ABOUT OUR VOE PROGRAM
It is FLU SEASON (Oct 1 - March 31) and you must note on your application the date you received your flu vaccination. This is a requirement!! Please note, some areas may have COVID-19 restrictions and observations will not be permitted.
Observation opportunities are also now available at the Vanderbilt regional hospitals which include Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital, Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital, and Vanderbilt Bedford County Hospital.
The Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) Observational Experience program allows students and working professionals to learn about careers in health care. This program is strictly observational only, there is no hands-on activity permitted. No observations with physicians will be scheduled on the evenings, weekends or holidays.
Applicants may request one observational experience per calendar year, not to exceed eight (8) hours. Additional hours may be requested based on school program requirements, however, accommodations may not be feasible and are made on a case by case basis and only if a preceptor is confirmed in advance.
Observers are limited in some clinical areas for the safety of patients and the observers. No high school students are permitted in the Operating Rooms, Cath Labs, Emergency Departments, Pediatric Intensive Care Units, or the Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital.
Additional guidelines for the Children's Hospital.
The VOE program requires at least a one-step TB test that has been completed in the past, it doesn't have to be current. If you've never had a TB test, a one-step test is required.
STEPS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE VUMC OBSERVATIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Submit an initial online application. Applications must be received at least 30 days prior to your requested observation experience start date, unless an observation is pre-approved by a preceptor. NOTE: You will need to submit the application with a date 30 days out, however, in the 'goals/objectives' space put the date(s) that you are approved to shadow and this can be changed upon submission. Observation confirmations may take longer than the 30 days to confirm and in some cases it may not be feasible to fulfill the request for an observation. You will be notified via email if this is the situation. Documents required will include vaccination health summary form or a transcript of vaccinations on your physician's letterhead, a signed confidentiality agreement, certificate that you've completed/received 100% on the safety quiz, copy of your insurance card. If you are under the age of 18, a parental consent is required.
After your VOE application is processed and a VUMC vendor background check, which will cost approximately $36.25 and may include additional charges for each jurisdiction you've resided in, has been completed and cleared, you will receive an email with authorization and instructions for beginning your observation. You will receive this information at least one week prior to your observation start date.
Individuals participating in an observational experience will receive an information on how/when to pick up the VOE ID badge. This badge will have an expiration date on it.
If on the day of your observation you are ill (cold symptoms, fever, etc.), please email and/or call (if you've received a phone number) your preceptor and the VOE@vumc.org to let us know and also reschedule for a later date. If you come to the observation with cold/flu like symptoms, you will be sent away.
START YOUR VUMC OBSERVATIONAL EXPERIENCE
To begin your VUMC Observational Experience request, click on one of the following which best describes you to obtain specific information.
I am a:
- High School Student
- Nursing Student
- Medical Student
- Other Type of Student (college student/graduate student)
- Working Professional or other Non-Student
- Physician