There is a tremendous demand for healthcare professionals in Alaska. Interior AHEC is working hard to help teaching institutions meet this demand by introducing the healthcare environment to young minds. The stepping stone from general studies to a focus on a healthcare profession often includes a Job Shadow session in a healthcare facility or a lecture by a Guest Speaker from a healthcare specialty that inspired a student to pursue medicine or nursing. Sometimes it only takes a physical experience in the healthcare environment to inspire a student to find their chosen profession. Interior AHEC's mission is to make this sort of experience possible for students in Interior Alaska.
JOB SHADOW PROGRAM
The idea of having young people watch an accomplished professional at work in order to teach directly and practically is a very ancient one. Artisans, scholars and professionals have had apprentices and have conducted practical education in this way for thousands of years. The Job Shadow program is not an apprenticeship, of course, nor is it an internship. A Job Shadow session is a hands-off observation that allows students in the healthcare environment to actually see healthcare professionals at work....an experience that few people or students actually have. Each job shadow experience lasts 4 hours and individuals can participate in up to three separate job shadows. Interested individuals must complete an application and submit it for reveiw. Questions about job shadows or the application process can be answered by contacting Christy Wiskeman, Education Specialist at (907) 458-6416 or by emailing Christina.Wiskeman@bannerhealth.com.
Job Shadow Application (link to download page)
