Emory Hospital Shadowing

Finding opportunities is generally the same across all areas of medicine and health. You’ll want to contact departments (and physicians) directly and see if they can put you in contact with specialist healthcare workers in areas you may be interested in.

5 Physician Shadowing Programs In Atlanta!

Shadowing is essential when deciding on a career in healthcare. Without it, it’s hard to get any application to further education taken seriously.

But finding programs near to you can sometimes prove difficult!

If you’re based in Atlanta, these physician shadowing programs could be worth exploring.

Before we dive into the list of physician shadowing programs in Atlanta, why don’t you check out our hospital volunteering guide to Atlanta? Many of the opportunities there could lend themselves well to both your studies and interests!

List Of Physician Shadowing Programs In Atlanta

Atlanta Internal Medicine Rotations

Dr. Samir Desai’s group MD2B Connect runs two paid ($3000) internal medicine rotations in Atlanta that offer outpatient externships.

Although they’re not shadowing programs (you’ll be actively involved inpatient care in a hands-on clinical experience), you will be under the supervision of board-certified internal medicine physicians on staff at Emory Midtown Hospital, Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center, and Piedmont Atlanta Hospital.

These programs are IMG-friendly and as such should only be considered by medical graduates seeking hands-on patient care in internal medicine.

DETAILS

• Name: MD2B Connect
• Contact : [email protected]
• Phone: 248-595-2638
• Website: md2bconnect.com/atlanta-internal-medicine

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Rehabilitation Observation

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta has an outpatient and inpatient rehab observation and shadowing program for students interested in the following areas:

• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Sports physical therapy
• Recreational therapy

The observation programs are short (8 hours) or long (9-10 hours), depending on graduate status.

Students must be 18 or over to participate due to HIPAA restrictions. The program is limited by available staff and placements are secured on a first-come, first-served basis.

Applications should be made before the start of April.

Here’s an introduction to the center…

Applications are made via the website.

DETAILS

• Name: Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
• Location: 1405 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30322
• Phone: 404-785-5437
• Website: choa.org/rehabilitation-observation

Georgia Tech Stamps Health Services Ambassadors

Georgia Tech’s Stamps Health Services Ambassadors runs events campus-wide focused on a range of health topics and concerns.

The mentoring program gives an opportunity for students to shadow physicians working in the group.

To be eligible you must be a junior, senior (or beyond) only, an active member of the club, and have a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Physician shadowing is limited to two hours or more every week for a single semester.

DETAILS

• Name: Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
• Location: North Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30332
• Phone: 404-894-2000
• Website: health.gatech.edu/ambassadors

Georgia State University B&B Summer Scholars Program

Georgia State University’s Brains and Behavior (B&B) Summer Program is a virtual workshop series offering lab research as well as distance learning via interactive training workshops centered on professional development.

Ran by the college’s esteemed Neuroscience Institute, past alumni have made important contributions to neuroscience, psychology, and educational research projects.

Applicants are required to have a GPA of 3.0 or better, be current GSU undergraduates in good standing, and be already engaged in research with a B&B faculty member.

DETAILS

• Name: MD2B Connect
• Contact : [email protected]
• Phone: 248-595-2638
• Website: md2bconnect.com/atlanta-internal-medicine

Emory Healthcare Observerships

Pre-Health Advising at Emory offers several shadowing and observership programs in their extensive healthcare network.

Anyone interested in shadowing is not an Emory undergraduate is welcome to contact the Emory Health Office of Observership Credentialing ([email protected]) for further instructions. This includes Emory graduate students and employees, as well as individuals outside of Emory.

In conjunction with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, the college also offers the following programs of interest:

• High School: Summer Science Academy, Institute On Neuroscience, Winship Summer Research Scholars
• Undergraduate: SUPERR: Summer Undergraduate Program in Emory Renal Research

See the website listed below for more information.

DETAILS

• Name: Emory University
• Location: 2015 Uppergate Road, Atlanta, GA 30322
• Phone: 404-712-8356
• Contact: [email protected]
• Website: pedsresearch.org/research

Other Opportunities For Clinical Shadowing In Atlanta

As well as applying to the organized shadowing programs listed above, it can be worth researching and enquiring about possible hospital volunteering programs in Atlanta and the surrounding area.

Signing up to volunteer can help you build a network among physicians, nurses, physician assistants, and other healthcare workers that could lead to important shadowing opportunities.

Check out our list of opportunities for hospital volunteers in the U.S. here. We cover all major U.S. cities!

What About Private Shadowing?

It’s possible to set up private shadowing programs with physicians (and other healthcare workers) in Atlanta.

Here are some important tips on how to secure further shadowing opportunities in the city and surrounding areas:

• Contact your own personal care provider (PCP) and enquire about shadowing
• Look up major hospitals in the area and check to see if doctors practicing there are alumni of your college (email them and explain the situation)
• Try cold calling/emailing physicians listed on the faculty list of Atlanta’s major health schools. Emory’s associated physicians by department list is a good start
• Check out volunteer opportunities in the city, get orientated and introduce yourselves to members of the medical team personally
• Consider applying for hospital scribing jobs in the city

What About Physician Assistant Shadowing?

Good Samaritan Health Clinics (Lawrenceville and Atlanta) are known to have staff PA’s and PA-Ss available on certain days. They could be worth reaching out to in the hope of shadowing opportunities.

I Want To Shadow A Certain Specialty Doctor, What Can I Do?

If you’re looking to learn more about the various areas of medicine (and the differing roles) then shadowing can help.

Finding opportunities is generally the same across all areas of medicine and health. You’ll want to contact departments (and physicians) directly and see if they can put you in contact with specialist healthcare workers in areas you may be interested in.

Final Thoughts

A physician or clinical-based shadowing program is important for any student interested in allied health careers. Not just future doctors but nurses, physician assistants, and anyone in between!

Hopefully, the programs above can help give you an introduction as to what life in healthcare is all about.

Before you bounce away from this list of physician shadowing programs in Atlanta, why don’t you check out our other physician shadowing guides? We cover all major U.S. cities!

Clinical Experience

Clinical experience can help you learn more about careers in the health professions, determine whether healthcare is the right fit for you, and demonstrate your commitment to pursing a particular profession. It is critical that you learn as possible about today’s health care delivery system through continuous exposure to the clinical setting.

Clinical experience can help you:

• Learn how to interact with patients and their families
• Gain insight into the business, social, and political aspects healthcare
• Witness the the day-to-day life of a healthcare professional
• Get experience being around sick and dying people

Make the most of your clinical experiences and the time you spend in this effort by reflecting on your experiences. Keep a journal. Make a note of your observations, your insights, the impact, etc. Asking yourself a few key questions following your experiences will also help you craft your application and interview answers. Be sure to keep track of your experiences using the experience log and journal.

Clinical volunteer experiences involve volunteering in a healthcare setting, such as a clinic or hospital. As an Emory student, you have many options both on campus and in the Atlanta area. It’s important to remember that your volunteer work should be meaningful to you! Clinical community service should not be looked at simply as a way to “check the box.” Working with organizations and populations that are important to you will allow you to have more meaningful experiences and a desire to continue to give back.

Clinical Volunteer Opportunities on Campus and in the Atlanta Area:

• A.G. Rhodes Health and Rehab
• Atlanta VA Medical Center
• Ben Massell Dental Clinic (students should contact the Emory Pre-Dental Society for information on becoming a volunteer at this location)
• Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) Egleston
• Clarkston Community Health Clinic
• Emory Autism Center
• Emory Healthcare Locations (includes Emory University Hospital, Emory Clinic, Emory Midtown, Emory Rehabilitation Hospital, etc.)
• Emory Volunteer Medical Interpretation Services
• Good Samaritan Health Center
• Grady Hospital
• Mercy Care
• Northside Hospital
• Shepherd Center
• Urban Health Initiative
• Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center
• Wesley Woods Center
• Winship Cancer Institute

Clinical Volunteer Opportunities on on the West Coast:

Clinical Experiences Abroad:

Shadowing provides the opportunity to experience the day-to-day life of a healthcare professional. A variety of shadowing experiences is encouraged for exposure to different types of healthcare providers and settings. Most schools do not require a certain amount of shadowing hours, but be sure to check the school (s) you are interested in to verify if shadowing is a pre-requisite. Some hospitals, clinics, private practices, and offices have strict requirements for shadowing. Be sure to be professional in your dress and demeanor. It is always nice to follow up with a thank you note as well.

Shadowing Resources

• Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Rehabilitation Observation (for students interested in PT, Audiology, and OT): Rehabilitation Observation.
• Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Physician Shadowing (only available to students who have volunteered 60 hours at CHOA).
• Students may also apply to shadow at Gwinnett Medical Center.
• Search the Emory Alumni Career Network for providers in your area.
• Ask the people you know! Your own healthcare provider, family, friends, etc.

Emory Healthcare Observerships

In order to participate in an Observership Experience at any branch of Emory Healthcare, Emory undergraduate students must first complete the prerequisite requirements established by Emory Healthcare. Click here to access the prerequisites. Click here to access immunization requirements. Any exceptions to the prerequisite requirements must be approved by Emory Healthcare. If you have questions about Observerships at Emory Healthcare, please email your pre-health advisor. Please note Pre-Health Advising does not match students with Observership opportunities.

Anyone interested in shadowing at a branch of Emory Healthcare who is NOT an Emory undergraduate student should contact the Emory Healthcare Office of Observership Credentialing ([email protected]) for further instructions. This includes Emory graduate students and employees, as well as individuals outside of Emory.

Informational Interviewing is another great way to learn more about healthcare professions. Some hospitals, clinics, private practices, and offices have strict requirements and do not permit shadowing, but the professional may be willing to sit down with you and talk with you about his/her career. You can find more information about informational interviewing on the Career Center website. Be sure to be professional in your dress and demeanor. It is always nice to follow up with a thank you note as well.

There are several options for students to participate in paid clinical experiences. Many paid opportunities require a significant time commitment and prior training, so students often choose to engage in these experiences during the summer or during a gap year.

Medical Scribe

A medical scribe specializes in charting provider-patient encounters in real time, such as during medical examinations. A medical scribe’s primary duties are to follow a healthcare professional through his or her work day and chart patient encounters in real-time using a medical office’s electronic health record (EHR) and existing templates. Some of the companies who hire and train scribes in the Atlanta area include:

Healthcare Consulting

Healthcare consultants examine the efficiency, profits, and structure of a healthcare organization and offer suggestions on methods of improvement. These positions can give applicants insight to the business and administrative side of healthcare. Healthcare Consulting jobs are full-time positions that require a bachelor’s degree. Triage Consulting, based in Atlanta and San Francisco, is one example of a popular healthcare consulting company. To learn more about these types of positions, please visit the Career Center website.

Allied Healthcare Providers

There are several allied health professions that require minimal training (less than 1 year), making them ideal for pre-health students looking to gain experience during school breaks or gap year(s). These professions allow individuals to gain hands-on experience in a healthcare setting. To explore additional healthcare jobs that require minimal training, visit the Explore Health Careers website.

• Phlebotomists: Phlebotomists collect blood for donation or for testing so the blood can be analyzed in a clinical laboratory. Phlebotomists work in clinical laboratories, hospitals, community health centers, nursing homes, doctor’s offices, blood donation centers and other health care facilities. To become certified, you must complete 200 training hours and pass the national certification exam. More information: Phlebotomy Certification.
• Medical Assistant: Medical assistants perform routine administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices and clinics of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors and optometrists running smoothly. Many employers prefer to hire Certified Medical Assistants, however some clinical practices hire assistants provide on-the-job training. To become certified, you must complete a formal training program and pass the CMA Certification Exam. To find training program, visit the AAMA website. You can search for certificate-granting programs, which are generally shorter in length. For more information, see the Explore Health Careers website and check out the Medical Assistant Student Resource Guide.
• Nurses Assistant: Nursing assistants help patients perform basic daily tasks. They work under a licensed nurse’s supervision, and since they have extensive daily contact with each patient, they play a key role in the lives of their patients and in keeping the nurse up to date on vital information about the patients’ conditions. To become certified, nursing assistants must complete a state-approved education program. Find programs in the Atlanta area: local CNA programs.
• Health Care Interpreters: Health care interpreters facilitate communication between patients with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) and the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and their physicians, nurses, lab technicians and other health care providers. Minimum requirements for the profession vary greatly from state to state. Most healthcare institutions prefer certified interpreters who have completed a training program. There are two national certifications for health care interpreters.
• Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs): EMTs provide first-line medical or emergency care for sick and injured people at the scene, which may be in the person’s home, at an accident site, or other places, and while they are being transported to the hospital for care. All states require EMTs to be licensed. EMTs usually complete a course that takes between 120 and 150 hours to complete, while AEMTs usually complete 400 hours of training. To obtain certification, individuals must complete an accredited Emergency Medical Services-Paramedic education program and pass the national exam. Education programs typically take less than one year to complete.

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