Medical Observations and Job Shadowing

Medical observations, often referred to as observations or job shadowing, are opportunities to observe a professional in their work.  For example, shadowing a provider, dietitian, lab scientist, etc., is a great way to find out if a career in healthcare might be right for you.

Observing can give you a better understanding of what someone's typical day is like and give you good experience to talk about in future job applications and interviews. It’s also a great way to gain familiarity with different specialties and healthcare environments.

Seattle Children's endeavors to offer medical observation opportunities to shadow professionals who work across the organization.

Medical observations are intended for:

• Individuals who are 18 years of age or older and out of high school.
• Individuals who are interested in the medical field.
• Individuals who work in healthcare and are interested in different aspects of a pediatric hospital setting and not seeking or being granted medical education credit.

Those eligible to apply for observations:

• Post-secondary students, including undergraduates, post-bacs, and pre-medical students
• Medical students, including all University of Washington medical students

Other individuals may be eligible to observe through different intake processes:

• Licensed and/or credentialed individuals (MD, DO, DDS, ARNP and PAs) are processed by Medical Staff Services. Please contact them directly at [email protected] for specific application details.
• If you are in a current U.S. residency or fellowship training program, you must be processed through the Office of Graduate Medical Education at Seattle Children's as a visiting resident. Please contact them directly for specific application details at [email protected].
• Seattle Children’s employees: If you are currently employed by or affiliated with Seattle Children’s, please see our internal application on CHILD. Search for "Observing Program."

Groups currently ineligible to observe:

• High school students, under age 18. 
• Medical observations do not fulfill requirements for high school senior projects. Those who are still in high school are not allowed to observe. See a description of our opportunities for high school and youth service projects.
• International observations are currently paused.

Requesting an Observation

If you are interested in observing at Seattle Children's, you must complete the observation request form, which includes a HIPAA/compliance attestation and immunization details (see above for immunization information).  

Before you submit the observation request form, we strongly encourage you to reach out and connect with a department or provider to help expedite your request.  A description of our departments can be found in the Clinics section of our website.  You can also visit our Provider Directory and return to this form later to complete it after you have been in touch with a provider and confirmed that they are willing to host you.

If you choose to submit a request without identifying a provider who has agreed to host you, it may delay your request – processing time will increase to six weeks or longer depending on department availability.

Submit your request

Due to the high volume of requests we receive, we cannot accommodate all requests – they are subject to availability and department discretion. Please note that not all departments are able to accept observation requests.

To support your understanding of the process of requesting an observation at Seattle Children's, review our guide for external requestors. 

For more information, please see the FAQs for medical observations at Seattle Children’s in addition to the program information below.