We understand the value and interest in career exploration and job shadowing to help you gain useful information about the skills and education required for various health sciences careers. Only individuals who are 18 and older and in a related field of study are allowed to shadow within University of Iowa Health Care. The following guidelines are set in place to ensure safety, security, and patient privacy.
Job shadow experiences are available at University of Iowa Health Care for individuals 18 years and older and in a formal health sciences program or related field of study. Shadow experiences must be coordinated with the student’s educational program instructor at their institution to ensure that the experience meets the needs of the participant(s). Job shadow experiences are provided for a limited duration on a single day.
Job shadowing in critical care areas—such as the Medical Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Burn Unit, Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Operating Room, and Psychiatric units—are not permitted except in exceptional circumstances.
If individuals who are not currently enrolled in a formal program wish to job shadow, we suggest student volunteering in the hospital for experience, reaching out to personal connections of faculty who work in the hospital, or faculty in areas of your interest to see their availability. Job Shadowing Guidelines are set by each department/unit within the hospital, with some units not allowing shadowing at all with continuing visitor restrictions within the hospital due to COVID-19.
If you are an individual over the age of 18 who needs to have job shadow experiences for your degree requirements, you may be eligible to shadow various staff at University of Iowa Health Care. You must be enrolled in a formal training or educational program within the University of Iowa or other colleges or institutions. Contracts are in place with many formal health sciences programs at the University of Iowa and other colleges and universities. Please contact your degree program coordinator or counselor about your shadowing requirements to determine if your program is eligible for shadowing at University of Iowa Health Care.
Individual job shadows are not available for anyone under the age of 18 at University of Iowa Health Care. We encourage students to participate in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Education group experiences with a school or local organization. Students under 18 may also attend Community Health Seminars or Mini Medical School programs hosted by University of Iowa Health Care.
High school students living in Benton, Cedar, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn, and Washington counties may be eligible to participate in a group interest day that is coordinated through their school and Workplace Learning Connection.
Current group days offered in partnership with UI Health Care and Workplace Learning Connection include: Junior Medical School Day, Child Development Day, Genetics Day, Pathology Day, Research Scientist Day, Allied Health Day, Nursing Day, Physician Assistant Day, and Radiology Day.
Students should contact their school counselor and ask about the Workplace Learning Connection group shadowing programs available.