medical internships for undergraduates los angeles
The UCLA Health Volunteer Internship Program offers a comprehensive, nine-week summer volunteer program for undergraduate students.
The UCLA Health Volunteer Internship Program offers a comprehensive, nine-week summer volunteer program for undergraduate students. The program runs from June through August and is designed to expose students to healthcare professions, leadership development and community service. Each year, approximately 200 students are accepted into the intern program and placed in one of more than 20 hospital departments based on their interests, experience and skill sets.
In a typical day as an intern, you may observe and assist in patient care areas; work with other professionals in health-related fields; participate in staff education classes; attend medical lectures; or support the Community Programs Department with projects related to fundraising, public relations and other special events.
During the summer program, interns are paired according to their academic degree and interest with departments throughout UCLA Health.
UCLA Health is a top-ranked medical center in Los Angeles, CA. As part of the UCLA Health network, its team includes over 2,000 primary and specialty care physicians and surgeons across the state of California.
The UCLA Health Volunteer Internship Program is a 9-week summer program that provides undergraduate students the opportunity to gain valuable experience in the healthcare field while working alongside leading physicians at one of the nation’s most highly regarded academic medical centers. During the summer program, interns are paired according to their academic degree and interest with departments throughout UCLA Health. Interns have a choice between many different departments including:
- Cardiology (Heart)
- Endocrinology (Diabetes/Thyroid)
- Gastroenterology (Stomach/Intestines)
- Geriatric Care (Elderly Patients)
- Hematology Oncology (Blood Cancer)
Interns will be placed in one of the following sub-programs:
- Hospital Volunteer Program
- Clinical Care Extender Program
- Clinical Research Program
- Health Sciences Program
- Healthcare Information Technology Program
- Lifespan Health Program
- Mental Health Services Program
- Patient Education Program
- Pharmacy Program
The UCLA Health Volunteer Internship Program is open to students from all disciplines, who have completed the first year of college or will complete their first year during the current academic year.
- You must be enrolled in a U.S. university or college as a full-time student and will have completed at least one year of college by the date you participate in the intern program
- You must be a U.S. citizen
- Your participation in the internship program is not to exceed 8 weeks during an academic year, and your total experience with UCLA Health Volunteer Programs cannot exceed 24 months
- You are required to work one full day per week for at least 8 weeks (a minimum of 40 hours are required)
The internship is unpaid and does not include student housing; participants are responsible for securing their own housing arrangements in Los Angeles.
- Housing
- The internship is unpaid and does not include student housing; participants are responsible for securing their own housing arrangements in Los Angeles. However, the director of education will assist in identifying possible housing options based on availability.
- Networking and Experience
- In addition to strong medical background, an added benefit of the program is that it offers interns the opportunity to meet others from across the country who have chosen a similar career path. This can help immensely when seeking employment after graduation, as many internships become available via word-of-mouth communication between previous interns. The program also gives students a chance to experience working outside of their home state, which can be beneficial in showing future employers that they’re adaptable to new environments and situations while still maintaining professionalism.
If you’re interested in a medical field, this is a great opportunity to get some hands-on medical experience as an undergraduate in Los Angeles.
The undergraduate medical internship program at Keck School of Medicine is available to students of all disciplines. In order to qualify for this internship, you must have completed the first year of your undergraduate education or be in your first year at the time you apply. The program is open only to students who will be completing their first year of college during the current academic year. Students will work with a senior physician on a variety of projects including public health research, patient care and medical education. Interns will attend weekly seminars on relevant topics such as ethics, professional development and science policy.