WellSpan Health Shadowing Program
An opportunity to learn about health careers in York County

WellSpan Shadowing Program suspended until further notice There have been great concerns with the H1N1 virus and the effect this has on our patients, staff and visitors. WellSpan's leadership, Infection Control and Human Resources has determined we can best support the protection of the most people by temporarily suspending the Shadowing Program. We regret this step but the health of our patients and the community is our top priority. We will update our website accordingly when the program is reactivated.

What areas of interest are available for Shadowing?

• Administration *
• Administrative Assistant
• Apple Hill Surgical Center
  (choice of: anesthesiologist, nurse anesthetist, Operating Room nursing, or surgical technologist) *
• Biomedical Engineering *
• Child Life Specialist *
• Complementary Medicine (choice of: acupuncturist or massage therapist)*
• Crisis Intervention *
• Dental Center
• Dialysis Patient Care Technician *
• Dietitian (choice of: inpatient or outpatient)*
• Emergency (choice of: coding, registration, unit secretary)
• Financial Services*
• Food Services (choice of: culinary arts or management) *
• Graphic Design
• Heart Center (choice of: invasive or noninvasive) *
• Human Resources
• HVAC (heating, venting, and air conditioning)*
• Imaging (overview of: radiography, ultrasound, computed tomography, and nuclear
  medicine)*
• Information Services (data networking )
• Laboratory (choice of: clinical laboratory scientist, clinical laboratory technician, cytotechnologist, donor center phlebotomist, histotechnician, pathologist assistant, phlebotomist, or support services - clerical & specimen processing) *
• Legal Services (corporate)*
• Materials Management (choice of: inventory management, distribution, mail center, patient transport, or Central Sterile Services) *
• Medical Coding *
• Medical Office Assistant
• Neurodiagnostic Services *
• Nursing (RN only) *
• Nurse Practitioner*
• Occupational Therapy
• Paramedic
• Pastoral Care (discussion only) *
• Pharmacy (choice of: inpatient or retail) *
• Physical Therapy (choice of: inpatient or outpatient)
• Physician (2 sessions only - fall and spring) *
• Physician Assistant *
• Public Relations and Communications*
• Respiratory Therapy*
• Revenue Management (payor relations, medical appeals, coding, pricing, financial analysis, process improvement)*
• Safety and Security*
• Social Work (choice of: outpatient/clinical or community outreach) *
• Spanish Interpreter
• Speech-Language Pathology
• VNA Home Health and Hospice
• York Cancer Center (choice of: outpatient oncology nursing, outpatient radiation therapy, outpatient transfusion, oncology research program)

*Indicates restrictions apply; for more information, call 717-851-1675..

• Restrictions and descriptions of careers for college students and career change individuals (28kb PDF)
• Restrictions and descriptions of careers for high school students in grades 10 through 12 (28kb PDF)

"This is a time when students can observe the field they're interested in and get to ask questions to the professionals. Even if they find that this isn't the type of career they want to do, it can still be very beneficial." - high school guidance counselor

Who is eligible to participate?
Students in grades 10 through 12 can participate in the Shadowing Program. The program is also available to college students and those individuals considering a career change. Please note the restrictions that apply to some departments.

How does a student sign up?
High school students must work through their guidance counselor who will, in turn, contact the Human Resources Department. As soon as scheduling has been finalized, written confirmation will be sent to the guidance counselor. This will contain the name of the contact person and a map indicating parking and where the student should enter the facility.

College students and career change individuals may contact the Human Resources Department direct by calling 717-851-1675. Arrangements should be made at least three weeks in advance.

How long does the program last?
Depending upon the field of interest, a student can be in a particular area for two to four hours. The program is open to students September 22 to December 18, 2009 and January 25 to May 14, 2010.

Introduction to becoming a physician

Fall Date: Thursday, November 5, 2009
Spring Date: Thursday, April 8, 2010

During the program, students will meet as a group with physicians to learn about educational requirements, schooling and fields of medicine. Students will also hear from several specialty physicians and visit several hospital departments. Available to students in 11th and 12th grades with GPA of 3.0 or higher. Space is limited. It may be necessary to restrict the number of students per school district to allow all York County high schools to participate.

Snow policy
In the event of snow, the following procedures will be in effect:

• If student's school district is canceled, the shadowing experience will be canceled for the day. The guidance counselor should call to reschedule students.
• If a student's school district is delayed, Human Resources will go under the assumption that the shadowing appointment will take place. If the student cannot come in for the appointment, it is the student's responsibility to call the Human Resources Department at 717-851-1675 to cancel the appointment. If the student fails to call and does not come in for the appointment, the student will not be rescheduled.

If a WellSpan Health department cancels or postpones a shadowing student's appointment, Human Resources will try to give a minimum of 24 hours notice to the guidance counselor. These students will be rescheduled.

"It gave me insight into situations I would most likely face in the ER. It lets you see what is required of you so you can decide whether or not that profession is for you before you spend money for college." - student

Shadowing Program information

• If a student is unable to attend the appointment, the student should ask the guidance counselor to contact the Human Resources Department at 717-851-1675 as soon as possible to so the appropriate personnel can be notified.
• Any student who does not come in as specified, and for whom cancellation has not been made will be reported to his/her guidance counselor. Anyone failing to cancel will not be rescheduled.
• Students will be asked to sign confidentiality statements to protect our patients.
• Appropriate attire is required and comfortable shoes are recommended.
• For patient safety and security reasons, the Shadowing Program is not a "hands-on" experience.

Since the start of our Shadowing Program, over 8,000 students have previewed a health career in which they were interested. Area students and those desiring a career change have the opportunity to experience a field of their interest.

To allow sufficient time for scheduling your shadowing opportunity, please try to make arrangements for the Shadowing Program at least three weeks in advance.

For further information about the Shadowing Program, please contact Human Resources at (717) 851-1675.

1135 South Edgar Street
Suite 102
York, PA 17403
(717) 851-1675

  WellSpan Health Shadowing brochure
   (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.  Click here to download.)