Observer Program
The Observer Program is open to individuals 16 years and older who are interested in exploring careers in a health care field. Whether you are a high schooler, college student, or second career adult, the Observer Program provides opportunities to observe Children’s Minnesota staff, learn more about their field, and explore possible careers. This experience is entirely hands-off and is supervised by a professional. See available departments here. An observation is limited to one day for a maximum of eight hours. Individuals are limited to participating in the Observer Program one time per semester and once in a particular discipline. For common questions about the Observer Program, visit our FAQ page.
How to apply to the Observer Program
1. Complete application online
2. Submit immunizations
Immunizations can be sent in by email ([email protected]) or fax (612-813-6147).
Required immunizations include:
- Negative tuberculosis test (TB) [Mantoux/Skin test, QuantiFERON, or T-SPOT] within the past 12 months
- Chickenpox/varicella
- MMR
- Tdap
- COVID-19 vaccine
- Flu vaccine (if applying October-April)
Monthly deadlines when applying to observe
- The application is open the 5-10th of each month. Submit your application the month before you wish to observe. (For example: apply between January 5-10 to observe in February).
- Applications will only be considered for placement when complete immunization records have also been received by the 10th of the month. (Using the same example, immunization records must be received by January 10 to observe in February.)
Important Information
- Due to high demand, observers may not observe the same discipline more than once and may not observe more than once in one semester
- Due to staff availability, we are not always able to provide a match. If you do not receive a ‘matched’ email by the end of the month, please reapply and resend your complete immunization records during subsequent months.
- Note: If a staff member has already agreed to sponsor you for an observation shift, you can submit a “sponsor known” application any time. Contact the Observer Program office for a “sponsor known” observer application: [email protected].
Observer Program FAQs
Informational interviews
Connect with a Children’s Minnesota staff member to get your questions answered and find out more about the health care career you are interested in. Informational interviews are offered as an opportunity to connect with staff either by phone or through email.
Please submit your application for an informational interview here. Opportunities are based on staff availability. We will reach out to you once a staff member has been identified who can meet with you by phone or email. If you have any questions, email [email protected].
Child Life informational sessions
Children’s Minnesota offers Child Life informational sessions several times a year. This is an opportunity to learn from and connect with a Certified Child Life Specialist.
Note: Immunizations are not required to attend an informational session. These sessions are only about the field of Child Life, they are not a prerequisite to observing, nor are they about the medical field in any other way than in its connection to Child Life.
Sessions for 2024 will be offered via Teams and are scheduled for:
- Tuesday, January 16, 3 – 4 p.m.
- Tuesday, April 16, 4 – 5 p.m.
- Tuesday, July 16, 3 – 4 p.m.
- Tuesday, October 15, 4 – 5 p.m.
Register for upcoming sessions
Registration opens 30 days prior to each session. Click here to register for a session. You will receive further information before the session. Please email [email protected] if you have further questions about these sessions.
Music Therapy informational sessions
Children’s Minnesota offers Music Therapy informational sessions several times a year. Music therapists are allied members of the health care team, and use evidence-based music therapy interventions to work with patients of all ages and their families to promote healing in the hospital environment. This is an opportunity to learn from and connect with a Board-Certified Music Therapist.
Note: Immunizations are not required to attend an informational session. These sessions are only about the field of Music Therapy, they are not a prerequisite to observing, nor are they about the medical field in any other way than in its connection to Music Therapy.
Sessions for 2024 will be offered via Teams and are scheduled for:
- Thursday, March 14, 3 – 4 p.m.
- Thursday, June 13, 3 – 4 p.m.
- Thursday, September 12, 3 – 4 p.m.
- Thursday, December 12, 3 – 4 p.m.
Register for upcoming sessions
Registration opens 30 days prior to each session. Click here to register for a session. You will receive further information before the session. Please email [email protected] if you have further questions about these sessions.