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Healthcare Career Shadowing

Physician and Physician Assistant Shadowing

A great way to learn about interesting careers in health care.

Overview What is shadowing? Details Professions Questions Request
Physician or PA Shadowing Form

Interested in pursuing a career as a Physician, Dentist or Physician Assistant (PA-C)?

Why do you need to shadow?

The best way to know what career you are interested in is to have firsthand exposure to that career. Observing a healthcare provider will provide insight into their day-to-day life.

Shadowing allows you the opportunity to visualize your goals and can be one of the most meaningful, impactful experiences that contributes toward your decision to pursue a career in healthcare.

Shadowing at ChristianaCare

  • An opportunity to experience various careers in healthcare.
  • A way to explore your interests.
  • A way to engage with practicing providers to learn more about their career.
  • A time limited experience, up to 40 hours maximum within a rolling calendar year.  
  • A way to complete a senior project.
  • An avenue to accumulate hundreds of hours to satisfy an application or course requirement.
  • A way to obtain a letter of recommendation.
  • An opportunity to collect patient contact hours.

* Once you reach the 40-hour maximum allowed by the ChristianaCare Healthcare Career Shadowing program consider exploring other health systems and private care offices for additional opportunities. 

Program Details:

  • **Shadowing is limited to pre-PA or pre-med students** (this is not for students who are enrolled in a PA program or medical school)
  • Interested Students should complete the Healthcare Career Shadowing form
    • If you have a preceptor that you’ve contacted, please include their information on this form.
  • Requests to shadow must be submitted at least 14 days prior to desired start date.
    • Student will receive a confirmation email once request has been approved.
  • Students are limited to 40 hours per year.
  • Job Shadowing between November and March (Flu Season), requires documentation of flu vaccination, for the current flu season. No exceptions or exemptions.

Professions Covered

Physician – Doctor of Allopathic Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO): A physician, medical practitioner, medical doctor, or simply doctor, is a health professional who practices medicine

Physician Assistant - A Physician Assistant or Physician Associate is a type of non-doctor health care provider. Also known as PAs, examine, diagnose, and treat patients under the supervision of a physician.

Specialties available for shadowing:
  • Anesthesiology
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Family Medicine
  • Internal Medicine including sub-specialties: cardiology, hematology/oncology, nephrology, neurology, pulmonology
  • Obstetrics/Gynecology
  • Radiology
  • Surgery (after completion of another shadowing experience)

Shadowing Questions

If you have questions about the job shadow experience, please contact HealthcareCareerShadowing@ChristianaCare.org

Please have the following information available prior to submitting a shadowing request.
  • Dates/Time available
  • Area of Interest
  • Documentation of Flu vaccination (if applicable, November – March)
  • Any additional relevant information
Apply for Shadowing Opportunity Now

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