Holiday Update: Application Pause

To allow our team time to celebrate the holiday season and focus on important improvements, all applications will be

temporarily closed from Friday, December 19, 2025 through Monday, January 5, 2026.

During this brief pause, well be working behind the scenes to refresh our website and enhance your experience.

Well return on January 5, 2026 with an updated site and look forward to welcoming you back. Thank you for your understanding, and we wish you a joyful and relaxing holiday season!

 

 

Observing at UCHealth
 University of Colorado Hospital and Metro Denver Clinics

 

Welcome to the Observership Program at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital - Colorado's #1 hospital, home to nationally recognized physicians and administrators dedicated to advancing healthcare and enhancing the well-being of our patients.

Our Observership Program offers primarily a 30-consecutive-day experience designed to provide meaningful, professional observation opportunities. This program reflects UCHealth's strong commitment to educating the next generation of clinical, administrative, and research leaders. Check the FAQs below for alternative Observership opportunities.

Through these Observerships, participants gain exposure to innovative practices, high-quality clinical and administrative care, and the latest advancements in healthcare. For established professionals, an Observership also offers a valuable chance to learn about cutting-edge processes, procedures, and system wide approaches to excellence.

We are excited to welcome you and support your journey in expanding your knowledge and expertise in healthcare.

 

    All forms and requirements for an Observership must be complete and submitted at least 30 days prior to the start of your experience.

     

    Important expectations to review prior to submitting a completed application:
    • Observerships are educational only and do not include any hands-on experience.
    • The Observership Program is a voluntary educational experience. It does not provide school credit, a certificate, or approval as a clinical rotation.
    • Observers must find their own sponsor by searching doctors, locations, and specialties at www.uchealth.org. Please review our FAQs below for more information.
    • Observers will not have physical contact with patients or provide advice on any cases.
    • Federal regulations prohibit participants in this program from conducting research.

     

    Please carefully review the application process and take note of deadlines.

 

Observership Application Process
**Pro tip: All steps below must be completed prior to submitting your application**

 

This is a multi-step application. Please read through our process and be aware of deadlines.The entire application process must be completed at least 30 days prior to beginning an observership.
If any part of the steps below is not completed within the deadline period, the Observership will not be approved. There will be no exceptions. We are not able to facilitate experiences that are not completed and submitted on time. Any costs incurred to complete this application are the responsibility of the applicant.

Questions?

Please reach out to us at uchobserverships@uchealth.org or call 720.848.1886 with any questions or concerns. We look forward to supporting your learning experience at UCHealth!

 

  • Step 1

    Identify your area of interest and connect with a UCHealth Sponsor.

    • UCHealth may not assist with Sponsor matching. 
    • For help approaching departments or providers, visit the FAQs section for communication tips and email guidance. 
    • Please note: You may not observe with a relative. 

  • Step 2

    Fill out the Observership application below. All uploads within this section are required at time of submission. We strongly encourage you to preview this portion of the application and gather all required documents below prior to starting your application.

    Documents must be legible and in English. Any documents not originally in English must be officially translated into English prior to uploading.

    • Photo Identification 
      • Accepted options:
        • Passport 
        • Visa 
        • U.S. issued ID 
    • Copy of Health Insurance coverage for the duration of your visit to Colorado 
      • In the event of an onset of illness or injury during the educational experience, appropriate emergency care, as provided to employees, will be provided to the visiting individual by UCHealth. The Observer agrees to maintain insurance coverage during the observation period, and the Observer will be liable for the cost of such care and obtaining appropriate follow-up care, if needed.

        •  

        **Pro tip: Some participants may choose to purchase health insurance as part of their plane ticket/airfare**

    • Current CV or resume
    • Documentation of current immunizations or titers including: 
      • MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
      • TDAP or DPT (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus) 
      • Varicella (chicken pox)
      • Hepatitis B 
      • Seasonal Flu Vaccination 
        • Required from October 1 to May 31. 
        • If all or some of your requested Observership falls within this timeframe, please plan to provide this documentation at the time of submission. 
        • For more guidance, check out our FAQ on immunizations 
      • COVID-19 Vaccination 
        • Strongly encouraged, but documentation is not mandatory at this time. 
    • Results of a negative TB test taken in the last 12 months. Acceptable TB tests include: 
      • Skin test (PPD), blood test (Quantiferon Gold), Chest x-ray report 
    • Provide a National Background Check from home country conducted within 6 months of start date. Background check must include:
      • The last seven years of applicable countries, states, and counties resided in and applicable name changes. 
        • You may need to request information from multiple countries. 
      • Criminal background check 
      • National sex offender list 
      • If you reside outside of the United States and are not able to complete all requirements necessary for this step, please review the FAQ on background checks prior to reaching out to our office. 
    • Excluded parties query of the General Service Administration's List of Parties Excluded from Federal Programs. 
      • This website is available to the public at https://oig.hhs.gov 
      • Visit website provided. Click on Exclusions. Search on searchable database for your name. Screenshot the results and upload a screenshot to your application. 

  • Step 3

    After you have submitted your initial application with all required documentation, there are still additional steps that must be completed before your Observership can be approved. You will need to log in to your portal to access and complete the three required education modules and their associated quizzes. 

    These modules are found under the Online Training tab in your portal. Each quiz must be successfully completed to move forward with your application. 

    **Important: Submitting your application and required documentation alone does not complete the process. Your application will remain incomplete until all required modules and quizzes are finished and verified** 

  • Step 4

    Once you've completed steps 1-3, you will receive an email from our Volunteer Services & Shadowing Office regarding the status of your application. If approved to move forward, an Observership Contract will be sent to you and your sponsor. 

    • The Observership Contract dictates the start and end dates of your observership. If the dates of your Observership change for any reason, you must notify the Volunteer Services & Shadowing Office. A new Observership Contract will need to be completed. 

  • Step 5

    Following the completion and approval of your application, the Volunteer Services & Shadowing Office will schedule a mandatory orientation on the first day of your observership prior to meeting with your Sponsor. 

    All uploaded documents are manually reviewed by our team to verify completeness, accuracy, and timing. Applications with incomplete or unverifiable documentation will result in a denied application. 

    Once submitted, your application will be reviewed. Due to high application volumes, observership opportunities are subject to availability and departmental discretion.

    •
    Observership Applications

  • UCH New Observer

    This application is intended for first-time Observers, unless you are eligible for a different application. Completed applications are due 30 days prior to your requested start date.

    New Observers must complete Steps 1 through 5.

    This application is currently closed and will reopen on Monday, January 5th.

  • UCH Current UCHealth Employee

    This application is for UCHealth employees who wish to complete an Observership.

    To apply, please use your professional @uchealth.org email address.

    Because you are a current employee, you are able to skip parts of Step 2. Health record and background check requirements are waived. After submitting the form, be sure to log in and complete the required online training modules.

    All mandatory application materials must be submitted at least 30 days prior to your requested start date.

    This application is currently closed and will reopen on Monday, January 5th.

  • UCH Current Faculty at an Academic Medical Facility

    This application is for Observers who are current faculty at an Academic Medical Center and have existing privileges to practice clinically. Applicants must submit the form using their professional email address.

    Health record requirements are waived for this group. Instead, applicants must upload a letter of good standing from their home facility. This letter should be on official letterhead and must confirm the applicant's good standing and current practicing faculty status.

    After completing the initial form, please log in to finish the required online training modules.

    All application materials must be submitted at least 30 days before your requested start date.

    This application is currently closed and will reopen on Monday, January 5th.

    •

    Frequently Asked Questions

  • Will UCHealth help cover my travel costs to attend an Observership?

    No. UCHealth is not responsible for travel, lodging, or personal expenses incurred while participating in an Observership.

    We recommend researching third-party scholarships or academic sponsorships that may help support your visit if you're traveling from outside the region, if applicable.

  • Can I use my Observership for school credit?

    No. UCHealth Observerships are strictly voluntary, non-credited experiences. They are not clinical rotations, not affiliated with academic residency programs, and cannot be used toward degree requirements. This is a non-certificate program. 

    They are designed to provide observational learning only and must not be substituted for academic, clinical, or research obligations.

  • How do I find a Sponsor?

    There are a few ways to identify a UCHealth employee or provider to sponsor an obervership experience:

    • Explore UCHealth.org: Visit www.uchealth.org and browse departments or specialties of interest. Many listings include direct contact information 
    • Call a UCHealth department: Dial the hospital's main line at 720-848-0000 and request to be transferred to a specific department or provider. 
    • Explore University of Colorado School of Medicine website and look for the list of providers: Visit University of Colorado School of Medicine  
    • Reach out via email: If you know the name of the individual you'd like to observe, try reaching out using the standard email formats below:
      • firstname.lastname@uchealth.org
      • firstname.lastname@cuanschutz.edu
        • (Please note: while these formats are common, they may not apply to all providers.)

    UCHealth Volunteer Services & Shadowing Office team members are not able to assist or match you with a potential Sponsor.

    Once you've connected with a Sponsor and confirmed their availability, you can proceed with submitting your complete application.

    Guidance for a successful outreach:

    When calling or emailing a department, use clear, respectful, and direct language to help the team understand your request. Here's how based on feedback we've received:

    • Introduce yourself and state your intent
    • Be clear about what you need
    • Share your details briefly

     

    Example: I'm currently a pre-med student interested in observing professionals in cardiology. I'm hoping to complete an observership experience sometime next month. I'd love to speak with someone who may be open to being my Sponsor.

  • What if I did not get a vaccination for an infection I previously had?

    If you have already had an illness such as chickenpox or measles, you may be able to submit a positive blood test result, called a titer, instead of a vaccine record.

    Titers show that you are protected from getting the illness again. We accept titers as proof of immunity for the following:

    • MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella)
    • Varicella (chickenpox)
    • Hepatitis B
    • Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis)

     

    If you live in a country where vaccines are not routinely given, or if you have never had the illness and do not have a titer, you must receive the required vaccines before applying to the program.

    At UCHealth and throughout the United States, all observers are required to be fully vaccinated to help protect our patients, staff, and facilities.

    If you are unable to locate your vaccine records, we recommend contacting your doctor or a local health clinic. They can help you obtain titers or receive the necessary vaccines before you apply.

  • When is my Observership application due?

    Your application must be completed at least 30 days prior to your first day observing. This includes:

    • Health Documents
    • Required educational modules
    • Background Check
    • Copy of insurance and ID
    • Final dates confirmed with your sponser

    There are no exceptions to this timeline. Late, incomplete, partially submitted, or applications not translated into English or legible will be declined without review.

    • The fully signed Observership Contract (including Sponsor, Department Chair, and Clinical Manager signatures) is completed through Doc-u-Sign. Once your application is approved, the Contract will be sent to you, your Sponsor and key individuals who need to be aware you will be in the facility.

  • My uploaded document still shows as pending. What do I need to do to have it shown as completed?

    All required documentation, including health records, must be submitted at the time of application. Once submitted, please allow up to 7 days for our team to review each document to ensure it:

    • Meets program requirements
    • Falls within the appropriate timeframe (for example, TB tests within the last year or a seasonal flu vaccine, if applicable)
    • Includes all required details and identifiers (such as your full name, date of birth, test results, and vaccine type)

     

    If your document status shows as pending, our team is still reviewing your submission. Please note that our office may update you on the status of your application at any time before your requested shadowing date.

    If you have questions, please contact us at uchobserverships@uchealth.org.

    Additional Requirements to Complete Your Application

    Please complete and sign the following forms:

    • Code of Conduct
    • Confidentiality Statement
    • Dress Code & Handbook Acknowledgement
    • Uniform & Badge Policy

    Please complete the following required trainings:

    • Three required education trainings (100% score required)
    • HIPAA training (100% score required)

    If all items above have been completed in your portal, no further action is required at this time. Please allow additional time for this manual review process, especially during periods of high application volume.

  • What if I need to postpone my Observership?

    If you need to postpone your observership, please let both your sponsor and the Volunteer Services and Shadowing office know. Email us at uchobserverships@uchealth.org so we can stay updated. This will close your current application.

    Dont worry, any documents you have already uploaded will count toward a future observership application.

    Once you have new dates confirmed with your sponsor, log into your portal, submit a "Returning Observer" application, and complete a new Observership Contract.

  • What do I need to know about the background check?

    You need a background check completed within 6 months before your start date. The background check should include:

    • Criminal history check
    • Records from the last seven years in all places you lived, including any name changes
    • Check of the U.S. General Services Administrations List of Parties Excluded from Federal Programs
    • National sex offender registry check

    You may need to request information from multiple countries.

    This hospital welcomes Observers from around the world. We cannot recommend a specific company or service to complete a background check. Many people use an online company, a pre-employment screening company, or their local police department. Please ensure your background check meets all the requirements above and is performed by a site that follows the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) .

    If you cannot complete all parts of the background check, please contact our office for assistance.

  • What does a completed Observership application look like?

    A complete application includes all required documents listed below. Each document must meet the provided guidelines. Before you begin your application, we strongly recommend gathering all required documents. This will help speed up the submission process and reduce delays due to missing or incorrect information.

    Documents must be legible and in English. Any documents not originally in English must be officially translated into English prior to uploading.

    Photo Identification

    Accepted options:

    • Passport
    • Visa
    • U.S. issued ID

    Health Insurance

    Provide a copy of health insurance coverage for the duration of your visit to Colorado. In the event of illness or injury during the educational experience, appropriate emergency care (as provided to employees) will be provided by UCHealth. Observers must maintain insurance coverage and will be responsible for the cost of care and any necessary follow-up.

    Pro tip: Some participants may choose to purchase health insurance as part of their plane ticket/airfare.

    Curriculum Vitae / Resume

    Submit a current CV or resume.

    Immunization Documentation or Titers

    Provide documentation for the following:

    • MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
    • TDAP or DPT (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus)
    • Varicella (chickenpox)
    • Hepatitis B
    • Seasonal Flu Vaccination (required from October 1 to May 31)

    If your Observership falls within this timeframe, please provide flu documentation at submission. For more guidance, check out our FAQ on immunizations.

    COVID-19 Vaccination

    Strongly encouraged, but documentation is not mandatory at this time.

    Tuberculosis (TB) Test

    Provide results of a negative TB test taken within the last 12 months. Acceptable tests include:

    • Skin test (PPD)
    • Blood test (Quantiferon Gold)
    • Chest x-ray report

    Background Check

    Provide a national background check from your home country conducted within 6 months of your start date. It must include:

    • The last seven years of countries, states, and counties resided in, including any name changes
    • Criminal background check
    • National sex offender list

    If you reside outside the United States and cannot complete all requirements, review our FAQ on background checks before contacting our office.

    Excluded Parties Check

    Perform a query on the General Services Administration's List of Parties Excluded from Federal Programs. Visit the website, click on Exclusions, search your name, and upload a screenshot of the results to your application.

    All uploaded documents are manually reviewed by our team to verify completeness, accuracy, and timing. Applications with incomplete or unverifiable documentation will be denied.

    Additional Tasks to Finalize a Complete Application

    Please complete and sign:

    • Code of Conduct
    • Confidentiality Statement
    • Dress Code & Handbook Acknowledgement
    • Uniform & Badge Policy

    Complete the following required trainings:

    • Three required education trainings (100% score required)
    • HIPAA training (100% score required)

    Important: Submitting your application and documents alone does not complete the process. Your application remains incomplete until all modules and quizzes are finished and verified.

    •