15 Virtual Healthcare Internships for High School Students
Internships are one of the most effective ways for high school students to explore career interests while gaining experience. Unlike summer programs that can be expensive and highly selective, internships offer a more direct path to learning by doing—building practical skills, working with professionals, and expanding your network early on.
For students curious about a future in healthcare, internships can be especially valuable. They provide a first look into the medical field—from patient care to public health policy—while helping students figure out what areas excite them most. And with virtual options becoming more accessible, you no longer have to live near a hospital or research lab to gain meaningful experience.
Whether you're interested in medicine, health tech, or research, virtual internships can help you start building your foundation now. In this blog, we’ve rounded up 15 of the best virtual healthcare internships available for high school students today.
1. Ladder Internships – Healthcare & Medicine Track
Location: Virtual (hosted by Ladder Internships)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohorts typically include 20–30 students per cycle
Dates: 8–12 weeks; multiple cohorts throughout the year (Summer, Fall, Spring)
Application Deadline: Cohort deadlines vary
Eligibility: High school students (rising juniors, seniors); 5–15 hours/week commitment
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Ladder Internships is a competitive virtual program that connects motivated high school students with startups and nonprofits across the globe. Interns get matched with organizations based on their interests—ranging from digital health and biotech to sustainability, media, AI, and more. Those curious about healthcare can dive into projects involving health tech innovation, patient experience tools, or mental health platforms. You are supported by a dedicated startup mentor and a Ladder Coach, providing dual guidance. Alongside the internship, you receive personalized training in skills like communication, time management, and problem-solving, as well as access to group sessions with other interns.
2. Stanford University - Clinical Summer Internship
Location: Stanford School of Medicine (In-person & Virtual options)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited spots each session
Dates: July 28 – August 8
Application Deadline: Register begins November 1; final deadline in early spring (e.g., by March/April)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors (age 16+)
Cost: $4,380
The Stanford Clinical Summer Internship delivers a two-week experience for high school students interested in medicine, with a curriculum that blends clinical insight and practical exposure. You will explore various medical fields through interactive live sessions, guided skill-building activities, and collaborative case-based learning. The program emphasizes understanding of healthcare through simulation-based exercises and discussions led by Stanford physicians and educators. You also get to participate in small group workshops to practice clinical techniques and explore career pathways in medicine. You will get a certificate upon completion of the program.
3. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective (in-person track accepts around 8 students; virtual track is slightly larger)
Dates: 5-week session during summer
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors interested in neurology, neuroscience, or behavioral/brain health sciences
Cost/Stipend: $500 scholarship
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) is an eight-week research internship designed for high school juniors and seniors with an interest in neurology and neuroscience. Interns collaborate on mentored research projects under the guidance of Johns Hopkins faculty, staff, and medical students, gaining experience in lab-based neurological science. The program includes clinical rotations with neurologists, enriching your understanding of patient care and research practices. You will also attend scientific seminars, professional development workshops, and present your findings through oral or poster sessions.
4. Stanford University - Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; around 25 students accepted
Dates: June 16 – 27
Application Deadline: February 28 | Financial aid deadline: February 21
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9–12; must be 14+ and U.S. resident with strong math/programming background
Cost: $850 participation fee; financial aid available
The AIMI Summer Research Internship is a two-week virtual program designed to introduce high school students to the intersection of artificial intelligence and healthcare. You will attend interactive lectures on AI fundamentals, collaborate in small groups on research projects, and receive mentorship from Stanford student leads and faculty researchers. You will also refine skills in data analysis, programming, and research methodologies while engaging in discussions about the applications of AI in medicine. The program hosts virtual career panels and “Lunch & Learn” sessions with professionals from academia, industry, and public health sectors.
5. Stanford University’s SHTEM Summer Internships
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 60 students accepted
Dates: June 17 – August 9 | 8 weeks
Application Deadline: Typically in late February or early March
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors aged 14+
Stipend: Unpaid, but financial assistance available
SHTEM invites high school juniors and seniors to spend eight weeks working remotely on interdisciplinary research projects—bridging areas like healthcare, computer science, neuroscience, design, and communication. You will collaborate in small teams of 2–5 under mentorship from Stanford faculty and graduate students, contributing to innovative studies (e.g., VR scent experiences or AI-driven data analysis). The program offers structured responsibilities, weekly virtual check-ins, and culminates in group presentations and research journals shared with the broader Stanford community. You will sharpen your analytical skills, enhance technical abilities like programming and data visualization, and explore how STEM connects with human-centered research.
6. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) by George Mason University
Location: George Mason University, remote/hybrid options also available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; around 10% acceptance (292 accepted out of 2,821 applicants)
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: Typically closes in February first week
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors aged 15+ (“wet lab” internships require 16+)
Cost: $25 application fee (waivable)
George Mason University’s ASSIP provides a range of remote research internships where students collaborate directly with faculty mentors from both the university and its research partners. You will gain access to advanced tools and platforms to support your independent projects while sharpening your scientific writing and communication skills. The experience also offers insights into various career paths within science and medicine. Research topics span multiple disciplines, including molecular medicine, biochemistry, neuroscience, drug development, disease diagnostics, epidemiology, women’s health, and regenerative biology, among others.
7. Los Angeles Pediatric Society - Eve and Gene Black Summer Medical Career Program
Location: Hybrid—Virtual (live online sessions) and in‑person opportunities in Los Angeles County
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 100–180 accepted from 300–450 applications per session
Dates: Session 1: July 7 – 17 | Session II: July 21 - 31
Application Deadline: February 14–18 (submission timing varies by year; check current)
Eligibility: Current 11th or 12th graders (typically birthdate on or before early July cutoff), residing or attending school within Los Angeles and its adjacent counties
Cost/Stipend: None—fully free, with a $500 stipend
This internship program offers high school juniors and seniors exposure to medical mentorship, connecting them with pediatricians, surgeons, nurses, pharmacists, and allied health professionals. Through daily virtual sessions, you will learn about clinical roles and healthcare delivery via interactive discussions and Q&A with specialists. The program also provides optional in-person experiences at hospitals, where you can observe care environments (depending on availability and location). You will build communication skills, engage in discussions spanning pediatrics, infectious disease, radiology, and rehabilitation therapy, and earn a certificate of completion.
8. Medicine Encompassed (ME) Student Internships
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Ongoing year-round participation, including summer sessions
Application Deadline: Rolling applications accepted anytime
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12
Cost/Stipend: None—fully volunteer-based
Medicine Encompassed is a student-run nonprofit offering high school students the chance to explore medicine, biology, and STEAM through content creation and community-based initiatives. With more than 18 specialized committees, students work collaboratively on developing educational resources, supporting outreach programs like Project Cultivation, and engaging in committee-led efforts that promote accessible medical learning. Your roles include opportunities for writing, editing, and designing learning tools such as blogs, presentations, and study guides. You will research key medical topics, distill complex concepts into student-friendly formats, and help grow the organization’s open-access curriculum.
9. UT Southwestern Medical Center - High School Student Internship
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small, competitive cohort (exact numbers not disclosed)
Dates: Two-week session, typically early June
Application Deadline: Early to mid-March
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Cost/Stipend: None
This two-week internship introduces rising 10th–12th graders and incoming college students to diverse career paths in mental health, including psychiatry, social work, neuropsychology, and more. You will engage in online sessions led by clinician-scientists who share day-to-day experiences and career journeys. The program blends pre-session readings with discussions and virtual case conferences, providing insight into psychotherapy, behavioral assessment, neuroscience, and emergency psychiatry. Interns also have the chance to observe clinical team rounds via virtual site visits at Parkland Hospital and participate in group Q&As with professionals.
10. Internships at the American Psychological Association (APA)
Location: Virtual (with some in-person options at APA headquarters in Washington, D.C.)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive and highly selective
Dates: Year-round opportunities; specific duration varies by position
Application Deadline: Varies by role; typically on a rolling or position-based deadline
Eligibility: High school students (over 18 or with D.C. work permit if under 18), legal to work in the U.S., residing in states where APA is a registered employer
Stipend: Some internships are paid; others offer academic credit—stipend depends on department and position
The American Psychological Association’s (APA) Internal Internship Program (IIP) offers high school students an introduction to the world of psychology and professional work within a scientific organization. You will contribute to meaningful projects—ranging from research support and policy analysis to communications and operations—while collaborating closely with staff mentors. The program includes opportunities to attend educational presentations by APA leaders, participate in staff-led workshops, and engage in group discussions relevant to academia and public advocacy. Students gain transferable skills in research, writing, administrative coordination, and teamwork, building confidence and clarity about psychology career pathways.
11. Zon Lab - Camp Zon
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; exact numbers not disclosed
Dates: July 14 – 25
Application Deadline: April 27
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 of age, Massachusetts residents attending MA high schools
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Camp Zon offers a two-week paid research internship for high school students interested in biomedical science, with a focus on cancer biology and blood development using zebrafish models. You will work directly with researchers, designing hypotheses, collecting and analyzing data, and participating in laboratory experiments conducted by the team. The experience includes weekly interactive seminars led by lab scientists, coding training for data analysis, and sessions interpreting experimental results. Participants receive mentorship from postdocs and faculty and present their findings in a concluding lab meeting, mirroring professional research presentations.
12. Parkview Health - High School Student Internships
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not disclosed
Dates: One semester; 15 weeks (based on school calendar)
Application Deadline: Submit at least 60 days before the desired placement date
Eligibility: High school students (typically ages 14+), with school endorsement or affiliation agreements
Cost/Stipend: None
Parkview Health’s internship program offers high school students a valuable opportunity to explore healthcare in both clinical and non-clinical settings. You will be paired with professionals and complete assignments ranging from assisting clinical teams to supporting hospital operations. The internship focuses on developing practical skills in communication, patient care, and healthcare systems. The program includes structured mentorship from nurse or administrative mentors, experiences through either in-person rotations or remote projects, and insights into career paths via virtual shadowing sessions. Participants may visit hospital departments, join team meetings or care rounds, and present their learning to supervisors.
13. Veritas AI – Deep Dive: AI + Medicine
Location: Online
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; detailed cohort figures not disclosed, but the program reportedly receives over 4,300 applications and engages 1,000+ students across all Veritas programs
Dates: Ten weeks across the summer
Application Deadline: Regular admission deadline around May 25 (varies slightly each cycle)
Eligibility: Grades 8–12 with prior coding experience or completion of Veritas AI Scholars
Cost: Varies depending on program type; need-based aid and up to 100% scholarships available
This ten-week, fully virtual internship empowers high school students to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping medicine. You learn core AI methods—like data preparation, exploratory data analysis, and neural networks—through interactive lectures and guided code walkthroughs. Small mentor-led teams then apply these tools to medical challenges, building models for tasks such as image segmentation or disease prediction. Interns benefit from a high student-to-mentor ratio, receive personalized feedback, and have the opportunity to present their final projects in a closing showcase. The program bridges theoretical foundations with impactful health‑tech applications.
14. Internships at the Smithsonian National Zoo (Veterinary Medicine)
Location: Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute (Washington, D.C.) – offers virtual, in-person, and hybrid placements
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size varies depending on the role
Dates: Multiple terms throughout the year (including summer); internships typically run 8–15 weeks
Application Deadline: Varies by term; summer deadlines commonly in spring (e.g., March-May)
Eligibility: High school students and recent grads (typically aged 14–18); must complete the Smithsonian application
Stipend: Paid internships available; stipend amounts depend on specific placement
This internship offers high school students the chance to explore fields like veterinary medicine, conservation biology, animal behavior, and GIS One Health. You get projects such as conducting virtual wildlife research, analyzing zoo nutrition data, and supporting digital conservation outreach. You are mentored by experienced zoo staff and professionals, gaining insight into animal care, scientific communications, and behind-the-scenes operations. The program includes workshops, site visits (where feasible), and opportunities to present findings to zoo teams.
15. Nicklaus Children's Hospital Teen Academic Year Program
Location: Nicklaus Children's Hospital – Miami, FL (virtual, in-person, or hybrid options)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; partnership allows limited placements for M-DCPS juniors and seniors
Dates: August – May
Application Deadline: Unspecified
Eligibility: M‑DCPS high school juniors and seniors with a 2.5+ GPA and good attendance
Cost/Stipend: None – unpaid, but provides academic credit
This administrative healthcare-focused internship offers high school juniors and seniors from Miami-Dade County an opportunity to gain experience in healthcare administration throughout the school year. You will spend 5–10 hours weekly working alongside administrative staff, learning about project management, data analysis, and communication within a hospital environment. Interns benefit from individualized mentorship provided by professionals, with structured guidance including quarterly feedback. The program also offers flexibility with virtual, in-person, or hybrid formats, allowing students to fit the internship into their school schedules.