Find a future where you can put your passion for caring to work. Health sciences job shadow opportunities from Kirkwood offer a look into a huge variety of health occupations to help you make an informed decision.
Discover the wide variety of careers in the field of health sciences, such as: registered nurse, nurse practitioner, doctor, physician's assistant, medical and clinical laboratory technologist, dentist, dental hygienist, pharmacist, pharmacy technician, ambulance paramedic, audiologist, dietician, nutritionist, and physical therapist.
Explore the opportunities listed below, when you find the career exploration event you'd like to attend, write down its name so it is handy when you fill out your application.
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Career exploration days offer a great introduction to specific career fields and allow you to explore a broad scope of careers within that industry, all in one shadow experience. Career Exploration Days are a great option for initial exploration of a specific career or industry. On average, shadows are typically two to four hours in duration.
Explore the many exciting career opportunities available at our Adult Day Health Centers where we serve a variety of people age 18 and older! Our social workers assist with care plans, funding, and problem solving every day community needs. Nurses monitor medications, work with community physicians, and complete health assessments. Patient Care Assistants do many of the same tasks as a CNA such as safety awareness/fall prevention, bathing, activities, and meal assistance. Program and activity specialists and our habilitation staff engage our participants in programming, outings, special events, and individualized programming that helps them meet their goals. Our dining staff make sure we are following special diets and honor personal choice. We would love to have you join us and show you not only what it takes to do their work day to day, but how roles interact to meet the needs of our participants!
Here is your opportunity to learn everything you need to know about a variety of athletic careers! You will have the opportunity to visit with an athletic director, athletic trainer, and a couple of coaches. You will learn what the daily tasks are in their jobs along with the education required. You may also have the opportunity to observe a basketball practice to see some of these individuals in action! Held early December 2024.
Would you like to be involved in sports and athletics with high level athletes in a college atmosphere on a daily basis? If you love to compete and to be around competitive individuals striving to be the best version of themselves, then please join us at Mount Mercy University to explore career paths as an athletic trainer, athletic director, sports information director, and college coach.
Learn about a career in dentistry with the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. You will hear what the admissions process looks like as well as the various careers you can have if you’d like to work with patients and their teeth. Held January 2025.
Learn about a career in healthcare that is outside the four walls of a hospital. A career in EMS as an EMT or Paramedic is a rewarding profession. Receive an inside look at this potential profession from current ground and flight EMS providers. Along with getting hands-on experience with life-saving skills such as airway management, bleeding control, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR. Held Fall 2024 and Spring 2025.
The Cedar Rapids Fire Department is a dynamic and diverse organization that provides an outstanding opportunity for those interested in a public service career. If you’d like to learn about the skills and education it takes to be a firefighter/paramedic, then this is the event for you! Individuals in these careers will give you all the details regarding what they do, plus provide some training exercises to show you first-hand what it feels like to be in this career field. Cap of 25.
Time counts when a patient arrives at the Emergency Department! Through a mock scenario, find out how nurses, radiology techs, respiratory therapists, and physician assistants work together to provide care for an Emergency Department patient. You will learn from our providers about why our mock patient is having trouble breathing and how they will be cared for. A tour of the hospital will provide information on the wide range of services available to our community. Cap of 15.
Experience Medical School at the University of Iowa for a day! Learn physical exam skills, run through patient cases, take a tour of the medical school, and meet with current students for a Q and A on all things medical school and the medical school application process.
Learn about mental health careers from faculty, staff, and students at the Carver College of Medicine and University of Iowa Health Care! Learn the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist and learn what the day-to-day looks like for a therapist.
Interested in helping people live better lives? Through small group, round table discussions you will have the opportunity to hear and ask questions from individuals in a variety of career disciplines, including social work, counseling, psychology, and social services.
Learn about the profession of music therapy. You can attend a music therapy class, talk with music therapists who work in different clinical settings, take a tour of the beautiful Voxman School of Music, and observe a music therapy session in the on-campus clinic. Discover what it takes to be a music therapist! Held in the fall & spring. Cap of 10.
The Iowa City VA Health Care System provides Veterans with world-class health care and services. Please join us at the Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center in Iowa City to participate in a simulation-based nursing day that will highlight the “Art of Nursing.” You will observe the professional nurse completing daily tasks, procedures, and activities. You will also observe staff interactions, patient interactions, and witness a nurse responding to a simulated emergent medical condition. Hosted January 2025.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go to pharmacy school? You will learn about the admissions process for pharmacy school, take a tour of the brand new University of Iowa College of Pharmacy, talk to current UI pharmacy students about their experiences, and hear from current Pharmacists working in the field.
You will learn about the pharmacy industry from faculty/staff and professional experts (Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians) as well as students in the field. You will learn more about what a day looks like in pharmacy careers as well as the education, requirements, and opportunities of this profession. You will also experience a couple of hands-on activities during this job shadow.
Join Kim Passini, physical therapist at Team Iowa Physical Therapy, to learn all you need to know about this exciting and rewarding career! Kim will share information about what her job is like on a day-to-day basis, the skills it takes to do this job and the education needed. There will be time for questions and a game of Kahoot! Hosted October 2024.
Learn about a career as a physician assistant from students and faculty at the #2 PA program in the country! Take a tour of the PA school, learn how to splint with PA students, participate in a Q and A with current students, and learn about the program and career with our Director of Administrative and Student Services here at the University of Iowa! Cap of 35.
Learn about different careers in research science at the Carver College of Medicine Tour different labs, learn how to use lab equipment with hands-on activities, and learn about the research being done here at the University of Iowa. Meet with students, faculty and staff in research labs and participate in a Q and A session on how to pursue careers in research.
Individual/small group shadows allow for a deeper dive into specific careers, shadowing a professional(s) in that field. These small group shadows are perfect for those who are more confident in their career interests and have had some initial exposure to that career. Job shadows may be individualized or include a handful of students, depending on demand. Pick from the below list of careers and the associated career descriptions.
Assists patients with various activities in hospitals, nursing homes and other facilities under the direction of a nurse in charge. CNAs often help people under their care with day-to-day activities such as bathing, toileting, dressing, etc.
Assess, treat, and care for patients by manipulation of spine and musculoskeletal system. May provide spinal adjustment or address sacral or pelvic misalignment.
Assist dentist, set up equipment, prepare patient for treatment, and keep records.
Cleans teeth and examine oral areas, head, and neck for signs of oral disease. May educate patients on oral hygiene, take and develop x rays, or apply fluoride or sealants.
Examine, diagnose, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums. May treat diseases of nerve, pulp, and other dental tissues affecting oral hygiene and retention of teeth. May fit dental appliances or provide preventive care.
Plan and conduct food service or nutritional programs to assist in the promotion of health and control of disease. May supervise activities of a department providing quality food services, counsel individuals, or conduct nutritional research.
Plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations.
Perform therapeutic massages of soft tissues and joints. May assist in the assessment of range of motion and muscle strength, or propose client therapy plans.
Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by the physician.
Compile, process, and maintain medical records of hospital and clinic patients in a manner consistent with medical, administrative, ethical, legal, and regulatory requirements of the health care system. Process, maintain, compile, and report patient information for health requirements and standards in a manner consistent with the health care industry's numerical coding system.
Perform complex medical laboratory tests for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May train or supervise staff.
The clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.
Prepare, administer, and measure radioactive isotopes in therapeutic, diagnostic, and tracer studies using a variety of radioisotope equipment. Prepare stock solutions of radioactive materials and calculate doses to be administered by radiologists. Subject patients to radiation. Execute blood volume, red cell survival, and fat absorption studies following standard laboratory techniques.
Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required.
Assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that help build or restore vocational, homemaking, and daily living skills as well as general independence, to persons with disabilities or developmental delays.
Assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, direct activity programs, and document the progress of treatments. Generally requires formal training.
Diagnose, manage, and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system. Examine eyes and visual system, diagnose problems or impairments, prescribe corrective lenses, and provide treatment. May prescribe therapeutic drugs to treat specific eye conditions.
Examine, diagnose, and treat dental malocclusions and oral cavity anomalies. Design and fabricate appliances to realign teeth and jaws to produce and maintain normal function and to improve appearance.
Dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners and provide information to patients about medications and their use. May advise physicians and other health practitioners on the selection, dosage, interactions, and side effects of medications.
Prepare medications under the direction of a pharmacist. May measure, mix, count out, label, and record amounts and dosages of medications according to prescription orders.
Assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that improve mobility, relieve pain, increase strength, and improve or correct disabling conditions resulting from disease or injury.
Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. Generally requires formal training.
Take x rays and CAT scans or administer nonradioactive materials into patient's blood stream for diagnostic purposes. Includes technologists who specialize in other scanning modalities.
Assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. Assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians. Initiate and conduct therapeutic procedures, maintain patient records and select, assemble, check, and operate equipment.
Assess and treat persons with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. May select alternative communication systems and teach their use. May perform research related to speech and language.
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