15 Medical Internships for High School Students in Ontario, Canada

Internships are one of the most valuable ways for high school students to prepare for their future careers. They not only help you enhance your resume and university applications but also provide opportunities to develop skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership. If you’re interested in medicine and healthcare, exploring internships early can give you clarity about potential career paths.

Ontario offers a wide range of medical internships for high school students, from research-focused programs at top hospitals and universities to volunteer opportunities that allow you to shadow professionals and observe patient care. Many of these opportunities are competitive, but each offers valuable exposure to the medical field.

Below is a curated list of 15 medical internships for high school students in Ontario, including hospital placements, research experiences, and virtual opportunities. Whether you are aiming to understand medical research, gain experience in a clinical environment, or develop empathy through patient interaction, these internships can serve as a valuable introduction to healthcare.

1. Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) Bursary Program 

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 15
Location: Various HHS hospital sites and research institutions in Hamilton, ON
Cost/Stipend: $1,500 bursary toward future studies, awarded upon successful completion of the program
Dates: June 30 - August 15
Application Deadline: March 23
Eligibility: Senior secondary school students (Grades 11 - 12)

The Secondary School Research Bursary Program of Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS), in partnership with McMaster University, is a 7-week summer internship for senior secondary students keen to explore the fields of research, medicine, and healthcare. You will learn basic skills and fundamental principles of research while working on projects, learn lab techniques, and shadow HHS clinician researchers, physicians, and surgeons. You will also develop skills in reading scientific literature and survey methodology, collecting data for critical care research, infectious diseases, neurological studies, population health, geriatric research, child studies, and more. You will develop networking relationships for post-secondary studies in medicine, healthcare, or life sciences.

2. Ladder Internship Program – Medical Track

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective, with an earlier cohort of 70
Location: Fully remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies according to program, with full need-based financial aid available
Dates: Vary, with multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies, depending on the cohort: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks | Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students

Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students keen to explore research in a field of interest. You will be matched with a high-growth start-up to work on a real-world project, such as health tech and mental health. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average, raising over a million dollars. Start-ups offering internships span a diverse range of industries, including tech/deep tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. You will work on assigned tasks and get the opportunity to work directly with the CEO. You will also work with a Ladder Coach to present your research and receive a letter of completion from the company. You can check the application form here.

3. Brampton Civic Hospital and Peel Memorial Centre Caring for the Future Program

Acceptance rate/cohort size: There is no information available
Location: Brampton Civic Hospital/Etobicoke General Hospital, ON
Cost/Stipend: There is no information available
Dates: Semester 1:  September - January | Semester 2:  February - June | Summer:  July - early August (5 weeks) 
Application Deadline: Semester 1: May 15 | Semester 2: November 11 | Summer: There is no information available
Eligibility: Grade 11 and 12 Peel Board students | Must be 15 years of age or older at the start of the program | Must plan to attend college or university and be seriously interested in exploring a career in the healthcare sector

The Caring for the Future Program is the Peel District School Board's Regional Health Care Co-operative Education Program, which offers opportunities for senior school students to explore a career in healthcare during an academic semester/summer and earn 2–4 credits (half-day and full-day co-op) toward the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. You will gain work experience in a hospital setting, including both clinical and non-clinical areas, and interact with healthcare professionals with limited supervised direct patient interaction. The two rotations in a semester will have placements at various units of the hospital, such as the pediatric clinic, diagnostic imaging, day surgery, elderly care, physiotherapy, oncology clinic, and more. You will attend seminars and lectures on a diverse range of medical topics such as infection control, healthcare practices, and more. On completion of the program, you might gain volunteer opportunities and a potential certification in First Aid/CPR.

4. Stevenson Memorial Hospital Student Volunteer Program

Acceptance rate/cohort size: There is no information available
Location: Stevenson Memorial Hospital, Alliston, ON
Cost/Stipend: There is no information available
Dates: Rolling, applications can be submitted at any time
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to high school students | Must be 15 years or older | Must be willing to work a minimum of one 3-hour shift/week and commit to one year | Must meet health/safety clearance (vaccination, TB test) requirements

This student volunteer program provides high school students in Ontario with an opportunity to participate in the day-to-day operations of a hospital. As a volunteer, you will take on the role of a member of the Stevenson Memorial Hospital (SMH) Auxiliary. You will begin your volunteer duties after completing the mandatory orientation and training sessions. You will get opportunities to take up responsibilities in clinical and non-clinical areas, such as rehab services, ambulatory care, surgical day care, diagnostic imaging, and more. You may also be assigned tasks related to fundraising and community events, providing assistance in the office or the gift shop, and other hospital support services. Upon completing the program, you will get potential opportunities for a leadership role, such as overseeing a team of volunteers.

5. Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre Student Volunteer Program

Acceptance rate/cohort size: There is no information available
Location: Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre, Barrie, ON
Cost/Stipend: There is no information available
Dates: Open year-round and in Summer (July 2 - August 31)
Application Deadline: Rolling for year-round roles | February 7 for the Summer cohort
Eligibility: High school students entering grade 9 or older when starting their volunteer role (for some roles, Grade 11 is the criterion) | Must commit for a minimum of six months

The Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre offers high school students opportunities to take up volunteer roles in non-clinical aspects. You will be assigned duties in various hospital units, such as conversing with elderly patients at their bedside, assisting visitors to navigate their way around the hospital, working in the gift shop or café, supporting administrative tasks, and more. You will enhance your professionalism, interpersonal skills, as well as empathy and compassion. RVH also offers a High School Co-operative Education partnership for students who wish to earn credit for their experience.

6. The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) Student Advancement Research (StAR) Program

Acceptance rate/cohort size: There is no information available
Location: The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON
Cost/Stipend: Paid (exact rates may vary)
Dates: 6 weeks in the Summer
Application Deadline: January 13
Eligibility: Indigenous, Black, or Filipino high school students | At least 16 years old | Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident with a valid Social Insurance Number card

The StAR (Student Advancement Research) program is a paid summer internship for high school students offering opportunities to work hands-on in a research lab. You will work on a research project in the field of pediatric health, such as stem cells, molecular medicine, genetics, translational medicine, and more, under the mentorship of researchers and medical professionals. This medical internship for high school students in Ontario will enhance your critical thinking skills and lab techniques. You will also get exposure to research and career experiences through the SickKids Kids Science program. Upon completion, you will present your findings in a research symposium.

7. The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) High School Co-op Program

Acceptance rate/cohort size: There is no information available
Location: The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON
Cost/Stipend: Onboarding-associated costs as applicable
Dates: Semester 1 (September - January) and Semester 2 (February - June)
Application Deadline: Varies, with applications typically accepted in May-June
Eligibility: High school students in Grades 11 and 12 enrolled in a co-operative education program at an Ontario high school and follow a semester schedule | Must be 16 years of age by the first day

The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) High School Co-op Program offers hands-on learning experiences in various departments at the hospital and research institute, matching students to available placements. You can be placed in a clinical or auxiliary unit based on your interest. You have the opportunity to work in administrative-related tasks in the office/out-patient clinic/in-patient unit, or take on patient-facing roles, which include interacting with patients and their families, or assist in clinical or lab-based research work. You can earn academic credit through this medical internship, with two credits for a half-day placement and four credits for a full-day one.

8. St. Joseph's Unity Health Toronto High School Co-op Learners Program

Acceptance rate/cohort size: There is no information available
Location: St. Joseph's Health Centre, Toronto, ON
Cost/Stipend: $30 refundable deposit for a uniform and photo ID badge + cost of mandatory health screening tests (stipend information not available)
Dates: Vary as per semester
Application Deadline: First semester - September 1 | Second semester - February 1
Eligibility: High school students in Grade 11 or 12 enrolled in their school’s co-op education program | Must be at least 16 years of age

High school students can gain practical experience in healthcare and rehab services through the co-op learners program at St. Joseph's Unity Health Toronto. You will be assigned tasks in various areas of the hospital, including clinical, administrative, and customer service areas, such as the eye clinic, outpatient pharmacy, paediatrics, emergency department, diagnostic imaging, gift shop, and others. As part of this medical internship for high school students in Ontario, you will also tour various hospital departments such as labs and rehab clinics, and attend educational sessions on the medical field, as well as workshops to enhance professional skills.

9. Women's College Hospital Summer Student Research Program (SSRP)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: There is no information available
Location: Women's College Hospital, Toronto, ON
Cost/Stipend: $17.20 CAD/hour
Dates: July 8 - August 16 (6 weeks, full-time)
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in Grade 11 or 12 and/or will be graduating in June who self-identify as Black, Indigenous, or racialized women, trans, two-spirit, non-binary, or a person with a disability | At least 16 years old by the program start date | Must have previously taken grade 11/12 Biology and Chemistry (check all requirements here)

This 6-week paid summer research program offers high school students opportunities to get hands-on experience in the ongoing research projects of Women’s College Hospital. You will work in collaboration with a team under the mentorship of academic researchers and research-engaged clinicians to implement a research project related to women's health, such as cancer, mental health, and more. Other assigned tasks include data entry, reading scientific literature to obtain information for research, and preparing materials for presentations and publications. You will also get opportunities to observe clinician-researchers in a clinic setting and/or during rounds, attend seminars, and participate in panel discussions and networking events. This medical internship for high school students in Ontario is a good opportunity to gain insight into careers in health sciences.

10. Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute-Sinai Health’s SciHigh Internship

Acceptance rate/cohort size: There is no information available (highly competitive)
Location: Mount Sinai Hospital or Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital, ON
Cost/Stipend: Paid positions
Dates: March 16 - 20 (March break internship) | June 29 - August 21 (Summer internship)
Application Deadline: March break: applications typically open in November | Summer: April 1–2
Eligibility: High school students in grades 11 and 12 who have completed (or are currently taking) grade 11 Biology and Chemistry | Must be 16 years old by the start of the internship

There are two Sci-High internship opportunities for high school students hosted by the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute (LTRI), one during the March break of the academic year, and the other in summer (Quinn Family Summer Internship Program). In this medical internship, you will work in an LTRI research lab under the mentorship of professional scientists and shadow research trainees. You will gain lab skills, science literacy, and critical thinking abilities. You will also participate in safety training sessions, lab meetings, and seminars. If you are considering pursuing post-secondary education and a career in the life sciences, this program offers insight into research fields that focus on human biology and medicine.

11. St. John Ambulance Toronto Region Medical First Responders Volunteer Program

Acceptance rate/cohort size: There is no information available
Location: Community events across Toronto, ON
Cost/Stipend: There is no information available
Dates: Vary, with volunteers typically recruited in January, April, July, and September
Application Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: Open to high school students | Must be at least 16 years of age or older (check other criteria here)

St. John Ambulance, Toronto Region, offers high school students an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in emergency medical situations as a volunteer Medical First Responder (MFR). You will be part of a professional team that provides basic and advanced care in emergencies, such as bruises, diabetic emergencies, and heat exhaustion at community events, including sports events, music concerts, and fairs. You will attend training sessions to learn and practice skills such as bandaging, splint placement, and CPR administration. You will also develop soft and professional skills through patient interaction and teamwork, as well as competency in procedural protocols, including scene management and documentation.

12. Sunnybrook Research Institute's Focused Ultrasound High School Summer Research Program

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 25
Location: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Cost/Stipend: There is no information available
Dates: Starts July 2 (tentative)
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Currently enrolled high school students in grade 11/12 | Must be age 16 by July 1 | Legally authorized to work in Canada (check all requirements here)

The Sunnybrook Focused Ultrasound High School Summer Research Program offers high school students a summer-based opportunity for interdisciplinary research in engineering, technology, and medicine. In the 8-week program, you will gain insight into how Focused Ultrasound (FUS) is applied in healthcare for diagnostic and non-invasive therapeutic methods. You will participate in supervisor-led training sessions in basic programming used in the research project you will work on, such as cancer, gene therapy, etc. You will gain professional skills, including how to communicate complex information effectively through presentations and in meetings. You will also attend seminars on relevant topics, such as clinical trials and laboratory management, as well as workshops on careers in medical research and device development, balancing work-life activities, and other related subjects.

13. Sunnybrook Hospital Student Educational Observership

Acceptance rate/cohort size: There is no information available
Location: Sunnybrook Hospital, Toronto, ON
Cost/Stipend: No fee for students
Dates: Rolling (maximum time allowed is 30 days)
Application Deadline: At least 30 days in advance of the start date of the Observership
Eligibility: High school students in Grades 9 - 12

High school students interested in gaining insight into the roles of medical professionals in direct and indirect patient care areas within a hospital setting may consider the student educational observership at Sunnybrook Hospital. With an approved supervisor, you can do a student educational observership in any clinical discipline, such as orthopedics, pediatrics, dentistry, critical care medicine, and more. You will be allowed to observe clinical interactions without direct patient engagement, and you cannot scrub in the operating room. You have the opportunity to participate in educational events, such as teaching rounds in a field of interest.

14. Sunnybrook Hospital Volunteer Opportunities

Acceptance rate/cohort size: There is no information available
Location:  Sunnybrook St. John’s Rehab Campus/Bayview Campus, North York, ON
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Rolling (minimum 6 months)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students | Must be 16 years of age or older | Must commit to a minimum of 6 months

Sunnybrook Hospital offers volunteer opportunities for high school students at the St. John’s Rehab Campus or the Bayview Campus (gift shop placement only). You will attend orientation and training, which includes e-learning modules as well as in-person sessions, before starting your volunteer stint. Assigned placements include supporting personnel at the inpatient unit and outpatient clinic, interacting with patients and visitors at the gift shop, assisting patients and their families in obtaining relevant information, and other tasks as applicable to the placement site. You will be assigned a specific placement area with additional opportunities offered after completing a minimum 6-month commitment. You will receive confirmation of your volunteer activity after fulfilling the program requirements, and a reference letter may also be issued.

15. Cambridge Memorial Hospital Volunteer Program

Acceptance rate/cohort size: There is no information available
Location: Cambridge Memorial Hospital, Cambridge, ON
Cost/Stipend: There is no information available
Dates: Rolling, as and when volunteer positions are available
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to high school students | Minimum age 16 years | Should be able to speak fluent English | Must commit to at least 6 months 

The Cambridge Memorial Hospital Volunteer Program provides high school students with opportunities to acquire new skills while working in a hospital setting to serve the community. After an initial orientation and training session specific to your placement area, you will be assigned responsibilities in patient-focused areas or the volunteer association office, or provide support in fundraising activities and the gift shop. As a volunteer in the patient-focused areas, you will provide encouragement and companionship to older patients, greet patients and make up bags in the Diagnostic Imaging department, provide comfort and refreshments to patients in the medical day clinic, etc. Office administrative volunteer work includes assisting with general office duties at the CMH Foundation Office or working at the information desk to give visitors directions and general information.

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