As a high school student interested in healthcare, the field can feel both meaningful and uncertain at the same time. You might be studying biology and learning about systems and diseases, but that only shows part of the picture. Healthcare involves coordination, patient interaction, and working in environments where decisions matter. One of the best ways to truly understand this is by taking up healthcare internships for high school students.

Picture yourself observing how a hospital department functions, assisting with basic tasks, or learning how healthcare professionals manage their daily routines. You might be organizing records, supporting staff, or seeing how patient care is structured across different settings. By stepping into a real environment, you begin to understand how healthcare operates beyond theory.

How to choose the best healthcare internships for high school students?

It can be difficult to identify the right internship. Some opportunities may be too basic, too repetitive, or disconnected from actual healthcare work. That’s why guidance is important to help you sort through the options and find experiences that offer real exposure.

Many hospitals, clinics, and healthcare organizations offer internships designed for high school students. These programs are often structured, supervised, and focused on giving you insight into different areas of healthcare. You may observe various departments, learn about basic protocols, and understand how teams work together in practice.

Of course, once the internship begins, you’ll need to stay engaged and make the most of the experience. For now, we’ve made your search easier. To help you choose, we’ve put together a list of 15 healthcare internships for high school students, selected for their structure, mentorship, and practical exposure.

In addition to healthcare internships, you can also take a look at medical internships for high school students and medical summer programs for high school students.

15 Healthcare Internships for High School Students

1. Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.) Internship Program

Location: Cuyahoga County, Ohio, USA 
Cost: Free (Participants receive 1 paycheck for completing 125 hours of work) 
Dates: Varies by placement (Summer internships run from May through August, with other seasons available based on employer demand) 
Application Deadline: April 1st
Eligibility: High school students living in Cuyahoga County, Ohio; the Career-Matching track requires 10th through 12th graders to hold a 3.0 grade point average or higher, while the Foundational Skills track accepts all grade levels. Because the organization strictly limits participation to local county residents, international students do not qualify

The Y.O.U. Internship Program places you in a 125-hour paid internship where you explore healthcare roles based on your interests. If you are in the Career-Matching track, you work with a mentor on projects connected to your goals, while also attending regular sessions that focus on communication and workplace skills.

Your schedule runs through the summer, and during that time, you also meet professionals working in the local healthcare system. The application process includes transcripts, short responses, and an interview before placement. By the end, you complete the full work requirement and receive a paycheck along with experience that reflects how healthcare workplaces operate day to day. You can first fill out the interest form here!

Why it stands out: Teenagers earn a steady paycheck while completing 125 hours of professional networking and hands-on medical work within their local community.

2. Immerse Education’s Medicine Summer School

Location: Multiple global locations, including London, Oxford, New York, Toronto, Cambridge, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, plus online options 
Cost: Varies; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme
Dates: The program offers multiple 2-week sessions between late June and July
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions on a first-come, first-served basis
Eligibility: High school students aged 15 to 18; international students across the globe are eligible to apply

The Immerse Education Medicine Summer School in New York lets high school students explore the world of healthcare while living on campus at Barnard College, Columbia University. You will study in small groups of around 7–10 students and learn from experienced tutors through interactive workshops, case-based learning, and real-world simulations. You will be introduced to medical concepts like patient care, clinical reasoning, and ethical decision-making.

You may find yourself analysing clinical case studies, visiting research facilities or hospitals, and developing your communication and critical thinking skills in settings that mirror real medical environments. By the end of the programme, you’ll complete a personal project, receive written feedback from your tutors, and earn a certificate of completion.

Why it stands out: High schoolers study real medical cases under the guidance of expert university tutors while living inside historic colleges at famous global universities.

3. UMass Chan High School Health Careers Program (HSHCP)

Location: UMass Chan Medical School (with overnight dormitories at Worcester State University), Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
Cost: Free (participants actually earn 1 $600 stipend, and the program covers housing, breakfast, and dinner, plus a daily $15 lunch ticket)
Dates: June 28th to July 24th (4 weeks)
Application Deadline: March 2nd
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors residing in Massachusetts who are at least 16 years old by June 15th, and hold U.S. citizenship or permanent residency; international students cannot apply

Among the more academically structured healthcare internships for high school students, UMass Chan’s program runs as a four-week residential experience where you live in dorms and attend daily academic sessions on a medical campus. You study subjects like biology, maths, and communication while also working on a group research project focused on health disparities.

The project builds toward a final presentation in front of a panel, which requires you to explain your findings clearly. You also take part in job shadowing, where you observe healthcare professionals working in clinical settings. Evening sessions include guest lectures and guidance on SAT prep and medical careers.

Why it stands out: Disadvantaged Massachusetts teenagers get paid to live on a university campus while completing intensive SAT preparation and shadowing real medical professionals.

4. MAHEC Project PROMISE Internships

Location: Local clinics and healthcare settings across 4 counties (Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, and Yancey), North Carolina, USA 
Cost: Free (students earn high school course credit for their participation) 
Dates: 135 hours during the spring semester (students work every afternoon) 
Application Deadline: Specific dates vary by high school, so students must ask their local advisor to apply before the spring semester begins
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who maintain a 3.0 weighted GPA or higher, have reliable transportation, and attend public school in Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, or Yancey counties; international students living outside these 4 specific North Carolina counties are not eligible to apply

MAHEC’s Project PROMISE places you in local clinics for at least 135 hours during your spring semester, where you spend afternoons observing healthcare professionals. You rotate across different specialties such as pediatrics, physical therapy, dentistry, and surgery, which gives you exposure to how each field operates.

Alongside shadowing, you receive training in research basics, patient privacy, and workplace safety. Medical students from the University of North Carolina also guide you through planning your college path. The program is built into your school schedule, so you earn credit while completing your hours.

Why it stands out: Rural high schoolers earn class credit while shadowing doctors in 12 different medical specialties every afternoon.

5. Broad Summer Scholars Program (BSSP)

Location: Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA 
Cost: Free (participants earn a $3,600 stipend and receive partial reimbursement for transportation costs) 
Dates: June 29th to August 7th (6 weeks) 
Application Deadline: January 21st
Eligibility: High school juniors attending school in Massachusetts who live within commuting distance of the institute and maintain at least a B average in science and math classes; international students apply if they possess official U.S. employment authorization, but they must still meet the strict Massachusetts residency and school requirements

The Broad Summer Scholars Program stands out among healthcare internships for high school students by placing you inside a research institute where you work on scientific projects related to areas like cancer biology or infectious disease. You spend six weeks learning lab techniques, analysing data, and understanding how research is structured. Mentors guide you through complex concepts that connect directly to your project.

The program also includes lectures, college-focused sessions, and team activities that add context to your work. At the end, you present your research through a formal poster session.

Why it stands out: Local high schoolers earn a generous stipend while conducting original medical research at a world-famous biomedical research institute.

6. MAHEC Medical Mentoring Program (MMMP)

Location: Asheville, North Carolina, USA (with rotations at Mission Health and the Western Carolina Medical Society) 
Cost: Free (participants earn 135 high school credit hours for 1 honors-level course) 
Dates: 1 semester (runs during Fall or Spring, from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM daily) 
Application Deadline: March 20th
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who maintain a minimum 3.0 weighted GPA and attend specific local schools in Asheville, Buncombe County, or Henderson County; international students living outside these local school districts are not eligible to apply

The MAHEC Medical Mentoring Program runs during your school semester, where you leave campus each afternoon to work in clinical settings. You spend 135 hours observing doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals across multiple specialties.

The program includes rotations through hospitals, clinics, and community care settings, which shows how different systems operate. You also attend lectures from healthcare leaders and use part of your time for college planning or community service. The structure allows you to build experience gradually while staying within your school schedule.

Why it stands out: Shadowing doctors inside real hospitals while earning official honors-level class credit.

7. St. Jude High School Research Immersion Program

Location: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA 
Cost: Free (participants earn a $4,800 stipend for their full-time work of 40 hours per week) 
Dates: June 1st to July 25th (8 weeks) 
Application Deadline: Applications will open in September 
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 16 years old, hold a 3.0 GPA, and attend school in the Memphis-Shelby County area or immediate surrounding counties in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas; international students living outside this specific geographical region are not eligible to apply

St. Jude’s program runs for eight weeks, where you work full-time in a research setting alongside mentors and educators. You are assigned to a project in areas like epidemiology, psychology, or data analysis, and you work in pairs to complete it.

Your daily work involves understanding problems, handling data, and contributing to the research process. You also write a personal statement based on your experience, which connects your work to future applications. At the end, you present your findings through a formal poster.

Why it stands out: Local teenagers earn a large $4,800 payment while spending 8 weeks completing real medical research alongside expert scientists.

8. KP LAUNCH High School Program

Location: Kaiser Permanente medical centers and business offices in Northern California, USA 
Cost: Free (participants earn a wage of approx. $23 per hour)
Dates: June 15th to July 31st 
Application Deadline: January 9th
Eligibility: High school students ages 16 to 19 who maintain a permanent residence in a Northern California Kaiser Permanente service area; international students are eligible to apply only if they possess legal authorization to work in the United States

Kaiser Permanente’s KP LAUNCH program places you in a paid role within a healthcare organization, where you work 40 hours a week during the summer. Your responsibilities focus on administrative tasks inside hospitals or business offices, which shows how healthcare systems operate behind the scenes.

You also attend weekly workshops that build communication and workplace skills. Mentors guide you throughout the program and answer questions about careers in healthcare. The experience gives you a clearer understanding of how large medical systems function.

Why it stands out: Teenagers earn a generous hourly wage while learning the administrative side of a major healthcare organization.

9. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) Summer Student Program

Location: MSKCC Main Campus, Manhattan, New York, USA 
Cost: Free (students receive a $1,200 stipend, but housing and transportation are not provided) 
Dates: June 29th to August 21st (8 weeks) 
Application Deadline: February 6th
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 14 years old by June, maintain a 3.5 GPA in science classes, and live within 25 miles of the main campus; applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States, meaning international students without valid employment authorization are not eligible

As one of the more prestigious healthcare internships for high school students, Memorial Sloan Kettering’s program places you in a research lab in Manhattan, where you work full-time on a project connected to cancer biology, pharmacology, or structural biology. You are assigned a mentor and become part of an active lab, which means your work is tied to ongoing research.

Your day usually involves assisting with experiments, organizing and analyzing data, and attending lab meetings where progress is discussed in detail. You also see how different teams interact, especially when research connects to clinical work. Over eight weeks, you begin to understand how large research hospitals operate, not just in theory, but through daily workflow and decision-making.

Why it stands out: Local teenagers earn a $1,200 stipend while conducting real cancer research inside a world-famous hospital in Manhattan.

10. Los Angeles Pediatric Society (LAPS) Eve and Gene Black Summer Medical Career Program

Location: Various medical facilities across Los Angeles County and adjacent counties, California, USA (with virtual and in-person options) 
Cost: Free (1 participant is awarded a $500 scholarship) 
Dates: 2 to 4 weeks during July and August 
Application Deadline: Applications usually close in mid-February
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (grades 11 and 12) who are at least 16 years old and reside in Los Angeles County or its adjacent counties; international students living outside this specific region are not eligible to apply

The LAPS program runs through a mix of virtual sessions and in-person experiences where you are introduced to different medical specialties. Each day, you attend sessions led by healthcare professionals who walk you through their work, whether it’s pediatric surgery, radiology, infectious disease, or emergency care. These sessions often focus on specific cases or procedures, which makes the discussion more concrete.

You are encouraged to ask questions and understand how these professionals reached their roles. Over time, you begin to see how different specialties connect within a larger healthcare system and how responsibilities shift across roles.

Why it stands out: Teenagers interact directly with working pediatric specialists to learn about diverse medical careers before entering college.

11. Weill Cornell Medicine Department of Pediatrics Summer Internship

Location: Weill Cornell Medicine, New York City, New York, USA (options for fully on-site, hybrid, or fully remote work depending on the project) 
Cost: Free (interns receive a modest stipend upon completion, but housing, food, and transportation are not covered) 
Dates: June 1st to August 7th (applicants choose between a 6-week or 10-week program) 
Application Deadline: January 5th (the application portal opens on December 8th) 
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors, current college students, university graduates, and medical students; international students cannot apply because the program explicitly states they are unable to sponsor visas

Weill Cornell’s internship places you in a pediatric research setting where you work on a project aligned with your interests. You might focus on areas like neonatal infections, asthma, or kidney disease, depending on the team you join. Your work involves reading research papers, helping with data collection, and understanding how studies are designed and interpreted.

Faculty mentors guide you through the process, especially when the material becomes more technical. You also contribute to outreach efforts by helping create educational content for patients and families, which adds a different layer to your work. 

Why it stands out: Participants receive a stipend and dedicated faculty mentorship while contributing to specialized pediatric research at a premier medical institution in New York City.

12. Denver Health Medical Career Collaborative (MC2)

Location: Denver Health and Children’s Hospital Colorado locations (Denver Metro or Colorado Springs area), Colorado, USA 
Cost: Free (participants earn money through a paid internship) 
Dates: 100 to 120 hours during the junior year (the program spans the junior and senior years of high school) 
Application Deadline: Typically in March
Eligibility: High school sophomores who attend school in the Denver Metro or Colorado Springs area; applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States, meaning international students without valid work authorization cannot apply

MC2 runs across two years, which gives you time to settle into the environment instead of rushing through it. You complete over 100 hours of paid work inside the Denver Health system, where you are paired with a mentor such as a nurse, physician, or healthcare staff member. Your role varies depending on placement, but you are consistently exposed to how care is delivered and managed.

Alongside your shifts, you attend seminars and site visits that explain medical topics and career pathways in more detail. The program also supports you with college applications, including essays and financial aid, which becomes useful as you move into your senior year. 

Why it stands out: High school students complete a paid hospital internship alongside a dedicated medical mentor while receiving long-term support for their college applications.

13. UT MD Anderson Cancer Center High School Summer Program

Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA 
Cost: Free (invitees actually earn a $7,200 stipend for the full 10-week session, but they must secure their own housing, transportation, and meals) 
Dates: June 1st to August 7th (10 weeks, or 9 weeks for those graduating after May 31st) 
Application Deadline: January 14th
Eligibility: Texas high school seniors who are at least 18 years old by the start date, are accepted into a college for the upcoming fall, and hold U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or a work-eligible visa; international students without a valid work-eligible visa are not eligible to apply

MD Anderson’s program is highly selective and places a small group of students into full-time research roles for 10 weeks. You work 40 hours each week in a lab focused on oncology, where you carry out experiments, record results, and follow how research projects develop over time. Faculty mentors guide your work, but you are expected to understand what you are doing and why each step matters.

The program also includes seminars and discussions that explain current developments in cancer research and treatment. As the weeks pass, you move from basic tasks into a clearer understanding of how research contributes to patient care. The experience ends with a formal presentation where you explain your work in detail.

Why it stands out: A highly selective group of 6 Texas high school seniors earns a $7,200 stipend to conduct hands-on cancer research at one of the top cancer centers in the world.

14. Arthritis Foundation Summer Science Internship

Location: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and affiliated institutions, San Francisco, California, USA 
Cost: Free (students will receive a total of $2,500 stipend, half at the beginning and half at the end of the internship) 
Dates: 8 weeks (June 1st to August 28th)
Application Deadline: March 10th
Eligibility: High school juniors, high school seniors, and college undergraduates; the official website does not state explicit restrictions against international students, so applicants should verify their visa and work authorization status directly with UCSF

The Arthritis Foundation internship places you in research labs at UCSF, where you choose between tracks like clinical research, lab-based science, or bioinformatics. You spend eight weeks working on projects related to arthritis and autoimmune diseases, which involve both data analysis and experimental work, depending on your track.

You work with mentors who guide you through technical processes and help you understand how these conditions are studied. Some days are focused on lab procedures, while others involve reviewing research or working with datasets. The stipend is split across the program, and the work gradually becomes more familiar as you settle into the environment. 

Why it stands out: High school and college students conduct actual clinical and computational research inside laboratories at the University of California, San Francisco.

15. University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford Summer Science Internship

Location: University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, Rockford, Illinois, USA
Cost: Free (participants receive a stipend sponsored by Thermo Fisher Scientific)
Dates: June 15th to August 7th (nearly 2 months)
Application Deadline: April 17th
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old by May 1st, and attend specific eligible high schools in the Rockford School District and nearby communities; international students residing outside this region are not eligible to apply because the program restricts admission strictly to a list of local Illinois high schools

The Rockford internship places you in a university lab for about seven weeks, where you work on projects tied to areas like cancer research, vaccine development, or drug design. You are trained in lab techniques early on, then spend your time applying those methods under the supervision of medical scientists.

The program includes structured sessions on communication, where you work on resumes, interviews, and public speaking. You are part of a small group, which means your role in the lab is more direct and visible. As your project develops, you organize your findings and prepare to present them both as a speech and a poster. You can apply here.

Why it stands out: A highly selective group of 7 local high school students earns a sponsored stipend to perform advanced biomedical research alongside leading medical scientists.

From Healthcare Internships to Deeper Medical Insight

The value of early healthcare experience often lies in what it reveals quietly: how care is coordinated, how teams communicate, and how responsibility shapes every decision.

That is why healthcare internships for high school students can matter so much, giving you a closer view of medicine not only as a subject, but as a lived profession.

With each placement, observation, and interaction, your understanding becomes more layered, helping you see beyond job titles and into the realities of patient care.

Want to deepen that understanding even further? Open our Medicine Top Books Guide to discover powerful reads that can sharpen your thinking and expand your view of medicine.