About Children's

Student Externship Program Overview

Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC is pleased to offer externship opportunities to eligible students. The mission statement of Children's Hospital demonstrates our commitment to health care, teaching, and research within a pediatric environment. In fulfilling this mission, the Student Externship Program has been developed to provide students with practical hands-on work experience in a professional health care setting in order to enhance learning. Additionally, this program supports the hospital's overall recruitment and retention efforts.

What is the purpose of the Student Externship Program?

The purpose of the Student Externship Program is to provide a one-time, school-sponsored 'unpaid' work or service experience to develop career-specific skills. "School-sponsored" specifically indicates that the student will receive credit for completing the externship and/or advance or finish a course of study by completing the externship.

What types of externships are offered?

The types of externships offered at Children's vary from direct patient care, clinical, research, and administrative. The student works under the supervision of at least one practicing professional, who is the student's designated Children's Hospital mentor, sponsor, or preceptor. For information regarding the Summer Student Nurse Internship program, please contact Melanie Shatzer, DNP, RN, at shatzermb@upmc.edu.

When are externships offered?

In general, externships are offered throughout the year. Once an application is received, it will be forwarded to the appropriate department manager to be reviewed. Externships generally last for one semester. However, based upon the extern's availability and Children's organizational needs, externships may be extended for a longer period of time. Please be advised that not all externship requests will be granted.

What are the requirements for the program?

The student must be enrolled in a post-secondary school with school authorization to participate in the program.

The following must be completed prior to a student starting the externship:

Affiliation Agreement (either a master affiliation agreement already exists or a master affiliation agreement will need to be created and signed by the school and UPMC)
UPMC Confidentiality Agreement (signed by student)
Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC HIPAA Compliance Form (signed by student)
Health Screen Verification Form (signed by school)
Child Care Clearance Forms collected or verified:
- Original Act 33 Clearance (PA Child Abuse History)
- Original Act 34 Clearance (Criminal History)
- Original Act 73 Clearance (FBI Fingerprint)
Self Learning Module Acknowledgement Page (signed by student)

How does a student apply for an externship?

Student must complete an Externship Request Form (PDF), and attach his or her resume. This information should be e-mailed to extern-shadow@chp.edu or faxed to 412-692-6994. The student will be contacted if selected for an interview.

Back to Student Externship Program

Last Update
January 28, 2013

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