Shadowing at UCHealth
 University of Colorado Hospital and Metro Denver Clinics

 

Welcome to the Shadowing Program at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital and metro Denver area clinics. Shadowing is a meaningful way to explore healthcare environments and watch professionals in real-time clinical settings. Shadowing is limited to 12 total hours within a 12-month period, per applicant. This program is designed to provide a structured, educational experience for the Shadower while prioritizing the safety, security, and privacy of our patients and staff.

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

Sponsors and Shadowers

Sponsors are UCHealth employees or UCHealth credentialed providers who agree to host a Shadower and accompany them for the entire duration of their experience. Sponsors play a critical role in ensuring compliance with all policies and safety expectations.

To learn more about the Sponsor's role and responsibilities, please visit the Sponsor Guide.

Shadowers are individuals 18 years of age and older who seek to watch and learn from the performance of clinical and/or non-clinical role functions, systems, and processes. Shadowers are responsible for identifying and securing their own Sponsor prior to applying.

For guidance on how to connect with a Sponsor and make a successful request, please review our detailed FAQ on how to connect with a potential Sponsor below.

Shadowing Application Process

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

  • Step 1

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

    • The UCHealth Volunteer Services and Shadowing Office 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 shadow a relative.

  • Step 2

    Coordinate the location, date, start time, and end time with your Sponsor.

    • If your shadowing date or time changes, you must notify the Shadowing Office, even if your application is still pending.
    • All updated applications must be submitted at least 7 days prior to the new requested date.
    • For more information on how to change your Shadowing date, visit the FAQ below. 

  • Step 3

    Once submitted, your application will be reviewed. You will receive an email notification with your application status once all steps are completed and your Sponsor has confirmed participation.

    Due to high application volumes, shadowing opportunities are subject to availability and departmental discretion.

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    Shadowing Expectations

    Once your Shadowing experience is approved, you will receive a final confirmation email with check-in instructions and a reminder of the expectations listed below: 

    On the day of your shadowing experience: 

    • Bring a valid photo ID 
    • Dress in business casual attire 
      • No jeans, personal scrubs, or white coats. 
    • Cell phones must be silenced at all times. Photography or recording is strictly prohibited. 
    • Be aware that patients have the right to decline Shadower presence 
    • You will receive a UCHealth Shadowing badge that is required to be on your person at all times. 
    • Check in and out at the designated Information Desk
      • At time of check out, your Shadowing badge must be returned to the Information Desk. 

    Questions? 

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

    Shadowing Applications

  • New Shadower

    This application is intended for first-time shadowers, unless you are eligible for a different application. Completed applications are due 7 days prior to your requested shadowing date.

    We encourage you to gather the required documentation before starting. All required documentation is due at time of submission. A complete application includes:

    • Negative TB test (within the past 12 months). Acceptable tests include:
      • Skin test (PPD)
      • Blood test (QuantiFERON Gold)
      • Chest X-ray with report
    • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) Completed immunization series or positive titers.
    • TDAP or DPT (Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus) Completed immunization series or positive titers.
    • Varicella (Chickenpox) Completed immunization series or positive titers.
    • Seasonal Flu Vaccination (Required from October 1 to May 31).
      • If all or some of your requested shadowing experience falls within this timeframe, please plan to provide this documentation at the time of submission.
    • COVID-19 Vaccination (Strongly encouraged but documentation not mandatory at this time).

     

    Please note: All required health documentation must be in English or professionally translated into English and legible.

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

     

    Apply to be a New Shadower

  • Current UCHealth Employee

    This application is for UCHealth employees who wish to participate in shadowing.

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

    Because you are a current employee, health record requirements are waived. After submitting the form, be sure to log in and complete the required online training modules.

    All application materials must be submitted at least 7 days before your requested shadowing date.

     

    Apply to be a Current Employee Shadower

  • Current Faculty at an Academic Medical Center Facility

    This application is for shadowers who are current faculty at an Academic Medical Center located in the United States 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 7 days before your requested shadowing date.

     

    Apply to be an Academic Medical Center Facility Shadower

  • Virtual Shadower

    This application is for individuals who will be participating in a virtual shadowing experience.

    After you submit the initial form, please log in to complete the required online training modules.

    All application materials must be submitted at least 7 days before your requested shadowing date.

     

    Apply to be a Virtual Shadower

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    Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do I find a Sponsor?

    There are a few ways to identify a UCHealth employee or provider to sponsor a shadowing 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 shadowing professionals in cardiology. I'm hoping to shadow sometime next month. I'd love to speak with someone who may be open to being my Sponsor.

  • My uploaded document is still pending. How can I mark it 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 seasonal flu vaccine if applicable)
    • Contains all necessary details and identifiers (for example, your full name, test result, vaccine type, etc.)

     

    If your document status shows pending, our team is still verifying your submission. 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 uchshadowing@uchealth.org.

    Additional Tasks to Finalize a Complete Application

    • Complete & sign the Shadowing Participant Agreement
    • Complete & sign the Confidentiality Statement
    • Complete the Shadowing Orientation Quiz (100% score required)
    • Complete HIPAA trainings (100% score required)
    • Verify that your sponsor has reviewed & signed the Sponsor Acknowledgement Form

     

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

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

    If you've had a prior infection (i.e., chickenpox or measles) but don't have a vaccination record, you may submit positive titer results in place of vaccine documentation. These blood tests confirm immunity and are accepted by UCHealth as an alternative to vaccination records.

  • When is my Shadowing application due?

    All shadowing applications must be fully completed and submitted at least 7 days prior to your scheduled shadowing date. This includes:

    • All required health documentation
    • Completed agreements and orientation test
    • Sponsor acknowledgement with finalized date/time of shadowing

     

    Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted. Due to a high increase in shadowing application requests, we are now requiring completed shadowing applications be submitted a minimum of 7 days prior to your requested shadowing date. If your application doesn't meet this requirement, it will be rejected, and a new application will need to be submitted.

    Once your application is acknowledged by your Sponsor and approved by the Volunteer Services & Shadowing Office, you'll receive an official confirmation email with pertinent information regarding Day-Of expectations and more.

  • How do I schedule or reschedule shadowing hours?

    Shadowing hours are scheduled directly between the applicant and their confirmed UCHealth Sponsor. Once you and your sponsor have agreed on a date and time, ensure all your documentation is ready to submit a complete application via this website using the drop-down menu above.

    Important Notes About Scheduling

    • Shadowing experiences are limited to 12 hours total within a 12-month period.
    • Shadowing requests must be submitted at least 7 days before your scheduled date.

    Need to Reschedule?

    If your plans or your Sponsors plans change:

    • First, coordinate with your Sponsor on a new date and time.
    • Then, notify the Volunteer Services & Shadowing Office.

    Even if your application is still pending, you must notify us of any cancellations. This ensures the integrity of our hour tracking and program limits.

    How to Submit a New Date

    • Log into your existing portal via the Sign In feature in the top left corner of this page.
    • Click on Apply for Additional Shadowing Hours.
    • Your previous application will auto-populate. Update the new date and time before resubmitting.
    • After a cancellation, you will receive an email with additional guidance and instructions for resubmitting your request.

    If you have questions or need help navigating the portal, dont hesitate to contact us at uchshadowing@uchealth.org.

  • I'm a sponsor. What do I need to know?

    As a Sponsor, you are responsible for supervising the Shadower throughout their entire experience. Here's what you should know:

    • The Shadower must always be in your presence or the presence of a designated UCHealth team member.
    • You must obtain verbal patient consent before a Shadower enters a patient's room
    • You will receive a Sponsor Acknowledgement Form via email to review. Please confirm or deny your understanding of this commitment.
    • You are responsible for ensuring the Shadower returns their UCHealth-issued badge after the session
    • Review our Sponsor Guide for full details

  • I'm an active UCHealth employee, what do I need to know to Shadow?

    As an active* UCHealth employee, your health requirements are waived therefore not required during the application process. However, you are still required to complete all other components of the application, including the orientation test, agreements, and sponsor coordination. This application process only applies to active UCHealth employees.

    *An active UCHealth employee has a uchealth.org email

  • How do I know I'm shadowing at the right location? How can I confirm I'm in the right place?

    To ensure you're shadowing at the correct UCHealth facility, it's important to first verify the location your Sponsor is affiliated with, and then ensure it aligns with the hospital listed on your application.

    To confirm this:

    • Visit www.uchealth.org
    • Click on the Volunteer link at the bottom of the homepage
    • Select the hospital or clinic location where you intend to shadow (e.g., University of Colorado Hospital, Highlands Ranch Hospital, etc.)

     

    Each facility page will provide:

    • A general location overview
    • Contact information
    • Parking or arrival instructions
    • Volunteer/Shadowing-specific pages for that site

     

    Once you've connected with your Sponsor, ask them to confirm:

    • The exact facility or clinic name
    • The address or entrance where you should check in
    • Any special instructions for parking or arriving on the unit
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