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If you dream of becoming a health care professional or are interested in learning more about career opportunities in health care, Lehigh Valley Health Network’s (LVHN) Health Care Futures Program is for you. A select number of high school seniors who are interested in a health care career will be chosen for the program in 2024.

If you’re selected, you’ll become a Student Champion. Over six amazing weeks, you will learn what it’s like to be a health care professional at LVHN. You will rotate through departments at an LVHN hospital, learn from mentors and health care professionals firsthand, participate in activities and gain insight into a career in health care.

Your experience will include: 

Comprehensive exposure – You will rotate through three foundational roles within the hospital, gaining exposure to the daily responsibilities, challenges and achievements of health care professionals.

Mentorship – You will have the opportunity to receive one-on-one mentorship from department leaders during your initial week at each new department. These experienced leaders will guide and support you throughout your journey within the department. The leader will be your partner, provide insight, answer questions and help you build the skills necessary for success.

Networking – You will connect with professionals across various departments, building valuable relationships and gaining a deeper understanding of hospital operations.

Career advancement – Our goal is to give you the skills, experience and knowledge you need to pursue a career at LVHN. By the end of the program, you will have the opportunity to apply for positions within LVHN.

After completing the program, you will have the opportunity to apply for a foundational role at LVHN. You also will participate in post-shadowing reflection and complete an exit survey to evaluate the program.   

Eligible students are referred to the program through their high school guidance counselor or other designated high school personnel. Participants will begin the program upon successful completion of the applications and onboarding process. The LVHN Health Care Futures program coordinator will provide the official start and end dates for each fiscal year.

Allentown School District partners

  • Building 21 Allentown
  • Louis E. Dieruff High School
  • William Allen High School

Charter School partners

  • Executive Education Academy Charter School
  • Roberto Clemente Charter School
  • Lincoln Leadership Academy Charter School

  1. Health Care Futures application must be received by Nov. 30, 2023. 
  2. LVHN volunteer application 2.0 must be received by Dec. 8, 2023.
  3. Student interview occurs. 
  4. LVHN volunteer application 2.1 must be received by the end of February 2024.

To be eligible for LVHN’s Health Care Futures Program, you must:

  • Have a minimum GPA of 2.0
  • Not have a record of being chronically absent (no more than 18 days or a 10 percent absence rate per year, and/or two or more unexcused absences per month)

If you are accepted into the program, only one excused absence is permitted over the six-week period. Two unexcused absences will result in program termination.

First Rotation

  • Week one – Report to your first hospital department to meet and shadow your first mentor (two days, four hours total). The department leader will welcome you, review your schedule and expectations (uniform, attendance and check-in QR code), and answer your questions.
  • Week two – You’ll be assigned to shadow an LVHN colleague in a foundational role (two days, four hours total)

Second Rotation

  • Week three – Report to your second hospital department to meet and shadow your mentor (two days, four hours total).
  • Week four – You’ll be assigned to shadow another LVHN colleague in a foundational role (two days, four hours total).

Third Rotation

  • Week five – Report to your third hospital department to meet and shadow your mentor (two days, four hours total).
  • Week six – You’ll be assigned to shadow another LVHN colleague in a foundational role (two days, four hours total).  

  • You will review the onboarding packet on day one, including your welcome letter, schedule and process to check in and out.
  • Your school district will provide transportation to and from Lehigh Valley Health Network. Please consult with your guidance counselor to confirm transportation.
  • Medical scrubs will be provided at no cost. You will pick up your uniform on day one.
  • You must check in and check out with an on-site QR code using your cellphone. 
  • Attending the program for six weeks, for a total of 24 hours, will ensure you have the best experience. One excused absence is permitted. You will be terminated from the program after two unexcused absences.
  • You must follow all LVHN policies and regulations as reviewed during the onboarding process.

The LVHN Health Care Futures Program was created to give students a full perspective of the medical and health care field. As a future health care professional, you’ll gain basic medical knowledge and the essential skills you’ll need for a successful career in health care, including:

  • General medical knowledge – Understand basic medical terminology and gain insight into various clinical and nonclinical roles.
  • Observational skills – Understand clinical and nonclinical procedures related to patient care or general departmental processes.
  • Professional communication – Practice and improve communication skills with health care professionals through active listening and by asking relevant questions.
  • Ethical principles – Learn medical ethics and patient confidentiality and recognize the importance of privacy and respect for patients’ rights.
  • Teamwork and collaboration – Observe and learn how to work effectively within a health care team and understand the importance of effective communication and coordination.
  • Time management – Develop skills to manage time efficiently in a demanding environment and observe how peers prioritize tasks and responsibilities based on the identified needs.
  • Adaptability – Learn how professionals adapt to changes and how health care professionals manage unexpected situations while remaining composed.
  • Empathy and compassion – Witness the emotional aspect of health care through empathy between colleagues, patients and families. Demonstrate compassion to others during challenging situations.
  • Problem solving and critical thinking – Learn to analyze complex scenarios and propose solutions.
  • Professionalism – Demonstrate professionalism in appearance, behavior, demeanor, punctuality, accountability and dedication.
  • Self-reflection and goal setting – Reflect on the career exposure experience, identify areas for personal growth and establish goals for a future career in health care.

For more information about the program, email HealthCareFutures@lvhn.org.