Visiting Student Affairs

Thank you for your interest in shadowing at Carilion. Please know that we're experiencing a high volume of applications currently and our timelines stated on this portion of our website may not directly reflect our true turnaround time on requests. We appreciate your patience as we try and manage a large number of applications with the intent to offer as many opportunities possible to our community.
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Observing healthcare professionals at Carilion

The goal of this shadowing program is to enable participants to learn about health careers while shadowing/observing within Carilion facilities. Hands-on patient care or treatment while shadowing/observing is NOT permitted for the participants of this shadowing program.

Under no circumstance can any individual shadow or observe in any Carilion facility without the written approval and confirmation of appointment from Carilion's Office of Visiting Student Affairs (VSA).

Eligibility

• Currently, applicants must be 16 years of age or older (although some areas require applicants be 18 years of age or older).
• Placement is NOT guaranteed as it depends on staff availability and limited capacity.
• Eligible applicants will be allowed to shadow up to 3 days within a 12-month period.
• VSA will use the information the applicant provides on the application to arrange placements. If a placement is scheduled based on the information provided but the applicant is unable to attend or is a no-show, VSA will not reschedule the appointment and the time will be counted toward the three days within the 12-month period.
• Due to concern for patient confidentiality and visitor safety, some departments do not provide shadow experiences.
• Tuberculosis (TB) screening: All shadowing applicants are required to provide TB screening information that has occurred within the prior 12 months as part of the application requirements on the Carilion Tuberculosis Screening Form ONLY. No other forms will be accepted.
• Those seeking shadowing time at Carilion must submit a full, completed Application for Observation, including all required documentation to VSA in either Word or PDF format. Avoid sending documents in SharePoint or other storage links due to Carilion's online security.
• Applicants must also read the Code of Excellence manual and print and sign page 29 as part of the Application for Observation packet.
• If the shadowing on Carilion premises occurs between Oct. 1 and March 31 of any year, applicants must also fill out and submit the Flu Shot Form as part of the application. If applicants would like to be considered for a flu vaccination exception, the Flu Shot Medical Exception Form or the Flu Shot Religious Exception Form must be included in the application packet.
• Applicants are not currently required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination records; however, a copy can be provided to VSA if available.

Current Carilion employees who are interested in shadowing are to contact Visiting Student Affairs directly at visitingstudentaffairs@carilionclinic.org.

How to apply

A shadowing application must include the following documents to be considered complete. Completed applications should be submitted to visitingstudentaffairs@carilionclinic.org (in Word or PDF format) in one document, not separately. Please do not send documents through SharePoint or other storage links, such as Google. All incomplete or not legible applications will be denied and returned to applicant. 

• Application For Observation
• Carilion Tuberculosis Screening Form (signed by your physician and/or school representative)
• Access and Confidentiality Agreement
• Observer Program Participation Agreement
• Observer Guidelines
• Carilion Code of Excellence Acknowledgement (page 29 ONLY of COE manual)
• Carilion Flu Vaccination Form (if applying to shadow between Oct. 1 – March 31)

Carilion considers flu season to be between Oct. 1 - March 30 each year. Currently, flu vaccinations are not mandatory for shadowers or clinical rotations. However, if the applicant is not vaccinated for the current flu season, they must wear a mask in all Carilion facilities. 

If a shadowing application is approved by VSA, the applicant will receive a written confirmation through the email address provided on the application with further instructions. Shadowers approved through VSA are required to wear an observer badge while in Carilion facilities.

Dates and deadlines 

Complete the Carilion Tuberculosis Screening Form first, as it requires a signature from the applicant’s physician and/or school representative. A TB questionnaire is not an acceptable TB test.

The full, completed application must be submitted electronically in Word or PDF format to Carilion’s Office of Visiting Student Affairs at visitingstudentaffairs@carilionclinic.org for consideration by the following applicable deadline:

• At least 1 week in advance of the dates requested: A current Carilion employee has agreed to let you shadow them, complete the Pre-Arranged section on the Application for Observation.
• At least 3 weeks in advance of dates requested: For all other shadowing requests, complete the Requested Profession section on the Application for Observation.

Appropriate dress

Business casual attire and comfortable, closed-toe shoes are required. That means that you, your hair and your clothes must be clean and neat. You may not wear jeans, shorts, leggings, sweats, capri pants or t-shirts. You may not wear white lab coats, perfumes or heavy jewelry.  

All application questions and clarifications should be directed to Carilion’s Office of Visiting Student Affairs at visitingstudentaffairs@carilionclinic.org.  

*The application period for Spring 2026 (which runs January - April) is now CLOSED due to volume of requests received. 

Gain experience through internships at Carilion

Internship opportunities allow individuals to gain hands-on work experience and knowledge of a career field. Opportunities are available to current students and should be based on your career interest or program of study. Past internship opportunities have included human resources, marketing, information technology, interior design, finance and accounting. Opportunities may be paid or unpaid.

Clinical internships are not available. Nursing students seeking internships should consider the Nursing Externship Program. Please contact Hayley Ohl in Human Resources at hcfield@carilionclinic.org for more information.

Requirements

• Must be a current student in an undergraduate or graduate program of study.
• Students may participate during school semesters or breaks.
• Academic credit is awarded only if approved by the student's institution.
• Students who accept unpaid internships must be receiving school credit for the experience.
• Students must submit a completed intern application and resume to be considered.
• Applicants must also read the Code of Excellence manual and print and sign page 29 as part of the Application for Observation packet.
• Carilion considers flu season to be between Oct. 1 - March 30 each year.  Currently, flu vaccinations are not mandatory for shadowers or clinical rotations. However, if the applicant is not vaccinated for the current flu season, they must wear a mask in all Carilion facilities. 

Applications will be accepted during the following times:

Spring Semester (runs January-April): Apply 10/1-11/15 (notified in mid-December)
Summer Semester (runs May-July): Apply 2/1-3/15 (notified in mid-April)
Fall Semester (runs August-December): Apply 5/1-6/15 (notified in mid-July)

Mail completed application and resume to:

Visiting Student Affairs
P.O. Box 13367
Roanoke, VA 24033-3367

Applications may also be faxed to 540-983-1189. Incomplete applications and those received outside of the above deadlines will not be considered.

Questions about internships? Email visitingstudentaffairs@carilionclinic.org.

OFFERING SPRING 2026 INTERNSHIP

Carilion Children's offers a Child Life Internship program to act as the final step in the development and training of a certified child life specialist. Our program provides students with an opportunity to work with children and adolescents in multiple healthcare settings. This experience follows the ACLP recommendations combining hands-on experiences with assignments, reflection and other duties to guide your learning and growth. The internship will be offered with a start date in the fall semester.

Program information

Carilion Children’s offers a 600-hour Child Life Internship starting in the fall semester for individuals who are pursuing certification as a child life specialist. In accordance with the ACLP’s internship guidelines, students will participate in a variety of learning activities and can expect to gain knowledge and experience observing and participating with certified child life specialists in both outpatient and inpatient settings.

Expectations

• Students will adhere to Carilion’s Code of Excellence, policies and procedures
• Students who are not affiliated with a college or university will need to obtain personal liability insurance upon acceptance into the Carilion Child Life Internship program
• Students will complete the Child Life Internship curriculum, including a variety of assignments
• Students will be available for Child Life Internship during standard business hours
• Student will commit to a minimum of 20 hours a week and maximum of 40 hours a week resulting in 600 total hours

Prerequisites

• Completion of child life coursework in the 6 applied areas of study, as required by the ACLP and evidenced in the ACLP Eligibility Assessment
• Major GPA of 3.0 or above
• Volunteer or work experience with children enduring hospitalization, crisis and/or stress
• Completion of a child life practicum is strongly encouraged but not required

Application information

• Application deadline: September 5, 2025
  • Applicants selected for further review will be contacted to set up an interview
  • Receipt of an application does not guarantee an interview
  • Candidates who are not invited to interview will be notified
• Initial offer date: October 16, 2025
• Acceptance date: October 17, 2025
• Start month: January 2026 

How to apply

Please email all application components to VSA at visitingstudentaffairs@carilionclinic.org no later than the deadlines listed above.

• For relevant degree program applicants, school affiliation is not required, but preferred. If you've completed your relevant degree program and are no longer affiliated with a school, please ignore section II of the Clinical Rotation Application. If you're still enrolled in a relevant degree program, section II must be signed by your school, only saying that you are a current student in good standing and eligible to apply for a clinical rotation for school credit.
• Child Life Internship Application
  • A copy of the Internship Readiness Common Application including:
    • Candidate demographic and degree information
    • Relevant experiences
    • Demonstration of knowledge, skills and abilities with written responses
    • A copy of the unofficial transcripts from all institutions
    • A copy of the ACLP Internship Eligibility Assessment
  • Verification of volunteering or working with children experiencing hospitalization, crisis and/or stress. Hours may be in person or virtual. Please inquire about COVID-related exceptions.

 All music therapy internship positions for 2025 are filled. We're taking applications for June of 2026.

Carilion Clinic Hospice offers a music therapy internship program as the final educational step before a music therapy student takes the board certification exam. Our 6-month program provides students with the opportunity to work directly with hospice patients, their family members and loved ones in a variety of settings including private homes, residential facilities and the hospital.

Guided by the music therapy internship supervisor, the student can expect to work 36 - 40 hours per week. This experience follows American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) requirements and combines hands-on experience with assignments, reflections and collaboration with other members of the interdisciplinary team. The internship is offered twice a year, with a start date in January and June. 

Program information

Carilion Clinic Hospice's music therapy internship is for students who have completed coursework in pursuit of a degree in music therapy. This internship meets the requirements set by the Certification Board of Music Therapists (CBMT) as a clinical training program for students engaged in music therapy degree programs. Carilion Clinic Hospice is recognized by the AMTA as a national roster internship site. 

Expectations

• Provide music therapy services to hospice patients and community-based groups, including assessment, goal writing, treatment planning and documentation as approved by the internship director.
• Consistently deliver the best in customer service and patient care, demonstrating respect, dignity, kindness and empathy as a team member in each encounter with patients, families, visitors and other employees.
• Champion Carilion’s mission, vision and values; comply with organizational policies, procedures, ethical standards and code of conduct.
• Record and report changes in patients' physical conditions, behavior or appearance to the registered nurse, clinical leader or manager. 

Prerequisites

• At minimum, have completed all coursework, except for the internship, in an accredited college or university music therapy program.
• Demonstrate competence with guitar, piano, percussion and voice.
• Demonstrate understanding of the music therapy treatment process.
• Ideally, have experience with multiple populations.
• Have valid driver’s license, automobile insurance and personal vehicle for making home visits.
• Obtain and maintain American Heart Association Basic Life Support (AHA-BLS) training.
• Have a clear criminal record check as documented and required through your academic institution’s contract.
• Submit to drug screening.
• Be clear from barrier crimes.

Application information 

Application deadlines: All music therapy internship positions for 2025 are filled. We're taking applications for June of 2026.

• Applicants selected for further review will be contacted to set up an interview.
• Receipt of an application does not guarantee an interview.
• Candidates who are not invited to interview will be notified. 

Please review the job description and fact sheet before applying to ensure you meet the criteria to apply and are able to perform the job duties.

Email a completed Hospice Music Therapy Internship Application to Visiting Student Affairs at visitingstudentaffairs@carilionclinic.org no later than the deadlines listed above.

We are proud to offer the following opportunities to visiting medical students and residents: