Observer Program
The Observer Program is open to members of the community who are interested in exploring careers in the health care field. Whether you are a high schooler, college student, or second career adult, the Observer Program provides opportunities to 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. Positions are limited and based on staff availability. See available departments here.
For common questions about the Observer Program, visit our FAQ page.
Observer eligibility requirements
- Be a minimum of 16 years old.
- Submit documentation of immunization records: vaccines required include chickenpox/varicella, MMR, Tdap, negative tuberculosis test (Mantoux/Skin test, QuantiFERON, or T-SPOT) within the past 12 months, COVID-19 vaccine, and flu (if during flu season).
- Please note: due to high demand, observers may not observe the same discipline more than once or observe more than once in one semester.
How to apply
- Download and complete an Observer Program application.
- The application is open from the 5th-10th of the month prior to your desired observation date (for example: apply between January 5-10 to observe in February).
- Submit required immunization records via scan/email to: [email protected] by the 10th of the month.
- Applications will only be considered for placement when complete immunization records have been received by the 10th.
- 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 an application any time. Contact the Observer Program office for a “sponsor known” observer application at email: [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 2023 will be offered via Teams and are scheduled for:
- Tuesday, January 17, 3 – 4 p.m.
- Tuesday, April 18, 4 – 5 p.m.
- Tuesday, July 18, 3 – 4 p.m.
- Tuesday, October 17, 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 2023 will be offered via Teams and are scheduled for:
- Tuesday, May 23, 3 – 4 p.m.
- Thursday, July 20, 3 – 4 p.m.
- Wednesday, October 18, 3:30 – 4:30 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.