30 Best Hospital Internships for High School Students
Hospital internships for high school students are an excellent way to gain early exposure to the medical field. These opportunities provide hands-on experience in a professional healthcare environment and help you develop critical communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. For high school students who want to pursue a medical career, a hospital internship offers valuable industry exposure, insights into medical practices, and the chance to build connections with healthcare professionals. Additionally, these internships are a strong addition to any resume, highlighting your commitment to the medical field to college admissions officers.
Whether you're interested in shadowing doctors, assisting in research projects, or learning about hospital administration, many programs are available for high school students. To make your search easier, we’ve compiled a list of the top 30 hospital internships for high school students.Â
If you're looking for more prestigious research programs, internships, and region-specific programs in medicine, check out this set of blogs!
Offered by the University of Texas, the MD Anderson Cancer Center High School Summer Program is a paid internship for high school students interested in biomedical sciences and allied health. You will collaborate with faculty mentors, conduct experiments, and attend seminars. This highly competitive program accepts only up to 10 students each year. You will work on a research project under the mentorship of a full-time MD Anderson faculty member. Over the course of the internship, you will spend five days a week in MD Anderson laboratories, gaining experience in abstract writing, poster design, and elevator speech contests. The program concludes with student presentations.
Location: University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX.
Stipend: $6,800 stipend for the 10-week program | $6,120 for the 9-week program.
Dates: June 2 - August 8.
Application Deadline: Applications open on November 18 and close on January 15.
Eligibility: Current Texas high school seniors aged 18 years or older at the start of the program.
Houston Methodist Hospital’s Summer Internship Program allows high school juniors and seniors to engage in advanced research. Under the mentorship of the Houston Methodist faculty, you will collaborate with undergraduates on research projects. You will learn essential laboratory techniques and research methods. The program culminates with a research symposium, where you will present your findings through a poster presentation. Beyond research, the program includes career and professional development sessions to prepare you for college applications and future career paths. While you can indicate your top three specialty preferences when applying, final placements depend on lab capacity and availability. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.Â
Location: Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX.
Stipend: Unpaid internship.
Dates: June 9 – August 1.Â
Application Deadline: Applications open on December 2 and close on January 31.
Eligibility: High school students who are currently in their junior or senior year and will be at least 16 years old by the start of the program are eligible to apply.
This internship combines ‘dry’ or ‘wet’ lab research with lectures, discussions, and professional development sessions. You will explore cancer biology, imaging, genomics, and emerging technologies like AI while learning about research ethics, statistics, and the integration of math, physics, and engineering in cancer research. The program concludes with a research symposium, where you’ll present your findings in a formal poster session. SURE-CAN provides a glimpse into careers in cancer research, engineering, IT, medical imaging, and research administration, offering valuable experience in the health sciences field.
Location: Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY.
Stipend: Paid internships are awarded to students who qualify.
Dates: June 26 – August 8.
Application Deadline: Applications open on December 1 and close on January 31.
Eligibility: High school juniors who are local residents of Western New York and are 15 years or older at the start of the program are eligible to apply.
The Cedars-Sinai hospital internship for high school students offers the chance to work in labs specializing in oncology, genetics, and neurology. You’ll develop practical lab skills, attend seminars, and collaborate with mentors. The program concludes with a presentation of your research findings. In addition to lab work, the internship emphasizes mentorship, allowing you to engage with researchers and medical professionals. You’ll also participate in career development workshops covering medical school preparation and navigating scientific career paths. Guest speaker sessions with medical researchers provide networking opportunities. The internship is highly competitive, with only 25 interns.
Location: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA.
Stipend: Paid internship.
Dates: June 30 - August 8 (6 weeks) | June 30 - September 5 (10 weeks).
Application Deadline: Applications open on February 1 and close on February 8.
Eligibility: High school students 16 years or older are eligible to apply.
The High School Summer Internship Program at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital is a paid, eight-week opportunity for graduating seniors in the Cincinnati area interested in biomedical sciences. You’ll work 20 hours per week, shadowing mentors in pediatric specialties like Critical Care, Endocrinology, and Human Genetics. The program includes weekly networking and professional development lunches and training using simulated pediatric patients in the SIM Center. This internship provides a mix of research and clinical experience. It concludes with a graduation event where you’ll present your experiences.
Location: Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, OH.
Stipend: Interns are paid $13 per hour.
Dates: The internship runs for 8 weeks, starting from June 3.
Application Deadline: Applications open in early November and close on February 1.
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors who are residents of the Cincinnati metropolitan area are eligible to apply.
The Fred Hutch Cancer Center’s Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP) is an eight-week paid internship for high school students from underrepresented backgrounds in biomedical sciences. The program begins with two weeks of laboratory training, where you will learn essential techniques such as DNA isolation and gel electrophoresis. Over the next six weeks, you will work in pairs within a research group under the guidance of a mentor. The internship includes interactive sessions on ethics, data visualization, and college essay writing. It concludes with a formal presentation to the Fred Hutch community. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.Â
Location: Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Seattle, WA.
Stipend: Paid internship.
Dates: June 23 - August 15.
Application Deadline: Applications open on February 1 and close on March 31.
Eligibility: High school students entering their senior year or final term after the summer.
The Department of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine offers a summer research internship for high school students. You will work alongside faculty on the Anschutz Medical Campus, gaining exposure to research focused on child health. The program includes participation in a weekly research lecture series and concludes with you presenting your research findings. At the end of the internship, you will submit a written summary detailing your research experiences, contributions, and achievements. Additionally, you will deliver an oral or poster/PowerPoint presentation summarizing your work, providing valuable experience in scientific communication.Â
Location: Children’s Hospital Colorado and University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO.
Stipend: $4,400.
Dates: June 2 - August 1.
Application Deadline: Applications open on December 2 and close on February 1.
Eligibility: High school seniors who are residents of Colorado and over 18 years are eligible.
The CYCE paid internship programs offer local high school students work experiences and professional development opportunities across various fields, including clinical, nonclinical, and advanced technology sectors. The Cleveland Clinic Louis Stokes Summer Internship program emphasizes nonclinical, business-oriented aspects of healthcare, including art and design, building and design, finance, healthcare administration, and marketing and communications. If you are interested in clinical pathways, the Science Summer Internship program provides exposure to disciplines such as applied medicine, behavioral health, laboratory medicine, nursing, pharmacy, public health, occupational and physical therapy, and respiratory care.Â
Location: Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH.
Stipend: Interns receive a stipend of $15 per hour.
Dates: June 9 – July 25.
Application Deadline: Applications open on December 2 and close on January 31.
Eligibility: High school students who live and attend school in one of the Northeast Ohio cities and are at least 15 years old are eligible to apply.
The STAR 2.0 Program offers high school students a summer research internship. You will collaborate with Children’s Mercy faculty on original research projects, gaining experience that contributes to advancements in patient care. The program emphasizes clinical and translational research, providing training in research methodology, statistical analysis, medical ethics, academic writing, and career development. You will also be able to develop your research into publications for submission to peer-reviewed journals. Beyond research, the program fosters networking with peers and professionals in the medical research community, offering insights into science and medicine.Â
Location: Children’s Mercy Research Institute, Kansas City, MO.
Stipend: $2,600.
Dates: June 16 - July 24.
Application Deadline: Applications open on December 16 and close on January 24.
Eligibility: Current freshmen, sophomores, and junior high school students in public or charter schools who identify with racial and ethnic groups currently underrepresented in medicine and science. Preference is given to students who attend schools in the urban metropolitan Kansas City, Missouri, and Kansas school districts.
The Samuels Family LA-HIP yearlong internship program is designed to support underrepresented high school students in medicine and science by providing laboratory research experience and college counseling. During the seven-week summer internship, you will conduct advanced biomedical research in a faculty scientist's lab at The Saban Research Institute of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. You will gain practical skills, such as maintaining laboratory notebooks, collaborating with scientists, and presenting research findings. The program concludes with interns presenting their work at a Science Symposium. Additionally, professional college counselors will guide you through the college application and financial aid processes.Â
Location: Children's Hospital Los Angeles, CA.
Stipend: Paid internship.
Dates: The internship starts on June 16 and ends with the Science Symposium at the beginning of August.
Application Deadline: Applications open on November 4 and close on February 7.
Eligibility: High school students who are applying in the Fall of their junior year of high school and identify as an underrepresented minority in medicine and science are eligible to apply.
The Youth Summer Program offers high school students the opportunity to explore careers in healthcare while gaining valuable workplace experience. Hosted by Brigham and Women’s Hospital, the internship aligns with the hospital’s mission to educate, promote diversity, and support the local community. You will develop self-awareness of your strengths and career interests, build positive work habits, and acquire skills that can be applied in academic and professional settings. Over six weeks, you will work 30 hours per week in various departments, including radiology, transport, materials management, and research labs.Â
Location: Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA.
Stipend: Paid internship.
Dates: The internship typically runs for six weeks in the summer.
Application Deadline: Applications open in March.
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old by June 1 and residents of the City of Boston are eligible to apply.
The St. Jude High School Research Immersion Program allows high school students to engage in mentored research projects across various fields, including laboratory science, psychology, epidemiology, clinical research, and data science. You will collaborate in pairs with research mentors to carry out your projects. You will also work with a science educator to explore critical questions about the nature of science, representation in the scientific community, and your potential as a scientist. This reflective process will help you craft a compelling personal statement for your college applications, highlighting how the program has shaped your identity as an emerging scientist. It culminates in a community exhibition, where you will present your findings through scientific posters.
Location: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN.
Stipend: $4,800.
Dates: June 2 - July 25.
Application Deadline: January 31.
Eligibility: High school seniors who are 16 years or older and live in the Memphis-Shelby County area and the immediate surrounding counties in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas.
The Summer Student Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) offers high school students the chance to explore careers in biomedical sciences. This eight-week internship focuses on two key areas. First is Research Experience, where you will participate in a lab-based internship, either in biomedical or computational research, under the guidance of a mentor. You will work on a self-directed project aligned with the lab’s broader research goals. Second is Professional Development, wherein you will attend events hosted by various MSK departments. With a highly competitive acceptance rate of 2%, the program selects 20 interns annually. Research areas include cancer biology, molecular biology, genomics, computational biology, immuno-oncology, and more. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.Â
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY.
Stipend: $1,200.
Dates: June 30 - August 22.
Application Deadline: February 7.
Eligibility: Current high school juniors living in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut within 25 miles of the Main Campus of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center on the Upper East Side in Manhattan are eligible to apply.
Memorial Health System offers a one-week internship to help local high school students explore healthcare careers. This internship provides an understanding of various clinical roles, offering insights into the responsibilities, educational requirements, and growth opportunities associated with each position. You will gain exposure to various fields, including surgery, perioperative care, emergency services, rehabilitation, imaging, inpatient nursing, laboratory work, respiratory therapy, and physician clinics. By engaging with healthcare professionals, you can assess your interest in pursuing education and careers in these areas. The internship aims to support workforce development and college readiness.
Location: Marietta Memorial Hospital and Selby General Hospital, Marietta, OH.
Stipend:Â
Dates: June 17-21 | June 24-28 | July 8-12 | July 15-19.
Application Deadline: March 29.
Eligibility: Upcoming high school juniors and seniors in the Mid-Ohio Valley are eligible.
The Medical Career Collaborative (MC²) is a healthcare pathway program designed to introduce high school students to healthcare while providing ongoing support. Through paid internships, mentorship, career coaching, and certification opportunities, MC² equips students with the skills and experiences needed for a future in healthcare. It begins during your junior year of high school and extends beyond graduation. You will engage in monthly field trips, workshops, and training sessions to explore various healthcare fields and earn certifications. You will also complete a 100-120 hour paid internship at Children’s Colorado or Denver Health, working alongside mentors from diverse healthcare professions such as nursing, therapy, and medicine. Seniors receive support with college applications, financial aid, and scholarships.Â
Location: Denver Health, Denver, CO and Children’s Hospital Colorado locations, including Anschutz Medical Campus (Aurora), North Campus (Broomfield), South Campus (Highlands Ranch), and Colorado Springs.
Stipend: Paid internship.
Dates: The program typically runs for two years.
Application Deadline: March 5.
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores who attend school in the Denver metro or Colorado Springs areas are eligible to apply.
The SIH Summer Internship Program is designed to promote healthcare careers among high school students and address the growing demand for skilled professionals in the field. This hospital internship offers opportunities in various healthcare disciplines, including Laboratory, Nursing, Radiology, Respiratory Therapy, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Pharmacy. Over 6-8 weeks, you will gain insights into healthcare careers by working in hospital departments two to three days per week, depending on your assigned area and availability.Â
Location: Various Southern Illinois Healthcare locations across the US.
Stipend: Unpaid internship.
Dates: June 10 - July 17.
Application Deadline: April 22.
Eligibility: High school students entering sophomore, junior, or senior years and graduating seniors are eligible to apply
The Neurology High School Scholars Program by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia allows high school students to participate in a five-week paid hospital internship. During this time, you will collaborate with a neurologist or neuroscientist on a basic science or clinical research project, observe physicians in clinical settings, and attend weekly educational sessions. The schedule is arranged between the student and mentor, depending on the project's needs. After the internship, you will create a poster presentation summarizing your research findings and present it at a conference.
Location: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA.
Stipend: $1,000.
Dates: July 7 - August 9.
Application Deadline: Applications open on February 2 and close on March 1.
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors at least 16 years old at the start of the program are eligible to apply.
The Atrium Health Floyd High School Academic Internship Program allows local students to explore the healthcare field, gain experience, and learn about various career options. In collaboration with local high school medical science programs, such as College and Career Academies and HOSA, the internship allows you to shadow professionals in different clinical settings. You will be able to observe and engage with doctors, nurses, therapists, technicians, and other healthcare professionals across various departments and specialties. Eligibility for the program requires enrollment in a high school medical sciences program and approval from the school's work-based learning coordinator. Depending on placement availability, you may choose the area you wish to shadow.
Location: Atrium Health Floyd, Rome, GA.
Stipend: There is currently no information available.Â
Dates: Varies depending on availability.
Application Deadline: Interested students must contact their school's work-based learning coordinator to apply.
Eligibility: High school students enrolled in a high school medical sciences program who have the approval of their school's work-based learning coordinator are eligible to apply.
The ACH Junior Volunteer Summer Program allows high school students to contribute to the Arkansas Children’s Hospital's mission of delivering child health care. This program offers a structured, two-week experience in various hospital settings to enhance the patient and family experience. It introduces you to various healthcare careers and engagement opportunities. To participate, you must be available to commit to the entire two-week session you apply for. On Fridays, you will attend Lunch and Learn sessions, including hospital tours, breakout sessions, and speakers covering topics related to healthcare operations.
Location: Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Little Rock, AR.
Stipend: Unpaid internship.
Dates: The program typically runs for two weeks in either June or July.
Application Deadline: Applications open in February.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply.
Parkview Health provides several opportunities for high school students to explore various healthcare-related fields. From internships, job shadowing, apprenticeships, clinical experiences, observations, and more, you can select the program that aligns with your goals. You can gain experience in either clinical or non-clinical roles, depending on your interest. The hospital internship program for high school students offers flexibility with in-person, remote, or hybrid formats.Â
Location: Parkview Health, Fort Wayne, IN. Remote and hybrid options are available.Â
Stipend: Unpaid internship.
Dates: The internship runs for one semester during spring, summer, and fall.
Application Deadline: March 1.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply.
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles offers a High School Summer Program where you will have the opportunity to provide valuable service to patients, families, and staff. Your role will involve contributing to the hospital’s mission by supporting patients and families. You will work with patients by assisting them with tasks such as escorting them to appointments, greeting them, and assisting with administrative support tasks to help ensure the hospital runs smoothly.
Location: Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, CA.
Stipend: Unpaid internship.
Dates: June 17 - August 2.
Application Deadline: Applications open on February 2.
Eligibility: High school students who have completed their freshman year and are 15-17 years old at the start of the program are eligible to apply.Â
The Bridges to Healthcare internship program is a paid opportunity to help address the skills gap in healthcare by supporting the education of high school students and recent graduates. The program offers early exposure to careers in healthcare and is structured in two phases.
In Phase I, high school students participate in a paid internship that introduces them to clinical and non-clinical healthcare roles. Phase II offers educational assistance to recent high school graduates interested in pursuing a healthcare degree at a community college.
Location: Novant Health in Charlotte, Winston Salem, and Salisbury.
Stipend: Paid internship.
Dates: The internship runs during spring, summer, and fall.
Application Deadline: There is currently no information available.Â
Eligibility: High school students with a 2.5 GPA, household income of $40,000 or less, and attending one of the partnering high schools are eligible to apply.
The Workforce Development High School Summer Internship Program, offered by Parkland Memorial Hospital, is an eight-week paid opportunity to introduce Dallas high school students to career paths and job opportunities within the healthcare sector. The program aims to give you the skills and experiences to become future leaders in healthcare. As part of the internship, you will gain experience in a non-clinical professional setting, gaining a valuable educational foundation to support your career aspirations.
Location: Parkland Memorial Hospital, Dallas, TX.
Stipend: Interns receive a stipend of $18.25 per hour.
Dates: The internship runs for eight weeks in the summer.
Application Deadline: March 14.
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors attending a public high school in Dallas-Fort Worth who are at least 16 years old prior to the start date of the program are eligible to apply.
The internship program complements traditional classroom education by providing high school students with practical, non-clinical work experience at Pottstown Hospital. You will be able to apply your knowledge and acquire experience, earning academic credit while exploring career paths within the hospital. Throughout your internship, you will engage with hospital staff, who may serve as mentors, contacts, and references to help guide your future educational and career choices. You will also observe hospital staff interacting with patients and witness the collaboration between clinical and non-clinical departments in providing care.Â
Location: Pottstown Hospital, Pottstown, PA.
Stipend: Unpaid internship.
Dates: Spring Semester: January 26 - May 23 | Fall Semester: September 15 - January 16 | Academic Year: September 15 - May 23.
Application Deadline: February 7.
Eligibility: High school seniors studying in school districts in Pottstown Hospital’s primary service area are eligible to apply.
Through their clinical, non-clinical, and high school internship programs, Scripps Hospitals provide opportunities to high school students to promote healthcare careers. In collaboration with the Health and Science Pipeline Initiative (HASPI), the High School Exploration Internship Program offers high school students county-wide a five-week opportunity to learn about healthcare professions. Additionally, Scripps has partnered with University City High School to create worksite exposure for students interested in healthcare careers. During your 12-week internship, you will shadow healthcare professionals and rotate through three different departments. The Young Leaders in Health Care Program in northern San Diego County allows you to work closely with Scripps emergency room physicians and other medical professionals, receiving leadership mentorship while completing a service project.
Location: Various Scripps hospitals in CA.
Stipend: There is currently no information available.Â
Dates: Varies depending on the internship.
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the internship.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply.
The Henry Ford Hospital’s Department of Surgery offers a mentorship program followed by a paid summer internship for 10 high school students. During the mentorship program, you will visit the Henry Ford Hospital to practice skills in the Surgical Simulation Suite, where you will be trained in suturing, knot tying, and other simulation-based surgical techniques, particularly for minimally invasive procedures. In addition, you will tour the hospital and engage with healthcare professionals and medical students. 10 selected participants will be awarded a paid summer internship to explore their career interests further.
Location: Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI.
Stipend: $1,000.
Dates: The mentorship program runs for an academic year, followed by the internship during the summer.
Application Deadline: There is currently no information available.Â
Eligibility: Detroit-area high school students are eligible to apply.Â
The Health Careers Summer Internship is a six-week program designed to provide high school students with experience in the healthcare field. You will learn about hospital operations, shadow healthcare professionals, and explore various career paths within healthcare settings. These internships are available at multiple hospitals and medical centers across Hawai'i, including Hawai'i Pacific Health, Pali Momi Medical Center, Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children, Straub Medical Center, Kauai Medical Clinic, and Wilcox Medical Center. You may gain experience in departments such as Intensive Care, Respiratory Care, Physical Therapy, Patient Services, and more.
Location: Hawaii Pacific Health and its network of medical centers in Oahu and Kauai, HI.
Stipend: Paid internship.
Dates: Oahu: June 17–July 26 | Kauai: June 17–July 25.
Application Deadline: There is currently no information available.Â
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors are eligible to apply.
The Seacole Scholars Program provides a summer employment opportunity for high school students with Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) licenses. Managed by the nursing department at Rhode Island Hospital, this program is part of the Brown University Health Summer Employment Program. Each year, Brown University Health employs high school students as CNAs for seven to eight weeks over the summer. You will work four days a week in nursing units and spend one day each week attending training sessions focused on workforce and youth development. You will also have the opportunity to network with more than 80 other students and receive career guidance from experts, with the potential for continued employment after the summer.
Location: Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI.
Stipend: Paid internship.
Dates: The program typically runs for seven to eight weeks from June to August.
Application Deadline: Applications open in November and close on January 19.
Eligibility: High school students aged 16-19 years with valid Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) licenses are eligible to apply.
The Norton Healthcare High School Academy offers an internship program to students attending partnering high schools. Through this program, you will receive training and experience that aligns with your educational goals in health science pathways. Throughout your internship, you will gain experience in various healthcare roles within Norton Healthcare. Additionally, you will explore different healthcare disciplines through symposiums, job shadowing, and interactions with staff and leaders.
Location: Norton Healthcare, Louisville, KY.
Stipend: There is currently no information available.
Dates: The internship typically runs during the summer.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted during the spring of each year.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are 17 years old and enrolled in a local high school can apply.
The KP Launch High School Program provides a valuable opportunity for high school students interested in the administrative and business aspects of healthcare. It offers a chance to learn about the operations that support hospitals and clinics. As an intern, you will participate in weekly workshops to enhance your skills, collaborate with mentors and supervisors, engage in community service projects with fellow students, and grow your professional network. The departments and projects vary each year and have included nursing, administration, internal medicine, and patient care in the past. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.Â
Location: Kaiser Permanente medical centers across the US.
Stipend: Interns receive a stipend of $23 per hour.
Dates: June 16 – August 1.
Application Deadline: Applications open on November 11 and are accepted on a rolling basis.
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 – 19 years at the program's start and with permanent residence in a Northern California Kaiser Permanente designated service area.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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