15 Hospital Internships for High School Students in San Diego
For high school students in San Diego interested in healthcare, hospital internships provide practical opportunities to explore medical careers, including clinical observation, patient care, biomedical research, and public health projects. These programs give you the chance to work alongside professionals, develop real-world skills, and get clarity on your interests before college.
San Diego’s top hospitals, research centers, and nonprofit clinics host a variety of internships tailored specifically for high school students. Whether you're shadowing doctors, engaging in lab work, assisting with community health projects, or even handling administrative duties, each opportunity provides meaningful exposure to healthcare environments.
Below is a curated list of 15 hospital internships for high school students in San Diego!
15 Hospital Internships for High School Students in San Diego
1. Heithoff-Brody High School Scholars Program (Salk Institute)
Location: Salk Institute, La Jolla (San Diego)
Cost & Stipend: Free
Acceptance: Highly selective; typically ~40 interns nationwide
Dates: June 16 – August 8 (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: March 28
Eligibility: SD County graduating high school students, age ≥16 (completed 10th–12th grade), completed chemistry & biology, GPA ≥ 2.75
Students in the Salk High School Scholars program work one-on-one with Salk scientists on cutting-edge biology research, attending seminars and visiting biotech sites. Interns complete a team research project and present their findings in a final symposium. This rigorous internship immerses students in real lab work and mentorship, developing skills in molecular techniques, data analysis, and science communication. Salk’s program is extremely competitive and covers areas like neuroscience and genomics, making it one of the most prestigious hospital/biomedical internships for high school students in San Diego.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Online (mentors worldwide, including healthcare startups)
Cost & Stipend: Varies depending on program type (financial aid available); no stipend
Acceptance: Highly selective (small cohorts)
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students (generally grades 10–12) who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks
Ladder Internships is a virtual program that matches high schoolers with real startups in healthcare and other fields. Interns gain practical experience on live projects while receiving mentorship and professional training. For example, a student might assist a telehealth company or medical device startup in developing a prototype or marketing plan. Ladder’s program includes weekly group lessons on communication and leadership, so students learn both technical and soft skills. Participants conduct genuine work under a mentor’s guidance and present outcomes at the end of the session. This makes Ladder a valuable experience for San Diego teens interested in medical technology and entrepreneurship.
3. Palomar Health Pathmaker Internship Program
Location: Palomar Medical Center (Poway) or Tri-City Medical Center (Oceanside)
Cost & Stipend: Free (volunteer-based); no stipend
Dates: Year-round program; initial rotation March–May (96 service hours)
Application Deadline: Typically mid-October (e.g., October for Spring cohort)
Eligibility: High school students aged ≥16 (min. junior year), minimum GPA ~3.0
Palomar Pathmaker is a leading program in San Diego where students volunteer once a week in various hospital departments, such as pharmacy, physical therapy, or nursing. In this cohort-style internship, Pathmakers rotate through multiple units over 3–4 months, completing 96 hours of work under the guidance of professional mentors. The experience enhances practical skills such as taking vital signs, preparing supplies, or observing medical procedures. Students also participate in career workshops like CPR training and resume building, and they write reflective essays. The program is free and well-regarded, providing serious high-school students with public hospital experience without any tuition costs.
4. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! A few tracks require prerequisites, see here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research. Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects. While this isn’t a traditional internship, it follows the work/research + learn model very closely!
5. Rady Children’s Hospital – Summer Medical Academy
Location: Rady Children’s Hospital main campus, San Diego
Cost & Stipend: $3,000 tuition (financial aid available); no stipend
Dates: June 16 – June 27 (Session 1); July 7 – July 18 (Session 2)
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: High school students, grades 9–12, aged 15–19, who are San Diego County residents
Rady Children’s Summer Medical Academy (part of the Center for Healthier Communities) introduces students to healthcare through hands-on clinics, emergency simulations, and patient-care workshops. Over the course of each two-week session, interns explore medical and nursing roles, learn essential skills such as CPR, and visit various hospital units. Physicians and nurses mentor students during practical labs (for example, orthopedic casting or neonatal care). The program is intensive and enrichment-focused, with lectures and group projects that expose teens to the clinical environment.
6. Scripps Research Translational Institute – High School Internship Program
Location: Scripps Research Translational Institute, La Jolla (UCSD campus)
Cost & Stipend: Free (unpaid research internship)
Dates: June 2 – August 8 (Session 1); June 16 – August 22 (Session 2)
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: California high school students (grades 9–12) aged ≥16, especially residents of San Diego County
The Scripps Translational Institute High School Internship lets students participate in biomedical research projects alongside lab scientists. Interns assist with experiments and data analysis in fields like genetics or immunology. Weekly lectures and journal clubs provide context for their work, culminating in interns presenting their research. While not a traditional hospital internship, participants develop laboratory skills, such as pipetting and operating microscopes, while contributing to ongoing studies. Working in Scripps’ lab environment, students engage in a healthcare research internship that enhances their scientific knowledge and strengthens their resumes.
7. J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) – High School Internship
Location: JCVI (University of California, San Diego campus)
Cost & Stipend: Free; ~$17.5/hour stipend
Dates: May – August; 10-15 weeks (depending on project)
Application Deadline: Rolling (apply year-round)
Eligibility: High school students age ≥16 (juniors/seniors encouraged) interested in genomics, GPA ≥3.0
At JCVI, interns join genomics research teams, working on projects involving DNA sequencing, bioinformatics, or synthetic biology. Students may extract genetic material, analyze gene data using computers, or examine microbes under supervision. The program focuses on mentorship and hands-on responsibility, pairing interns with JCVI scientists who mentor their laboratory or computational tasks. Participants attend journal clubs and present posters. Although not conducted in a traditional hospital environment, this internship provides practical experience in biomedical research and genomics at a state-of-the-art institute, making it highly valuable for students interested in healthcare and medical science.
8. Kaiser Permanente KP LAUNCH Internship
Location: Various Kaiser Permanente facilities across Southern California (San Diego, LA, etc.)
Cost & Stipend: Free; $23 per hour stipend
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application Deadline: January 3 (tentative)
Eligibility: High school or GED students aged 16–19, GPA ≥2.5, who are permanent residents of a Northern California Kaiser Permanente designated service area
KP LAUNCH (Learning About Unlimited New Careers in Healthcare) is Kaiser’s summer career program introducing teens to healthcare IT, business, and clinical support roles. Interns collaborate on team projects with KP professionals, such as creating patient education materials or data analysis, and participate in workshops focused on medical careers. This paid opportunity combines technical skills with professional development, allowing students to engage with healthcare mentors while enhancing their teamwork and IT abilities. While not a hospital ward internship, KP LAUNCH is an important pipeline program for San Diego students interested in health industry careers. It’s free for participants (salary paid) and offers networking opportunities within an extensive healthcare system.
9. Sharp Memorial Hospital High School Volunteer Program
Location: Sharp Memorial Hospital, San Diego
Cost & Stipend: $25-$35 uniform fee; volunteer (no stipend)
Dates: Year-round (must commit ~100 hours over 8–12 months)
Application Deadline: Applications open May 5
Eligibility: High school students aged ≥15; GPA ≥3.25; commit to weekly 3–4 hour shifts
Sharp’s High School Volunteer Program lets interns serve in departments like nursing, pharmacy, or the information desk. Although unpaid, it functions as an internship: students apply, interview, and complete training just like hospital staff. Volunteers wear scrubs and perform supervised tasks such as greeting patients and restocking supplies. Sharp stresses the importance of a consistent weekly schedule and evaluations, creating a structured hospital environment. This program is well-known among San Diego students; it provides real clinical exposure in one of the city’s major hospitals while requiring a serious commitment.
10. Scripps Health High School Volunteer Program
Location: Scripps Health hospitals (Green, La Jolla, Mercy Encinitas, etc.)
Cost & Stipend: Free; No stipend
Dates: Year-round; volunteers must commit ≥3 months (3–4 hours/week)
Application Deadline: Varies by facility (applications open monthly)
Eligibility: Students age ≥15; commit 3–4 hours/week (min. 100 hours total)
The Scripps Health volunteer program accepts high school students as volunteers in both clinical and non-clinical roles. Volunteers assist with patient support tasks such as escorting visitors, engaging in arts and crafts with patients, or providing clerical help. They must undergo a background check and health screening, and wear a Scripps uniform top and badge. The program includes mandatory training on healthcare safety. This volunteer opportunity provides valuable hospital experience, allowing teens to join healthcare teams and become familiar with hospital routines. This program operates as a volunteer opportunity, but it also offers hands-on hospital exposure that closely mimics the experience of a traditional internship.
11. UC San Diego Health Volunteer Program
Location: UC San Diego Health facilities (Hillcrest, La Jolla, etc.)
Cost & Stipend: Free (volunteer)
Dates: Year-round; commitment ~4 hours/week for 6–8 months (≥100 hours)
Application Deadline: Rolling (first-come, first-served basis)
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+, who complete health safety requirements (TB test, vaccines)
UCSD Health’s volunteer program allows interns to serve at hospitals and clinics throughout San Diego. High school students can apply to become patient service specialists, where they might deliver meals, direct visitors, or stock supplies under supervision. Volunteers get exposure to clinical operations and patient interaction. UCSD requires a significant time commitment and has a formal application process (including interviews). These volunteers often shadow healthcare professionals informally as well. The program is free and offers a structured environment similar to an internship, allowing students to explore career options.
12. Sanford Burnham Prebys SPARK Program
Location: Sanford Burnham Prebys, La Jolla (Sorrento Valley)
Cost & Stipend: Fully paid (stipend funded by California Institute for Regenerative Medicine)
Dates: Six weeks (mid-June through late July)
Application Deadline: March 28
Eligibility: San Diego high school students (16+) in STEM (SD/Imperial County residents given priority), especially those from underserved communities
The SPARK (Summer Program to Accelerate Regenerative Knowledge) internship is a hands-on research experience in stem cell and regenerative medicine. Interns perform experiments like cell culturing and assays in the lab, guided by PhD scientists. The program emphasizes practical lab work, with students participating in scientific seminars and acquiring techniques employed in contemporary biomedical research. Funded by a CIRM grant, SPARK is fully funded and available to California teens regardless of their financial need. This offers an exceptional opportunity: a free, fully supported biomedical research internship at one of San Diego’s top institutions.
13. Palomar Health Tri-City Hospital High School Volunteer Program
Location: Tri-City Medical Center, Oceanside (North County SD)
Cost & Stipend: $10 application fee; $20 uniform fee; volunteer (no stipend)
Acceptance: Limited (new cohorts each spring)
Dates: Year-round; volunteers must complete ~6 hours per month for ~12 months
Application Deadline: February 11
Eligibility: High school students age 15–18 (rising 10th–12th grades)
Palomar Health’s Tri-City Hospital runs a youth volunteer program similar to an internship. Accepted students begin with an orientation and then serve as patient escorts, information desk aides, or gift shop attendants. Although unpaid, the program follows a fixed schedule and includes health screening requirements. It is one of the few hospital-related programs in North County San Diego for high school students, offering them an introduction to hospital operations, though it is more community-service oriented than academic.
14. Banfield Pet Hospital NextVet Internship
Location: Banfield Pet Hospital clinics (nationwide, including San Diego area)
Cost & Stipend: Paid (hourly wage as defined by position)
Dates: 10–12 weeks during the summer (dates vary by region)
Application Deadline: Rolling (check Banfield careers website)
Eligibility: High school and college students (16+); interest in veterinary medicine
NextVet is Banfield’s program for students interested in animal care. It is technically a veterinary internship (Banfield is a network of pet hospitals), but we include it as it’s a healthcare-related program. Interns work alongside veterinary professionals, assisting in animal care (grooming, feeding, and observation) and learning medical terminology. They also take part in virtual sessions on veterinary science. Although it is not human medicine, NextVet provides high-school students with practical hospital experience involving animals and opportunities for professional mentorship. It’s a paid internship, so students earn money while learning in a healthcare setting that focuses on patients (pets) and science.
15. VA San Diego Healthcare System – Student Volunteer Program
Location: VA San Diego Medical Center and associated clinics (La Jolla)
Cost & Stipend: Free (volunteer); includes benefits (free parking, TB testing)
Dates: June 8 – August 9
Application Deadline: May 31
Eligibility: Youth aged 14–17 in San Diego (must apply with parental consent)
The VA San Diego offers a summer volunteer program for high school students. Chosen teens dedicate their summer to support tasks like helping with patient transport or recreation therapy, all under staff supervision. The VA highlights opportunities to explore careers in medicine. Volunteers gain a taste of a federal hospital environment, earning community service hours and sometimes even a stipend, including lunch or parking benefits. This program is free to eligible students, and although it’s administered by the VA (military medical care), it can offer a valuable healthcare internship experience for local youth.
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