Observers / job shadows

Observers/job shadows program update due to novel coronavirus

With education as part of our Children’s mission, we recognize the importance of student learning through clinical experiences. Each year, many students complete health care-related educational placements and observation opportunities at Children's Wisconsin as part of their degree programs.

At this time, we are pleased to resume professional job observations for individuals 18 and older enrolled in professional health care programs. Professional job observation requests should follow the process outlined below.

Job shadows for high school students interested in career exploration remain paused. Please explore the virtual resources offered through Center for Healthcare Careers (information below), and check this page for future updates.

Children’s is a partner with the Center for Healthcare Careers of SE WI. The website has resources like career pathway information and meet the health care professional videos.

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Job shadows are a way to observe the responsibilities of someone working in a field that interests you. Anyone looking to do a job shadow or observation is responsible for locating someone to shadow (this person is called a sponsor). Please review the steps below to learn more about the observer/job shadow process.

1. Locate a sponsor for your observation experience.

*Professional observers must be 18 years or older

The best way to locate a sponsor is to talk to someone you know that works at Children's Wisconsin. If you don't already know someone at CHW, try browsing our Program and Clinics to narrow down your search. Contact the specialty that most closely matches your area of interest to inquire if a job shadow opportunity would be available. You may contact the main hospital operator at (414) 266-2000 and ask to be transferred to the area or location of interest. Please keep in mind, job shadows and observations are at the discretion of the clinics themselves. Some areas do not accept job shadows except under special circumstances, such as the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Please note: There is no guarantee that an employee will be able and willing to sponsor a job shadow or observation experience.

Job shadows are set up on a case-by-case basis with the department you're visiting, but most experiences last for about 4 hours on a given day. You should discuss the observer/job shadow arrangement with your sponsor to figure out a time that works best for both of you. More information can be found in the Observer/Job Shadow Policy, which is the first four pages of the job shadow paperwork.

2. Fill out the observer paperwork. Download the form. View the COVID vaccine requirement addendum. Use this PowerPoint to complete page 11 for a Milwaukee campus job shadow. For all other experiences, please complete page 11 with your sponsor.

The following health documentation must be submitted with your paperwork.

a. Proof of immunity to Rubella, Rubeola, and Mumps, regardless of age.

• Documented history of two MMR's OR
• Documentation of positive Rubella, Rubeola, and Mumps titre

b. Proof of TB skin test done within the last 12 months with negative results.

• If TB skin test positive, documented report of a negative chest x ray must be on file. In addition, TB symptom survey must be on file and updated annually.

c. Proof of immunity to Varicella:

• Documented history of 2 Varicella vaccines OR
• Positive Varicella titre OR
• Documented history (from a healthcare provider) of chicken pox or shingles

d. Proof of influenza vaccination for the current influenza season for any observer was in a Children's facility for at least 1 day of their observational period between October 1 and March 31.

• Documented history of annual influenza vaccine

e. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination and booster doses at recommended intervals by documentation of receiving 2 doses in a 2-dose series (such as Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) OR receiving a single-dose vaccine (such as Johnson & Johnson).

• Documented in the form of a WIR (Wisconsin Immunization Registry) print out or a copy of vaccination card.

All observers must self-screen before arriving for shadowing/observation, and should follow the same infection prevention measures that are recommended for Children’s staff. Talk to your Sponsor for more details before the observation. 

3. Submit your paperwork to the correct department for processing.
Please see the chart below to determine what pages of the paperwork to fill out and who will process it.