Attention
The Volunteer Services and Shadowing office will be closed from 12/30/24 - 01/03/2025. During this time, Shadowing applications will not be processed. Thank you for your understanding and patience. We will open again on 01/06/25.
Shadowing at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital and metro Denver clinics
Welcome to Shadowing at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital and metro Denver area clinics. Shadowing is a great way to gain familiarity with healthcare environments. Our Shadowing program allows learners to gain experience and understanding in a chosen area of interest through direct exposure to world class healthcare professionals.
Please carefully review the application process and take note of deadlines. This Shadowing program is designed to provide a structured educational experience for the Shadower, while maintaining the highest level of patient safety, security and privacy.
Sponsors and Shadowers
A Sponsor is a UCHealth employee, contractor or provider who has agreed to host a Shadower. The Sponsor must accompany the Shadower at all times during the Shadowing experience. Sponsor's please visit the Sponsor drop down for more information on your role and responsibilities.
A Shadower is an individual who would like to expand their knowledge through watching a UCHealth professional working in their field of expertise. The Shadower is responsible for identifying and communicating with their Spnsor to coordinate their experience. For more guidance on how to find a Sponsor, please read the FAQs on our home page.
- Shadowers must be at least 18 years old
- Shadowing is limited to 12 hours in a 12 month period and may be broken into shorter shadowing sessions
- Shadowing applicants are responsible for any costs incurred to gather the materials required for this application
Steps to complete the Shadowing application process
Step One: Determine your area of interest and who you would like to shadow. The Volunteer Services and Shadowing office is not able to find a Sponsor for a potential Shadower. For more guidance on how to find a Sponsor, please review the Shadowing FAQs on our home page.
Step Two: Coordinate a specific location, date, start time and end time to shadow your Sponsor.
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If the date, start time, or end time of your event changes you MUST update the Volunteer Services and Shadowing office. Updates to your application will be due one week prior to your new shadowing time.
Step Three: Complete the shadowing application below. A complete application, including all requested documents, must be submitted at least one-week prior to your shadowing date.We are not able to facilitate experiences for applications not completed and submitted online.
It is highly recommended to gather all required documents prior to starting your application.
Step Four: Complete the UCHealth Shadowing facility orientation located under the online training tab. You must score 100% to be approved to shadow.
Step Five: Upload documentation of current health records to your account. Current UCHealth employees do not need to complete this step.
- MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) - completed immunization series or positive titers
- TDAP or DPT (diptheria, pertussis, tetanus) - completed immunization series or positive titers
- Varicella (chicken pox) - completed immunization series or positive titer
- Results of a negative TB test completed within the last 12 months. Acceptable TB tests include:
- Skin test (PPD), blood test (Quantiferon Gold), Chest x-ray report
- Seasonal flu vaccination (October-May)
- A COVID-19 vaccination series is not mandatory, although it is highly encouraged.
Once your document is uploaded, please allow time for it to be reviewed by a staff member.
Once all steps have been completed, please allow time for your Shadowing application to be reviewed by a staff member. The applicant will recieve a status update via email after a staff member has processed the application. Due to the high volume of applications recieved, Shadowing experiences are subject to availability and department discretion.
Day of Shadowing Expectations
Upon being approved, the Shadower will receive a confirmation email which will include additional instructions
Please bring a photo ID
Dress professionally and arrive in business casual attire
Scrubs, white coats, and jeans will not be permitted
In respect of patient privacy, please turn off cell phones. Pictures and recordings are a violoation of HIPAA
Please remember patients may decline having a Shadower in the room
You will receive an email from Volunteer Services and Shadowing to confirm when all steps have been completed. If you have any questions, please email uchshadowing@uchealth.org.