Healthcare Career Shadowing

Physician and Physician Assistant Shadowing

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

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

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