15 Medical Assistant Internships for High School Students
If you are a high school student interested in medicine, gaining practical experience early on can significantly boost your academic and professional profile. One way to do so? Internships!
Internships help you build practical skills, strengthen your resume, and explore possible career paths. For students interested in the medical field, hands-on exposure can be especially valuable, offering a preview of what it’s like to work in hospitals, clinics, or research settings. Whether you’re drawn to patient care, medical technology, or healthcare administration, an internship can help you determine your interests and grow your confidence in a clinical environment.
Medical assistant internships for high school students are a great entry point into the healthcare world, combining administrative and clinical tasks under professional supervision. These programs often include mentorship, shadowing, and skill-building in areas like patient interaction, vital signs measurement, or data recording. Each one provides unique experiences designed to prepare you for future study or work in the medical field.
To help you find the most impactful opportunities, we’ve compiled a list of 15 excellent medical assistant internships for high school students that are open to applicants across the U.S.
15 Medical Assistant Internships for High School Students
1. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple 8-12 week cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines depending on cohort
Eligibility: High school students
Cost: Varies by program; Need-based financial aid available
Ladder Internships offers a remote internship experience where you’ll work directly with startups on real-world projects like market analysis, user research, or digital strategy. While not focused exclusively on clinical settings, some students have been matched with healthcare and healthtech startups, offering insights into the business and innovation side of medicine. You’ll receive mentorship from both your project manager and a Ladder Coach, ensuring guidance at every stage. Weekly workshops will help you build transferable skills such as communication, leadership, and time management. The program concludes with a final presentation, giving you a chance to showcase your contributions and reflect on your learning.
2. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research (SIMR) Program
Location: Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, California
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Less than 3%; ~50 students
Dates: June 10 – August 1
Application Deadline: December 19 – February 21
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (at least 16 years old); U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Stipend: $500 minimum; $1,500 for students from underrepresented groups
SIMR is a competitive, research-intensive internship where you’ll conduct full-time biomedical research under the mentorship of a Stanford graduate student or postdoctoral fellow. You’ll choose from eight fields, such as cancer biology, immunology, bioengineering, and stem cell research, and work hands-on in a lab setting throughout the eight-week program. In addition to your lab responsibilities, you’ll attend lectures and seminars on current medical research topics, helping you connect your work to real-world clinical applications. The program culminates in a research poster presentation, allowing you to showcase your findings to peers and faculty.
3. Scripps Research Translational Institute (SRTI) Student Research Internship Programs
Location: Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
Cohort Size: ~40 students across high school to graduate levels
Dates: Track I: June 2 – August 8 or June 16 – August 22; Track II: May 19 – July 28
Application Deadline: March 31 (Track I); January 26 (Track II)
Eligibility: High school students (16+)
Stipend: Track I – TBD; Track II – Stipend provided
This immersive internship at SRTI offers two tracks focused on translational science and precision medicine, giving high school students early exposure to clinical research. You’ll explore digital health, clinical genomics, and trial design while working closely with a dedicated research mentor. The curriculum includes lectures, data analysis training, and the chance to observe real-world clinical studies. The experience concludes with a peer-reviewed scientific presentation, offering a glimpse into professional medical research environments. This is a strong fit if you’re interested in the research side of medical assistant roles, including patient data and digital health technologies.
4. Summer Child Health Research Internship
Location: Anschutz Medical Campus (Children’s Hospital Colorado), Aurora, Colorado
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June 3 – August 2
Application Deadline: December – February
Eligibility: High school seniors (18+)
Stipend: $3,500 stipend
Hosted by the Department of Pediatrics and the Child Health Research Enterprise, this nine-week internship provides high school seniors with hands-on experience in child health research. You’ll be paired with a faculty mentor and contribute to a lab-based research project, gaining exposure to real-world scientific investigations. Weekly lectures cover key topics in pediatric research, and you’ll present your work through a written report and oral, poster, or PowerPoint presentation at the end of the program. Students are encouraged to submit abstracts to academic conferences, with travel costs covered if accepted.
5. Monell Science Apprenticeship Program (MSAP)
Location: Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: <10%; ~18-24 students selected
Dates: June 18 – August 16
Application Deadline: Usually, January or February
Eligibility: High school students from the greater Philadelphia area, including Camden, New Jersey
Stipend: Paid (amount not specified)
The Monell Science Apprenticeship Program is a competitive biomedical internship that introduces high school students to the research side of health and medicine. Over eight weeks, you’ll assist with hands-on research projects related to the chemical senses and their impact on human health. Working alongside expert mentors, you’ll gain practical lab experience and training in ethics, communication, and scientific writing. The program includes lectures, collaborative workshops, and public speaking sessions to help build your confidence in professional settings. At the end of the program, you'll present your findings at a formal conference open to researchers and family.
6. Stanford STaRS Internship Program
Location: Stanford, California
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June 17 – August 2
Application Deadline: November 30
Eligibility: High school students (16+)
Stipend: Unpaid
The Stanford Science, Technology, and Reconstructive Surgery (STaRS) Internship provides high school students with a unique opportunity to gain insight into the role of biotechnology in contemporary surgical practices. You’ll work with reconstructive surgeons and research teams on projects in areas like tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and medical device development. This program emphasizes hands-on learning and introduces you to biotech tools used in advanced clinical settings. You’ll observe real surgical innovations and explore how research translates into patient care, providing valuable exposure for students interested in healthcare.
7. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Ohio
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June – July (8 weeks, ~20 hours/week)
Application Deadline: November – February 1
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors residing in the Cincinnati metropolitan area
Stipend: $13 per hour
This internship offers graduating high school seniors direct exposure to pediatric healthcare by pairing them with mentors in fields such as pediatric surgery, infectious diseases, and molecular biology. Over eight weeks, you’ll assist with research or clinical projects, gaining experience in both patient care and medical data collection. You’ll also attend seminars, training sessions, and networking lunches designed to support your professional growth. You will participate in community service projects and wrap up the experience by presenting your work to mentors and peers. As one of the more hands-on medical assistant internships for high school students, this program emphasizes real-world learning in a clinical setting.
8. Magee-Womens Research Institute (MWRI) High School Summer Internship Program
Location: MWRI at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: <8%; ~130 applicants annually
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors who are at least 16 years old and reside in southwestern Pennsylvania
Stipend: $1,800 stipend is available for students eligible under the National School Lunch Program
During this 6-week, full-time program, you’ll complete an independent research project under the guidance of a faculty mentor from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine or affiliated departments. You’ll also attend weekly “Lunch & Learn” sessions where researchers share insights on careers in science and medicine. At the end of the program, you’ll present your research findings at a formal presentation day for faculty and peers. With past projects ranging from fertility preservation to maternal health equity, this program offers a strong foundation for students pursuing medical assistant internships for high school students with research interests.
9. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)
Location: Fred Hutch campus, Seattle, Washington
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Dates: June 23 – August 15
Application Deadline: March (tentative)
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors in the U.S. from backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical science
Stipend: Paid (exact amount not disclosed)
The SHIP program at Fred Hutch offers an immersive, eight-week biomedical internship for rising high school seniors, with a focus on equity and access in science. You’ll begin with two weeks of intensive lab skills and safety training, followed by six weeks of mentored research in a Fred Hutch lab group. As an intern, you will participate in seminars, professional development workshops, and team-building activities. At the end of the program, you’ll present your research to peers, scientists, and family members. While it does not include clinical shadowing, SHIP provides foundational research experience relevant to many medical assistant internships for high school students, especially those interested in cancer biology and translational medicine.
10. Seacole Scholars Program
Location: Brown University Health, Providence, Rhode Island
Cohort Size: Part of Brown University Health’s ~80-person summer youth cohort
Dates: 7-8 weeks from June to August
Application Deadline: Applications open in November
Eligibility: High school students ages 16-19 with a valid Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license
Stipend: Paid
The Seacole Scholars Program offers licensed high school CNAs the opportunity to gain paid clinical experience at Rhode Island Hospital during the summer. As a participant, you’ll work four days per week on nursing units and spend one day each week in workforce development training through Brown University Health. You’ll assist with patient care and build relationships with nurses, mentors, and fellow students. This program combines practical experience with professional development workshops, helping you refine both technical and soft skills. For students already certified and looking for medical assistant internships for high school students with direct clinical duties, Seacole Scholars is an ideal fit.
11. KP LAUNCH High School Internship Program
Location: Kaiser Permanente Medical Center
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application Deadline: Opens November 18
Eligibility: High school students aged 16–19 by June 1 who live in a Northern California Kaiser service area; priority given to juniors and seniors
Stipend: $23 – $24/hour
The KP LAUNCH internship program provides high school students in Northern California with hands-on experience in clinical settings as part of a structured, paid internship program focused on healthcare careers. While you won’t provide direct patient care, you’ll be placed in departments like nursing, patient services, or administration to support daily operations. The program includes weekly workshops on professional development and healthcare career pathways, as well as networking events with peers and mentors. You will be expected to work 40 hours per week and must provide your own transportation. This is an excellent option among medical assistant internships for high school students interested in healthcare operations and career exploration in a hospital environment.
12. Medical College of Wisconsin Apprenticeship in Medicine (AIM)
Location: Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Mid-June – Early August
Application Deadline: November 1 – March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors, seniors, or June graduates in the Milwaukee area (public, charter, private, or nearby suburban schools); Minimum 3.0 GPA in science and math; Must be at least 16 years old
Stipend: Paid (exact amount not disclosed)
The AIM program offers Milwaukee-area high school students immersive exposure to healthcare careers through clinical shadowing, mentorship, and medical education workshops. Over six weeks, you’ll participate in weekly simulations, observe healthcare professionals in clinical settings, and explore the social and biological aspects of major health issues. You’ll also be mentored by current medical students and complete a capstone project on a disease or condition of your choice, culminating in an oral presentation. AIM is an excellent opportunity for students seeking medical assistant internships for high school students with both clinical and academic components.
13. Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford (PIPS)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, California (in-person with possible remote work)
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application Deadline: Typically closes in early spring
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors living in the Bay Area; Students from all backgrounds welcome
Cost/Stipend: Free to attend; $3,000 stipend available for students with financial need
PIPS is a six-week research-focused internship for Bay Area high school students, designed to introduce participants to science, medicine, and healthcare careers through hands-on learning. You’ll conduct a research project alongside Stanford faculty, postdocs, and graduate students while learning the fundamentals of biomedical research. The program is designed for students with limited prior research experience, making it a strong entry point into academic medicine. In addition to research, you’ll gain exposure to current topics in pediatrics and work with peers in a collaborative, supportive environment.
14. CYCE High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Cleveland Clinic sites, Northeast Ohio
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Varies by program; summer cycle (June – August)
Application Deadline: Typically opens early in the year; refer to program website for updates
Eligibility: Grades 9-12; Must be at least 15 years old by June 1; Must live in eligible Northeast Ohio counties or cities (requirements vary by track); 2.5 GPA or higher preferred
Stipend: Paid (exact hourly rate not listed)
Cleveland Clinic’s CYCE High School Summer Internship Program offers students real-world exposure to healthcare through three focused tracks: Science, Advanced Technology, and the Louis Stokes Internship. In the Science track, you’ll explore clinical areas such as nursing, pharmacy, lab medicine, and respiratory care, often in patient-facing departments. You’ll work alongside professionals, attend structured workshops, and gain practical, hands-on experience in healthcare delivery through paid opportunities. The program’s mission is to expand access to healthcare careers for local students through mentorship and hands-on learning.
15. Medical Assistant Training Program
Location: Puget Sound Region and Inland Northwest (Spokane), Washington
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Cohorts begin in January, April, and July (4.5–5 months each)
Application Deadline: Rolling; applications open ~4 months before each cohort
Eligibility: Must be 18+ with a high school diploma or GED; CPR certification required within weeks of hire; 1 year of patient care experience preferred
Stipend: Paid training program; includes employment commitment post-certification
MultiCare’s Medical Assistant Training Program provides a paid path into healthcare for recent high school graduates and aspiring clinical professionals. Over 4.5–5 months, you’ll complete self-paced classroom learning, hands-on skills labs, and clinical rotations. Upon completion, you’ll be eligible to sit for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam and transition into a full-time position with MultiCare. This program is ideal for students who want to fast-track their entry into a medical assistant role in ambulatory care settings, with structured mentorship and long-term employment opportunities. A two-year work commitment is required after certification.
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