10 answers
Janet
Student
Herndon, Virginia
1
Question
Updated
4268 views
How can a high schooler get clinical experience ?
How should I contacting doctors/clinics I'm unfamiliar with for a shadowing opportunity, volunteering, etc. Are there any other ways I can get experience? Hospitals and clinics in my area don't usually allow high school shadowing, volunteering at hospitals is also hard to get because of the number of applicants.
8 answers
Cheri Hall
Physical Therapist
103
Answers
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Updated
Cheri’s Answer
Hi Janet,
It sounds like you're interested in exploring healthcare jobs and have started looking into shadowing and volunteering nearby. Besides hospitals, there are other places where you can volunteer or work. Physical therapy clinics often hire aides who help with tasks under a therapist's supervision. These positions are sometimes filled by high school students.
Have you considered getting a CNA certification? In Virginia, you need to be at least 16 to take the course and exam. If your high school offers dual enrollment, you might be able to take these classes at a local community college. With a CNA license, you could work in hospitals or assisted living facilities.
Another idea is to talk to your pediatrician. They might let high school students shadow them for a day or help with office tasks. Your doctor can also share what their job is like and might introduce you to other professionals in the area.
It sounds like you're interested in exploring healthcare jobs and have started looking into shadowing and volunteering nearby. Besides hospitals, there are other places where you can volunteer or work. Physical therapy clinics often hire aides who help with tasks under a therapist's supervision. These positions are sometimes filled by high school students.
Have you considered getting a CNA certification? In Virginia, you need to be at least 16 to take the course and exam. If your high school offers dual enrollment, you might be able to take these classes at a local community college. With a CNA license, you could work in hospitals or assisted living facilities.
Another idea is to talk to your pediatrician. They might let high school students shadow them for a day or help with office tasks. Your doctor can also share what their job is like and might introduce you to other professionals in the area.
James Constantine Frangos
SOFTWARE ENGINEER SINCE 1972; NUTRITIONIST SINCE 1976.
7094
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Good Day Janet! Research local medical schools near Herndon VA, and contact the academic staff, the Dean, and professors. TRY https://aihstusa.com/ ALSO
https://www.evms.edu/education/school_of_medicine/ Primarily you are aiming to determine their interests in research. The next step is for you to express a similar research interest, then chase the staff member up again with renewed vigor! You can mention that you have been doing PubMed searches on their favorite topic and discovered some interesting new material that will have relevance to their current work.
The next way to intensify their interest in employing you as an intern is a high academic result, notably Grade Point Average near 5
https://www.evms.edu/education/school_of_medicine/ Primarily you are aiming to determine their interests in research. The next step is for you to express a similar research interest, then chase the staff member up again with renewed vigor! You can mention that you have been doing PubMed searches on their favorite topic and discovered some interesting new material that will have relevance to their current work.
The next way to intensify their interest in employing you as an intern is a high academic result, notably Grade Point Average near 5
Matthew Hing
Family Medicine Physician
3
Answers
Sacramento, California
Updated
Matthew’s Answer
Janet - this is a very good question. Many hospitals have volunteer program. When I was in high school, I volunteered for the Junior Nurse Program at UC Davis Medical Center -- and that experience really totally fueled my dream of going into medicine. I'll never forget the lessons learned from the extremely caring nurses and most importantly from the patients themselves. To take your first step - call hospital information at your local hospital and ask to speak to their volunteer coordinator. Good luck!
Madison Buchman
doctor
160
Answers
West Hartford
Updated
Madison’s Answer
You're right, shadowing can sometimes be hard to find. It took me calling/emailing lots of doctors/clinics in my area to find 1-2 people who would let me come shadow. See if you also have any friends/family or anyone who has connections to any doctors/offices in your area and if they would be willing to let you shadow or even connect you with someone else who would. Alot of times it will take several/many no's to get 1-2 yes's. Continue to call local doctors/PA/nurses and ask if they would let a student shadow them for a few days or even just one day. If the office staff who answers acts like they aren't sure or don't know, explain to them what you're looking to/for how long exactly. Ask if you can maybe leave that message for the doctor or if there is an email you could try emailing them at. Sometimes that helps because staff may say they don't do that and the doctor may say they haven't before but would be happy to have you now. You could also ask your own doctors office/s if they would let you shadow one of their doctors or your doctor even or see if they know anyone else in the area who would.
Shadowing I think is so important when considering a career in medicine. This not only gets you to see their job in person but gives you a chance to get advice from them, ask questions, and maybe get a letter of recommendation if you build a long term relationship with them!
Shadowing I think is so important when considering a career in medicine. This not only gets you to see their job in person but gives you a chance to get advice from them, ask questions, and maybe get a letter of recommendation if you build a long term relationship with them!
Kaitlyn Corey
Occupational Therapy Assistant/Occupational Therapy Student
60
Answers
Graniteville, South Carolina
Updated
Kaitlyn’s Answer
It can be tough to get into hospitals as a high schooler, but there are still ways to build clinical experience. Start by reaching out to smaller clinics, private practices, or even therapy offices. A polite email or phone call that introduces who you are, why you’re interested in healthcare, and how much time you’re hoping to shadow can go a long way. Keep it short and professional, and don’t be discouraged if some say no—persistence pays off. If shadowing is limited, look at other options. Volunteering at nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or community health events can still give you meaningful patient exposure. Even roles like helping at a blood drive or working in a rehab center’s activities department count.
Tamika James
retail
1
Answer
Miami Gardens, Florida
Updated
Tamika’s Answer
If you're a high school student trying to get clinical or healthcare-related experience but facing barriers like strict age policies or competitive volunteering programs, you're not alone. Here's a guide to help you effectively reach out and explore alternative ways to gain experience in healthcare.
✅ How to Contact Doctors/Clinics for Shadowing or Volunteering
1. Do Some Research First
Look up local private practices, community clinics, or urgent care centers — not just hospitals.
Target primary care, pediatrics, family medicine, or even dentists, optometrists, or physical therapists — they may have more flexible policies.
2. Email Script You Can Customize
Use a short, polite, professional email. Here’s a template:
✅ How to Contact Doctors/Clinics for Shadowing or Volunteering
1. Do Some Research First
Look up local private practices, community clinics, or urgent care centers — not just hospitals.
Target primary care, pediatrics, family medicine, or even dentists, optometrists, or physical therapists — they may have more flexible policies.
2. Email Script You Can Customize
Use a short, polite, professional email. Here’s a template:
Michelle M.
Actress
3284
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Janet !
It's wonderful that you are exploring possible volunteer opportunities and I am sorry to hear that your local hospitals and clinics have limited volunteer slots. You didn't quite say it, but is your career interest that of becoming a Doctor ? If so, there are good reasons why many doctors and hospitals would not allow Shadowing. It's not an appropriate scenario, comes with lots of liability and privacy issues. You also wouldn't be able to judge how your own specific career would be just by looking at a doctor working with a random patient.
Your statement is also an inquiry for "clinical experience". Do you mean that you want to volunteer in any capacity in a healthcare setting, or do you mean you want to work directly on patients, with chemicals in a lab, etc. ? In the true sense of the term, you wouldn't be able to obtain clinical experience until you are in Medical School or a specific Health Care Program. In undergraduate college, you would choose a major and do projects or volunteer work in that subject in your Junior or Senior year. Clinical experience usually means interviewing, examining, diagnosing and treating and prescribing for patients. You'd do that in medical school under the supervision of a physician professor.
If you've already tried The UVA Community Health Junior Volunteer Program (for ages 16 to 18) in your town, and that's a program that's filled up, keep trying. You should also contact your local Department of Health as they usually have many programs and events that you could participate in and learn more about health. Also seek volunteering at The American Heart Association which services your town. Keep in mind that if you do any non-medical volunteer work at this time, it's still great. Doing reception, data entry and other non-medical duties as a volunteer will give you the knowledge of various aspects of healthcare which is a good start. Some other healthcare venues you can try would be urgent care clinics, nursing homes and substance abuse outpatient programs.
Another good start would be to learn medical terminology. Coursera has a free online class to learn medical terminology. Outschool provides online medical terminology classes specifically designed for kids and teens. While in school, take a lot of human sciences like Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy and Health Science. This will be a good foundation for you in undergraduate school when you go for your Bachelors Degree before Medical School. In Medical School, you'll learn how to be a doctor and get clinical experience working on patients.
Keep in mind that in high school no matter what type of volunteer work you do, it will be a learning experience for personal growth and knowledge. Medical and specific healthcare professions are not something to jump right into before you have a base of knowledge from college or while in medical school.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
It's wonderful that you are exploring possible volunteer opportunities and I am sorry to hear that your local hospitals and clinics have limited volunteer slots. You didn't quite say it, but is your career interest that of becoming a Doctor ? If so, there are good reasons why many doctors and hospitals would not allow Shadowing. It's not an appropriate scenario, comes with lots of liability and privacy issues. You also wouldn't be able to judge how your own specific career would be just by looking at a doctor working with a random patient.
Your statement is also an inquiry for "clinical experience". Do you mean that you want to volunteer in any capacity in a healthcare setting, or do you mean you want to work directly on patients, with chemicals in a lab, etc. ? In the true sense of the term, you wouldn't be able to obtain clinical experience until you are in Medical School or a specific Health Care Program. In undergraduate college, you would choose a major and do projects or volunteer work in that subject in your Junior or Senior year. Clinical experience usually means interviewing, examining, diagnosing and treating and prescribing for patients. You'd do that in medical school under the supervision of a physician professor.
If you've already tried The UVA Community Health Junior Volunteer Program (for ages 16 to 18) in your town, and that's a program that's filled up, keep trying. You should also contact your local Department of Health as they usually have many programs and events that you could participate in and learn more about health. Also seek volunteering at The American Heart Association which services your town. Keep in mind that if you do any non-medical volunteer work at this time, it's still great. Doing reception, data entry and other non-medical duties as a volunteer will give you the knowledge of various aspects of healthcare which is a good start. Some other healthcare venues you can try would be urgent care clinics, nursing homes and substance abuse outpatient programs.
Another good start would be to learn medical terminology. Coursera has a free online class to learn medical terminology. Outschool provides online medical terminology classes specifically designed for kids and teens. While in school, take a lot of human sciences like Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy and Health Science. This will be a good foundation for you in undergraduate school when you go for your Bachelors Degree before Medical School. In Medical School, you'll learn how to be a doctor and get clinical experience working on patients.
Keep in mind that in high school no matter what type of volunteer work you do, it will be a learning experience for personal growth and knowledge. Medical and specific healthcare professions are not something to jump right into before you have a base of knowledge from college or while in medical school.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
Thank you!
Chelsey Oshields
Claims Case Managment
2
Answers
Lawton, Oklahoma
Updated
Chelsey’s Answer
Hi Janet,
Definitely look into your schools resource office. There are so many programs that you can go into during your junior and senior year of high school. A lot of schools have career building programs that they have created that will extend a bridge with hospitals and clinics.
If you call around to some of your local elderly care centers they also have the ability to offer hours to donate your time, while giving you experience in the medical field so that you can learn different skills.
Don't be discouraged if the first few attempts there is nothing out there, keep trying!
Definitely look into your schools resource office. There are so many programs that you can go into during your junior and senior year of high school. A lot of schools have career building programs that they have created that will extend a bridge with hospitals and clinics.
If you call around to some of your local elderly care centers they also have the ability to offer hours to donate your time, while giving you experience in the medical field so that you can learn different skills.
Don't be discouraged if the first few attempts there is nothing out there, keep trying!
Delete Comment
Flag Comment