Job Shadowing at Trinity Regional Medical Center
Thank you for your interest in participating in a job shadow at UnityPoint Health - Fort Dodge. Our job shadow program is for students in high school or college but will consider requests from individuals that are considering a career change. Participants will be paired with a health care professional and must remain with them throughout the job shadow experience. This person will be able to answer questions about a typical day, education and skill requirements, and generally what the position involves.
Job shadows are not clinical rotations and will not meet the requirements for programs that require clinical contact hours or internship hours, nor will it fulfill the requirement for volunteer or community service hours. Our job shadows are unpaid, observational hours only and will not provide hands-on patient care.
Program Offerings
We understand the value of job shadowing as part of the career exploration process and the importance of helping students gain useful information as to the types of skills and education required for careers within the medical industry.
In the job shadow applications, applicants will have the opportunity to share what area(s) they want to shadow, expectations of the experience, and how the experience will fit into future career plans. Job shadow hours will normally be scheduled between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday and will last no more than 8 hours.
Some departments are generally unable to accommodate job shadow requests. These include Behavioral Health, OB and the Cath Lab. Requests are subject to department manager approval and may be limited due to staff availability and patient consent.
Application Process
Those interested job shadowing must:
- Complete the application. The application requires a parent/guardian to electronically sign and provide consent if you are under age 18. The application also requires your signature on a confidentiality statement of understanding.
- Provide an acceptable copy of your immunizations. We require proof of immunizations, including your annual influenza (flu) vaccine and a copy of your COVID-19 vaccine. You must have a full dose of your initial COVID-19 vaccine (boosters are not required). An acceptable copy of your vaccinations includes electronic health record documents showing the vaccine documentation and date administered, or a vaccination card with dose and dates administered.
- Review the orientation packet and sign acknowledgement of completion.
- Review Job Shadow Policy
- Return completed forms by mail, fax or email to:
Trinity Regional Medical Center
(Attn: Office of Medical Education)
802 Kenyon Road Fort Dodge, IA 50501
Fax number: 515-574-6933
Email: UPH_FtDodge@unitypoint.org
All documents must be completed and received prior to being approved for a job shadow experience. We attempt to accommodate requests; however, some requests may be denied.
FAQs
What do I do if I’m sick on my scheduled day?
Please be considerate of our patients and staff and reschedule your job shadow day. Contact your assigned staff person or Human Resources at 515-574-6699.
What happens if the weather is bad and there inclement weather?
If you feel uncomfortable driving, it’s best to call and reschedule your job shadow day.
What should I do if I’m late on the day of my scheduled visit?
Call your assigned staff member as soon as possible and let them know you will be tardy.
What do I need to bring with me?
You may want to bring a small notebook and a pen for questions or thoughts and a small amount of cash in case you want something from the cafeteria. Cell phones must be turned off or set to Silent. We are not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items, so please leave other valuables at home. You may also bring a form that verifies completion of job shadow hours, and your assigned staff member will sign it.
How do I know what day I will be shadowing?
Completed applications will be reviewed and approved by Human Resources and the department manager. If your job shadow request is approved, you will be notified of the date and time and where to report. You will also be given the name and contact number of the staff person that you will be assigned to.
What if I need verification of the job shadow?
If you have a form that needs to be signed, please bring it with you on your job shadow day and your assigned staff person can sign it. This is a job shadow experience only and will not count toward the requirement for volunteer experience or clinical hours.
Can I use this to fulfill requirements for volunteering?
No, the requirements for volunteering are different. If you would like to be a volunteer, please contact our Volunteer Services office at 515-574-6656.
I’m home for the weekend, can I job shadow tomorrow?
We will need at least one week’s notice before your request will be approved. That gives us ample time to review your submitted forms and make sure that all the information is complete. We also need to contact the department(s) and schedule a visit on a day that works for them. Please plan accordingly and submit your forms at least one week in advance. Normally job shadow experiences are scheduled on Monday through Friday, so unfortunately, we wouldn’t be able to honor a request to shadow on a weekend.
Job Shadow Policy
Job shadows are unpaid.
This usually involves students in high school or college, but we also will consider requests from individuals that are considering a career change. Participants will be paired with a health care professional and must remain with them throughout the job shadow experience. This person will be able to answer questions about a typical day, education and skill requirements, and what the position involves.
Job shadowing will not meet the requirements for any program that requires clinical contact hours or internship hours, nor will it fulfill the requirement for volunteer or community service hours. If you need to complete the requirements for an internship or clinical hours, please contact the appropriate internship coordinator at your college.
Job shadowing will not meet the requirements for any program that requires clinical contact hours or internship hours, nor will it fulfill the requirement for volunteer or community service hours. If you need to complete the requirements for an internship or clinical hours, please contact the appropriate internship coordinator at your college.
Participants are required to submit a Job Shadow Application.
This application is available on the website and will include area(s) in which the participant wants to shadow, expectations of the experience, and how the experience will fit into future career plans. A minimum of one week's notice is requested. Applications and other required materials may be faxed to the Office of Medical Education at 515-574-6933. Upon approval, the participant will be contacted regarding the date and time.
Job Shadow requests.
Job shadows will normally be scheduled between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday and will last no more than 8 hours. Some departments within the clinic or hospital are unable to accommodate job shadow requests. These include Behavioral Health, OB, and the Cath Lab. Requests are subject to department manager approval and may be limited due to staff availability and patient consent.
Patient confidentiality is extremely important.
All participants will be required to sign a form indicating that they understand the importance of patient & hospital confidentiality. In addition, they are expected to comply with appropriate hospital and clinic rules and regulations. At no time will a job shadow participant be allowed to access or view medical records. We respect the rights of our patients. All patient observations are subject to patient approval. The patient may refuse to have a job shadow participant present during a visit or procedure.
Our first priority is meeting the needs of our patients.
While we attempt to accommodate the learning needs of our students, at times we may decline a request for a job shadow experience even if all the requirements are met. Please remember that we need to have adequate resources to serve our patient population. In addition, some areas require a high degree of sensitivity and are not suitable for job shadowing. If your request is not approved, you will be notified.
Appropriate dress is required.
Generally, dress slacks and a shirt or blouse are acceptable. Comfortable shoes are suggested, and hosiery or socks are required (shoes must have closed toes if in a patient care area). Excessive cologne or perfume should be avoided. Examples of inappropriate attire include: jeans, tanks/halter tops or dresses, T-shirts and sweatshirts with logos, shorts, flip-flops, and tight or revealing clothing. Body piercings (other than earrings) and visible tattoos are inappropriate. In addition, hairstyle and jewelry must be appropriate. Individual departments may have stricter dress requirements with which the participant must comply. Participants who are dressed inappropriately will not be allowed to job shadow.
Lab coats and scrubs are normally worn by trained health-care professionals and should not be worn by those participating in a job shadow.
Lab coats and scrubs are normally worn by trained health-care professionals and should not be worn by those participating in a job shadow.
Name badge will be provided and must be worn.
A name badge will be provided and must be worn during the time you are here for your job shadow experience.
Please arrive promptly for your job shadow experience.
If you are going to be tardy, please contact your assigned department or Human Resources.
Eat before you begin your job shadow experience.
A light meal is suggested before you begin your job shadow experience as it may help with queasiness or nausea. Please let your supervisor know immediately if you feel dizziness or nausea.
Participants must be in good health the day of their visit.
If you have any symptoms of illness, including fever, rash, cough, sore throat, etc. you are expected to notify the department and reschedule your job shadow visit.
Appropriate language and actions.
You are representing Trinity Regional Medical Center and UnityPoint Clinic when you are participating in your job shadow. Appropriate language and actions are required at all times.
Cell phones and other electronic devices must be turned off or set to silent while you are shadowing.
Please remember that it is distracting and disrespectful to send/receive text messages while shadowing. Also, please do not bring large amounts of cash or other valuables (iPods, etc.) with you. We are not responsible for lost or stolen items.