Questions about your child's health? Call our free 24/7 Nurse Advice Line 844-GET-CHOC.
Free 24/7 Nurse Advice Line: 844-GET-CHOC.
Thank you for your interest in observing the care and services provided at Children’s Hospital of Orange County.
The Observer Program offers shadowing opportunities to those who are interested in becoming a physician or dentist. Students have the opportunity to shadow a physician or dentist as they care for and treat their patients.
Please review the information below to learn more about the CHOC Observer Program!
About The Program
- If you are interested in shadowing a physician or dentist at CHOC, you must connect with one prior to signing up.
- We accept requests to shadow a physician or dentist only. We do not accept requests to shadow other medical professions such as physician assistants, nurse practitioners, physical therapists, occupational therapists, nurses, speech language pathologists, and so forth.
- There are 5 observer slots open each month. Due to the high volume of observer requests, it may take several attempts to sign up.
- Sign ups open 1 month prior to the start date. Observerships are 1 month.
- Ex) Sign ups for July open on June 1st.
- Sign ups close once all slots are filled or after 3 weeks if not filled.
- You must complete the application process and receive written approval before you can begin shadowing.
- If you do not complete the application process by the 1st of the month you signed up for, your start date will be delayed, and you will have less than 1 month to shadow.
- Applicants must be at least 16 years of age at the time of signing up.
- Observers must be at least 18 years of age to shadow in the operating room (OR).
- No reapplications for those who have previously shadowed.
- No extensions.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligible
- High school students at least 16 years of age
- Undergraduate students
- Post-graduate students (non-medical)
- UCI 1st and 2nd year medical students
- There is a separate application process for UCI medical students. Please reach out to observer@choc.org.
Not Eligible
- Students under 16 years of age
- Residents, fellows, international medical graduates (IMGs), and practicing physicians
- Medical students not enrolled at UCI School of Medicine
- UCI 3rd and 4th year medical students
- Dental students
How Do I Apply?
Step 1
All applicants must connect with a physician or dentist, who has accepted their observer request and is on staff at an eligible CHOC location, prior to signing up for the observer program.
Step 2
All applicants must sign up to begin the application process to shadow at CHOC. Please click here to sign up.
Step 3
A link with the required forms will be sent to the applicant by email.
Step 4
All applicants will be required to complete a health clearance through the Associate Health office. Below are the health clearance requirements.
- Varicella/Chickenpox: Proof of 2 vaccines given at least 4 weeks apart and/or titer showing evidence of immunity.
- MMR: Proof of 2 vaccines given at least 4 weeks apart and/or titers showing evidence of immunity.
- Tdap: Proof of vaccination within the past 10 years.
- TB Skin Test: One TB skin test showing a negative result.
- PPD (skin test) – within the past year OR
- Quantiferon – within the past 60 days
- COVID-19: Proof of a primary series or an updated vaccine.
- If you have never been vaccinated for COVID-19, we require 1 dose of a current COVID-19 vaccine.
- Seasonal Flu: Proof of vaccination.
- Required between October through March or until the CDC announces flu vaccination is no longer required.
- Chest X-Ray: Results must be within the last twelve months.
- Required only with history of a positive PPD skin test.
Step 5
Applicants 18 years of age or older must complete and pass a background check. We will send the applicant a link to complete the background check once prior steps are completed.
Step 6
Application will be submitted for review.
Step 7
If approved, written approval will be sent to the applicant by email.
Step 8
Observer and sponsoring physician or dentist may begin to schedule shadowing.
CHOC Locations
Below are the locations we are currently accepting observer requests for. If a location is not listed, observers are not permitted to shadow at that location.
- CHOC Main Campus: 1201 W. La Veta Ave. Orange, CA 92868
- CHOC Primary Care Clinic: 3745 W. Chapman Ave. Suite 100 Orange, CA 92868
- CHOC Clinic, Santa Ana (at the Boys and Girls Club): 1000 W. Highland Ave Santa Ana, CA 92703
- CHOC Health Center, Garden Grove: 10602 Chapman Ave. Suite 100 Garden Grove, CA 92840
- CHOC Health Center, Centrum: 1120 W La Veta Ave. Suite 125 Orange, CA 92868
- Clinica CHOC Para Ninos: 406 S. Main St. Santa Ana, CA 92701
- Thompson Autism and Neurodevelopmental Center at CHOC: 170 S. Main St. Orange, CA 92868
Frequently Asked Questions
CHOC’s Observer Program does not offer shadowing opportunities in other medical professions. This program is intended for those interested in becoming physician or dentist only.
We are unable to connect applicants with a physician or dentist. We would suggest reaching out to a different physician or dentist you are interested in shadowing.
No. At this time, you may not apply to shadow more than 1 physician or dentist.
No. CHOC does not offer any academic credit.
If approved to shadow at CHOC, you will communicate directly with your sponsoring physician or dentist regarding the schedule as it will depend on their availability.
