12 Hospital Internships for High School Students in California
If you’re in high school looking for a way to explore healthcare, hospital internships can be a great place to start. These opportunities let you see what happens behind the scenes in medical settings, from patient care to research, while giving you a clearer sense of whether medicine might be the right path for you. Getting this kind of experience early can also help you connect what you’re learning in school to real-world applications in science and healthcare.
California is home to hospitals, research institutions, and medical centers, making it an exciting place for high school students interested in exploring healthcare careers. Hospital internships give you a chance to step inside these environments, shadow professionals, and gain exposure to medicine long before college. Along the way, you’ll develop skills like communication, problem-solving, and teamwork, all while building a resume that shows genuine commitment to the field.
In this guide, we’ve rounded up 12 hospital internships across California designed specifically for high school students. From fully funded summer programs to research fellowships, these opportunities provide mentorship, experience, and a head start for anyone considering a future in healthcare.
1. Los Angeles, CA (Children’s Hospital LA – Saban Research Institute)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective (~12 interns per year)
Location: Los Angeles, CA (Children’s Hospital LA – Saban Research Institute)
Stipend: Provided + free Metro card and meals
Program Dates: June 16 – August 1; 7 weeks (summer) plus yearlong mentoring beginning in May
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: Los Angeles County high school juniors (rising seniors) with STEM interests and underrepresented backgrounds. Aged ≥16 and authorized to work in the U.S.
LA-HIP is a yearlong enrichment program culminating in a 7-week summer research internship at CHLA’s labs. You can take college-level biology courses, get SAT prep and college counseling, and work on biomedical research projects under CHLA scientists. The program supports students from underrepresented backgrounds, providing a stipend, transit pass, and meals so that financial need isn’t a barrier. By completing lab work and academic prep before graduation, you’ll demonstrate that you can handle college-level science early on.
2. Cedars-Sinai High School Student Volunteers
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; a few dozen students selected each summer
Location: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Cost & Stipend: Free (unpaid volunteer program); $30 volunteer jacket cost
Program Dates: January 27 – April 13 (Winter/Spring Session, 10 weeks); June 16 – July 20 (Accelerated Summer Session, 5 weeks); October 6 – December 15 (Fall Session,10 weeks)
Application Deadline: December 5 (Winter/Spring Session); April 4 (Accelerated Summer Session); August 7 (Fall Session)
Eligibility: High school students 14–18 years old, committed to weekly shifts, must pass TB/health clearance; minimum 3.2 GPA
This volunteer internship places students in a hospital setting. You’ll shadow doctors, help with visitors, and assist staff at Cedars-Sinai’s busiest departments. Over the 6–8 week summer period, volunteers work a few hours per week alongside clinicians, gaining exposure to patient care and hospital operations. There is no fee to join, but acceptance is selective.
3. Palomar Health Pathmaker Internship Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive (several hundred accepted statewide)
Location: Palomar Medical Center (Poway) or Tri-City Medical Center (Oceanside)
Cost: Free (volunteer-based)
Program Dates: Year-round program; initial rotation March–May (96 service hours)
Application Deadline: Typically mid-October
Eligibility: High school students aged≥16 (min. junior year), minimum GPA ~3.0
Palomar Health’s Pathmaker Level I internship places high school students in a clinical hospital environment as part of direct patient support teams. You’ll shadow staff in departments such as Acute Care, Emergency, ICU, Rehabilitation, and Imaging. You’ll gain familiarity with hospital workflows by performing tasks like patient transport, meal delivery, specimen delivery, and administrative support under professional supervision. The internship includes a mandatory orientation and department-specific training, ensuring you meet competency-based learning objectives. It’s structured to expose you to multiple clinical settings and roles, promoting professional development and clarity on careers in allied health or nursing.
4. CAMP CHLA – Health Care Career Exploration
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive (~25–30 per session)
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Cost & Stipend: Free
Program Dates: June 16–20; July 28–Aug 1 (2 sessions, 1 week each)
Application Deadline: December 13 – January 10
Eligibility: Grades 9–11 in LA County schools
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles runs a free summer program called CAMP (Children’s Adventure to Medical Professions) CHLA. Over five days, local 9th–11th graders explore healthcare careers through workshops and hospital tours. You’ll perform healthcare-related skill labs, observe clinicians, and hear from medical professionals in pediatrics. The program emphasizes active learning and team activities, such as simulations and group projects. At the end of the week, you can present what you’ve learned.
5. John Muir Health – Young Healers Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Location: Concord/Pleasant Hill, CA (John Muir Health network)
Stipend: Paid (stipend + transportation)
Program Dates: 6 weeks during the Fall or Spring; dates vary each year.
Application Deadline: Rolling; Opens late August (Spring Session)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (GPA ≥2.5) from Contra Costa/SF East Bay districts
The Young Healers internship, offered by John Muir Health and JA NorCal, matches high schoolers with mentors at JMH hospitals. You’ll shadow doctors and staff, learn about careers, and develop workplace skills. You can engage in career exploration workshops and receive resume/career guidance. The program is designed to broaden access, focusing on diverse and underserved students in the area.
6. CHOC Medical Intelligence & Innovation Institute (Mi4) Summer Internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ≈20–25
Location: Orange, CA
Cost & Stipend: Free
Program Dates: June 16 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 1 – February 28
Eligibility: High school freshmen and above (interested in innovation/healthcare)
The CHOC Mi4 Internship immerses you in emerging pediatric healthcare technologies. Over approximately 8 weeks, interns explore fields like genomics, robotics, and artificial intelligence through projects. They solve healthcare problems, attend journal clubs, and participate in clinical demos (e.g. ultrasound, suturing). Mentorship comes from hospital executives and physicians, giving you a glimpse of hospital research and innovation. The program culminates in presentations on medical innovation. Although not a traditional clinical internship, Mi4’s emphasis on hospital-based innovation and leadership training is valuable.
7. Kaiser Permanente SYEP – Los Angeles Medical Center
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Location: Los Angeles, CA (Kaiser Permanente L.A. Medical Center and other SoCal sites)
Stipend: Paid internship ($15.50–$18.00/hour)
Program Dates: June 17 – August 7; 6 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: March 17
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ who are authorized to work in the U.S.; prioritizes rising juniors and seniors
Kaiser Permanente’s Summer Employment Program (SYEP) places interns in various hospital departments. You’ll work alongside healthcare professionals in areas like nursing, pharmacy, and labs, gaining experience in a health system. The internship includes weekly skills workshops and pays a competitive wage. You can also network with peers and mentors. Committing a minimum of 20 hrs/week, taking on healthcare duties, this is a great option for students near Kaiser’s Southern California sites.
8. City of Hope Arthur Riggs DMRI Summer Research Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~8–10 students (nationwide high school/undergrad)
Location: City of Hope National Medical Center (Duarte, CA)
Cost & Stipend: Free (participants receive a stipend)
Program Dates: June 16 – August 8 (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: April 4
Eligibility: Current high school juniors/seniors who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents, aged 16–21
City of Hope’s Arthur Riggs Diabetes & Metabolism Research Institute offers an 8-week summer research internship for high school students interested in diabetes and metabolism. You’ll work in research labs (bench work), attend lectures, and present a final project. The program provides mentorship by City of Hope scientists and includes enrichment workshops. Upon completion, you can receive a certificate and a modest stipend. The 2025 session will run from June 16–Aug 8, and you must meet academic and age criteria.
9. City of Hope – Eugene & Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive (≈20 students)
Location: City of Hope National Medical Center (Duarte, CA)
Stipend: $4,500
Program Dates: June 2 - August 8; 10 weeks
Application Deadline: March 12
Eligibility: High school students, aged 16+, who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents
This is a 10-week biomedical research academy at City of Hope. You will work full-time in research labs, selecting your own projects under physician-scientist mentors. You can attend weekly seminars on scientific ethics and presentation skills, and contribute to research findings. The program culminates in a research poster or talk; many participants even co-author papers. By treating students like scientists, the Roberts Academy offers a depth of research, making it a valuable hospital-related internship.
10. Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective (~24 students)
Location: Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA (residential program)
Cost & Stipend: Free (fully-funded; covers travel, housing, meals)
Program Dates: June 23 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 17
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors nationwide, with strong interest in medicine; priority to low-income and first-generation college students
SMYSP is a fully-funded summer program hosted at Stanford’s medical school. Over 4 weeks, you’ll take college-level science courses, conduct research projects, and receive college counseling. The program emphasizes equity, covering all expenses, so cost is no barrier. You can learn from Stanford medical students and faculty, attend seminars, and even present research. This residential medical program provides a science/medicine curriculum, designed for motivated low-income students.
11. Sharp Memorial Hospital High School Volunteer Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Sharp Memorial Hospital, San Diego
Cost & Stipend: Free; $25-$35 uniform fee; volunteer (no stipend)
Program Dates: Year-round (must commit ~100 hours over 8–12 months)
Application Deadline: Applications open May 5 (for 2026 grads)
Eligibility: High school students aged ≥15; GPA ≥3.25; commit to weekly 3–4 hr. shifts
Sharp Memorial Hospital offers a structured teen volunteer program, giving you exposure to hospital life. You’ll work alongside staff in clinical units, concierge desks, arts & healing programs, and nursing units, including tasks like patient escort, answering visitor queries, and assisting therapy teams. You’ll attend an orientation as well as ongoing training. The program includes access to wellness forums, career exploration events, and recognition programs. Though unpaid, you’ll gain insight into hospital operations and healthcare professions.
12. UCLA Health Volunteen Summer Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Los Angeles, CA (UCLA Medical Center, Ronald Reagan and Santa Monica campuses)
Stipend: Free (volunteer position; no stipend)
Program Dates: 6 weeks during June – August; 4–8 hours/week, anda minimum total 50-hour commitment required
Application Deadline: Opens January; Rolling
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors (age ≥16 by orientation)
The Volunteen Summer Program places students in various UCLA hospital departments for volunteering. Volunteers serve a minimum of 4 hours/week assisting with tasks like patient transport, wayfinding, and visitor support. While unpaid, it’s a no-cost entry to a hospital experience where you can get hospital badges and see daily clinical operations. You must attend an info session and orientation, and log at least 50 hours. Although not a clinical internship, this program offers career exploration in medicine or nursing, giving early exposure to the California healthcare system.
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Image Source - Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Website