Career Exploration Programs

The Medical University Hospital Authority (MUHA) recognizes the value of visitors and developing future healthcare workers. Therefore, MUHA will collaborate with a variety of partnerships to enhance the awareness and training of those interested in health careers through career exploration and development. Students and/or individuals governed by the Visitor and Career Exploration Programs policy include those participating in facility tours, job shadowing, observing, mentoring and clinical sponsorship, as deemed appropriate. Please note that applications should be submitted a minimum of one month prior to the desired start date, but no earlier than 3 months before the desired start date.

Infographic on finding a sponsor for Career Exploration

To learn more about our career exploration programs, select from the list below:

Job Shadowing
Observation
Mentoring
Clinical Sponsorship
Visiting Practitioners 

Clinical Job Shadowing

A brief educational work-based experience for high school or post-secondary students, or adults with a bona fide educational interest. This experience generally lasts from two hours to a maximum of three days and introduces the individual to a particular job or career by pairing the student with an employee or clinical faculty member. Students and or other individuals will follow/shadow the employee as he or she performs normal work activities. The individual may observe and ask questions but will not perform patient care duties. Areas within the Authority available for shadowing opportunities will be at the discretion of the Authority. Students must be at least 14 years old (16 years old in Operating Room areas).

To participate in the Job Shadowing program, the following requirements must be met:

  • Individuals are responsible for finding their own sponsor (i.e., health care professional) for shadowing.
  • Provide health documentation to include current TB (within three months of visit), immunization record, and flu vaccine if during flu season (October through May). 
  • Obtain and wear temporary ID badge at the collar level while in the hospital.
  • Wear professional business attire and act in a professional manner.
  • Do not provide patient care at any time.
  • Complete the application online.

Observation

Considered an extension of job shadowing, lasting anywhere from one day to a maximum of three months up to a year (eg. academic semester, academic year, or calendar year). This opportunity is offered to high school or post-secondary students or adult individuals with a bona fide educational interest. The individual may observe and ask questions but will not perform patient care duties. Areas within the Authority available for observation opportunities will be at the discretion of the Authority. Students must be at least 14 years old (16 years old in Operating Room areas).

To participate in the Observation program, the following requirements must be met:

  • Individuals are responsible for finding their own sponsor (i.e., health care professional) for observations.
  • Provide health documentation to include current TB (within three months of visit), immunization record, and flu vaccine if during flu season (October through May).
  • Provide criminal background check if observation is longer than 30 days.
  • Complete the training on the CareLearning website and provide proof of completion.
  • Obtain and wear temporary ID badge at the collar level while in the hospital.
  • Wear professional business attire and act in a professional manner.
  • Do not provide patient care at any time.
  • Complete the application online.

Mentoring

A relationship between a high school or post-secondary student, or adult with a bona fide educational interest and an Authority healthcare professional who guides the individual for a period greater than three months and up to a year (eg. academic semester, academic year, or calendar year). Human Resources may coordinate such programs in collaboration with the individual directly or through their school. Students are matched with an employee. Student/employee relationship is fostered through a variety of mechanisms such as one-on-one interaction, on-line communication and on-site facility tours. The individual may observe and ask questions but will not perform patient care duties. Students must be at least 14 years old (16 years old in Operating Room Areas).

To participate in the Mentoring program, the following requirements must be met:

  • Individuals are responsible for finding their own sponsor (i.e., health care professional) for observations.
  • Provide health documentation to include current TB (within three months of visit), immunization record, and flu vaccine if during flu season (October through May).
  • Provide criminal background check if observation is longer than 30 days.
  • Complete the training on the CareLearning website and provide proof of completion.
  • Obtain and wear temporary ID badge at the collar level while in the hospital..
  • Wear professional business attire and act in a professional manner.
  • Do not provide patient care at any time.
  • Complete the application online.

Clinical Sponsorship

A structured observation program to develop an interest in a healthcare related career. Participants must be sponsored by a faculty member or administrator. The individual may observe and ask questions but will not perform patient care duties.

To participate in the Clinical Sponsorship program, the following requirements must be met:

  • Individuals are responsible for finding their own sponsor (i.e., health care professional) for observations.
  • Provide health documentation to include current TB (within three months of visit), immunization record, and flu vaccine if during flu season (October through May).
  • Provide criminal background check if observation is longer than 30 days.
  • Complete the training on the CareLearning website and provide proof of completion.
  • Obtain and wear temporary ID badge at the collar level while in the hospital.
  • Wear professional business attire and act in a professional manner.
  • Do not provide patient care at any time.
  • Complete the applications online.

Visiting Practitioners

Individuals visiting the Authority for one of the following purposes: 1) educational experience or observation of the visitor, 2) education of Authority/MUSC personnel, 3) assistance with training of Authority/MUSC personnel in a procedure or technique, 4) consultation with or without patient contact.

To participate in the Visiting Practitioners program, the following requirements must be met:

  • Individuals are responsible for finding their own sponsor (i.e., health care professional) for observations.
  • Provide health documentation to include current TB (within three months of visit), immunization record, and flu vaccine if during flu season (October through May).
  • Provide copy of front and back of health insurance card.
  • Provide criminal background check if observation is longer than 30 days.
  • Complete the training on the CareLearning website and provide proof of completion.
  • Obtain and wear temporary ID badge at the collar level while in the hospital.
  • Individuals who plan to spend more than 30 days at MUSC may need to fill out the NetID section of the application.
  • Wear professional business attire and act in a professional manner.
  • Do not provide patient care at any time.
  • No other specific responsibilities. Such consultations should be considered as any other HIPAA compliant consultation with a non-MUSC faculty member obtained by phone or mail.
  • If providing verbal consultation, patients should be informed of the role of the Visiting Practitioner, but signed written consent is not necessary.
  • The practitioner may not prescribe, treat, operate on or in any other way manage the health care of the patient.
  • Complete the application online. 

Visiting Practitioners who will be prescribing, treating, operating on or in any other way managing the health care of the patient must meet the following requirements:

  • Apply for temporary privileges through the Medical Staff office. Contact Nora Brahney at 843-792-8954 or brahney@musc.edu. For a visiting practitioner with a current South Carolina medical license, allow at least two weeks for processing. For a visiting practitioner that will be applying for a 14-day temporary South Carolina medical license, allow at least one month for processing.
  • Hold a South Carolina medical license, or obtain a 14-day temporary license through the state Medical Board.
  • For procedures, informed written consent should be obtained by the host physician demonstrating that the patient is aware of the role of the visiting physician.
  • Obtain temporary ID badge and wear at all times while in the hospital. ID badge must be worn at collar level visible to all staff and patients.
  • Complete the application online.