Clinical Observership

Applications are accepted annually from May through August. Clinical Observerships are conducted exclusively during these months. A clinical Observership is a hands-off experience and cannot exceed more than 8 hours with one provider.

Thank you for your interest in Advocate Aurora Health Care.

A Clinical Observership provides an educational experience for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing careers in healthcare. This experience involves observing and listening during patient interactions, physical examinations, procedures, outpatient appointments, teaching rounds, and educational meetings.

Observers will be directly supervised by the sponsoring physician in the department where the observership takes place. Please note that an observership does not include participation in direct or indirect patient care or management, nor does it provide medical training. It is not a clerkship and does not confer academic credit.

Criteria for clinical observership

Enrolled in undergraduate or graduate school who will be pursuing a career in healthcare
Must be at least 18 years or older
Must be fluent in the English language
Must complete a Clinical Observership Application:
- Students are responsible for finding a sponsor, sponsor should sign off on Clinical Observership application.
- A request for an observership DOES NOT guarantee a slot will be available.
Must provide copy of current college transcript
Verification of immunization records, including both Covid vaccinations (Johnson&Johnson-1 required vaccination).

The application period for Clinical Observerships has closed as of August 30, 2024. We will no longer be accepting applications at this time. We will begin accepting applications for 2025 starting April 1, 2025.

How to apply:

Download and submit a Completed application and Confidentially agreement
Photo ID – Passport or US Driver’s License or School ID with photo
Your vaccinations that include proof of COVID vaccinations (This is Mandatory to have for AdvocateAurora Health) and Health/Immunization History to reflect the following has been completed:
- Evidence of immunity to Measles, Mumps and Rubella (2 doses of MMR)
- History of Chicken Pox or documentation of the Varicella Vaccine
- Pre-placement and annual TB test or chest x-ray as appropriate
- Proof of being offered Hepatitis B Vaccine (dates vaccine given or a signed declination form)

If you were born in the state of Wisconsin, check the Wisconsin Immunization Registry to obtain a copy of your vaccination records.

Please allow at least 2 weeks for processing. Applications with any incomplete information or immunization documentation will not be approved.

Guidelines for clinical observerships:

Once the observership has been coordinated and approved Aurora will provide a letter reflecting the observer’s acceptance, timeframe of observership, location and specialty.
Applicants must receive that formal email clearance before they’re permitted to report on site.
Observer must abide by all AdvocateAurora Health policies, rules, and regulations while on-site. Observers are always expected to dress in a professional business or business casual manner. (No blue jeans, T-shirts, or open toe shoes). Students must always wear the school or work ID badge. If you do not have a school or work ID badge, work with loss prevention via your preceptor’s clinic manager to obtain a guest badge. Obtaining a badge does not have any access to clinics or offices.
An Aurora Health Care medical staff member must always accompany the observer while in the presence of patients.
During any/all interactions with patients the observer must identify themselves as an “Observer” and is required to request the patient’s permission to be present. If the patient declines, the observer must leave the area immediately.
The observer is not allowed any other direct patient contact. Contact is defined as touching, talking with, performing a medical history and/or exam, counseling (patient or patient’s family/friends), assisting in surgery or any other procedure, or otherwise interacting with patients, either individually or in the presence of others.
The observer cannot make patient chart entries (electronic or hard copy). They may not make copies of charts. There is no EPIC access requested for observerships.

Cancelation Policy

Once your clinical observership has been confirmed it is our expectation that you complete your experience. If for any reason you need to cancel you are required to notify us in writing a minimum of 2 weeks before your observership begins.

Please submit all documents via email to: medical.education@aah.org

Thank you for your interest in Clinical Observership with
Advocate Aurora Health.