paid program that offers students the opportunity to work in a premier academic medical center and learn about various medical professions.

Internship pay

Hospital internships can be clinical or administrative in nature, and they are often undertaken by students or recent graduates in medical degree programs. These internships may be paid or unpaid, depending on the specific program and location. In Australia, for example, medical interns do receive pay, with rates varying across states and territories. For instance, in New South Wales (NSW), the annual salary for an intern is $67,950, while in Western Australia, it is $78,479. These differences in wages are due to each state's ability to set its own public employee wages.

In the United States, the situation may differ. While corporate and government internships often include pay, it is not a standard practice for all hospital internships to be paid. Some programs may only offer class credits, while others may provide an hourly rate or a stipend. It is important to inquire directly with the hospital or institution about their specific compensation policies for interns.

It is worth noting that high school and college students can gain early experience through hospital internships and volunteer opportunities, which can help guide their career paths and choices of medical specialisation and colleges. These opportunities are often available during the summer and can involve research or administrative tasks.

Additionally, it is important to understand the distinction between a medical internship and a clinical placement or observership. A clinical placement is typically a formal requirement for workplace-based experience in a medical school program, while a clinical observership involves a doctor observing another doctor or clinical team without actively participating.

Finding internships

University Career Services

Most colleges and universities have career centres that can provide you with resources and opportunities to advance your career. You can schedule meetings with career advisors to discuss your career goals and find hospital internship openings. They can also help you with the internship application process, giving you feedback on your resume and cover letter. Remember to meet with your career advisor at the start of the school year to plan ahead.

Online Job Portals

You can search for hospital internships on online job portals such as Handshake or Indeed. These platforms allow you to filter your search based on your preferences, such as location, and provide insights into the requirements and expectations of hospital internships.

University Partnerships

Some universities with large medical programs have their own hospitals where students can intern. Additionally, certain colleges and universities partner with local hospitals to offer internships to their students in exchange for course credits. Check with your university to see if they have any partnerships or in-house opportunities.

Volunteering

You may find internship positions at hospitals where you have previously volunteered. Volunteering can be a great way to gain relevant experience and build connections that can lead to future internship opportunities.

Networking

Networking with past interns, alumni, and professionals in the healthcare industry can be beneficial. Platforms like Handshake allow you to connect with alumni who have interned at hospitals, providing valuable insights and guidance. Attending career fairs and industry events can also help you learn about internship opportunities and make meaningful connections.

Timing

It is important to start your internship search early. Many hospitals begin recruiting interns as early as the fall, so stay updated on virtual career fairs and recruitment timelines.

Specific Programs

There are various specific internship programs offered by hospitals and organisations. For example, the Mayo Clinic offers internships in fields like Biomedical Statistics, Engineering, and Video Post-Production. Mass General Brigham has a range of internships, including the Dietetic Internship, Clinical Psychology Internship, and Women's Sports Medicine Summer Internship. Additionally, organisations like HOSA offer health-related internships, such as the Summer Child Health Research Internship and global health initiatives in Africa and Asia.

Remember to tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experiences and skills that align with the hospital internship requirements. Good luck with your internship search!

Frequently asked questions