Student Placement Services - Bedford

Clinical Students & Instructors

Clinical students are defined as a college or university student enrolled in an approved class program and supervised by a program clinical instructor or preceptor.

Students

If you are approved to do your clinical rotations at IU Health Bedford Hospital or Southern Indiana Physicians, you will need to learn information about our organization, potentially hazardous situations and emergency responses, patient care and privacy issues, and other hospital policies. To learn more, please refer to the Clinical Student Frequently Asked Questions below.

Before you can begin your program with us, we need to make sure that you are aware of several important safety issues, hospital policies, and legal requirements. Likewise, we will need some basic information about you. Listed below are documents you will need to review and the forms that you will need to print, fill out and submit to your program instructor before starting your clinical rotations.

1. Complete the Clinical Student Application (PDF).
2. Read the Mandatory In-Service for Non-Hospital Personnel Document (PDF) answering the quiz questions included in the application.
3. Submit completed and signed packet to your clinical instructor.

NOTE: All Advanced Practice Provider and Physician Assistant clinical applications will be managed by the Office of Clinical Education in Indianapolis. Please submit your request by calling the Office of Clinical Education at 317.962.5048 or by emailing your request to OCE@iuhealth.org.

Instructors

1. Please encourage your clinical students to return the required documents to you as soon as possible.
2. See timeline below for clinical rotation request dates and application due dates. Submissions outside of the dates listed will be evaluated on a case by case basis.
   
   1. Spring Clinical Rotation
      1. Timeline: January-May
      2. Clinical Student Rotation Request Due Date: First week of December
      3. Student Application Due Date: Last week of December
   2. Summer Clinical Rotation
      
      1. Timeline: June-August
         
      2. Clinical Student Rotation Request Due Date: First week of May
      3. Student Application Due Date: Last week of May
   3. Fall Clinical Rotation
      1. Timeline: August-December
      2. Clinical Student Rotation Request Due Date: First week of July
      3. Student Application Due Date: Last week of July
3. IU Health Bedford Hospital does not accept clinical student applications from a student. All documents must be submitted to the Education Department by a clinical instructor, advisor, dean, program chair, etc. from the requesting school.
4. Submit completed application, health screening question, proof of required immunizations, current background check, current drug screen, in-service quiz, and agreement and acknowledgement form to IU Health Bedford’s Student Placement Coordinator at bdfstudentplacement@iuhealth.org with the email title “CLINICAL STUDENT PLACEMENT”.
5. Failure to complete all of the required documents above will result in a denial of the shadow/observation request.

Internship

If you are a college student and you are looking for an internship placement, please send your contact information, a current resume, and your internship request to the IU Health Bedford Student Placement Coordinator at bdfstudentplacement@iuhealth.org for further review and placement.

IU Health Bedford Hospital offers several non-paid internship positions. You will be contacted shortly with further instructions regarding your internship request.

Shadowing

IU Health Bedford offers shadowing opportunities to students and individuals who are at least 16 years of age who wish to fulfill educational requirements or to explore healthcare careers.

Please see the application for areas that are currently accepting shadowers. We concentrate on serving those individuals who live or go to school in our 10 county service area: Brown, Daviess, Greene, Jackson, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Orange, Owen and Washington counties.

Shadowing is an observation-only experience for a period of up to 24 hours. Please see the Frequently Asked Questions below.

Application Process

Step One

• Complete the Shadower/Observer Application (PDF).
• Read the Mandatory In-Service for Non-Hospital Personnel Document (PDF) before answering the quiz questions included in the application.
• Submit completed application, health screening question, proof of required immunizations, in-service quiz, and agreement and acknowledgement form to IU Health Bedford’s Student Placement Coordinator at bdfstudentplacement@iuhealth.org with the email title “SHADOW REQUEST”.
• Failure to complete all of the required documents above will result in a denial of the shadow/observation request.

Step Two

• You will be notified by email if IU Health Bedford is able to place you in a shadowing experience. The email will instruct you on the next steps towards the completion of your shadow experience.
  

Follow a Provider

Are you interested in becoming a doctor or nurse practitioner? At IU Health Bedford Hospital, we are happy to let you shadow one of these professionals in our facility. Just follow the steps below.

Application Process

Step One

Individuals that desire to follow a physician, physician's assistant or nurse practitioner must contact the professional directly and obtain a sponsorship. If you are accepted, he/she may determine the duration of the experience. Find a listing of physicians.

Step Two

Once you are accepted by the physician/nurse practitioner, you will need to complete the mandatory steps below before you start your student experience.

• Complete the Shadowing Application (PDF). Write in the healthcare professional’s name in box 2 on page 2.
• Read the Following Material: In-Service Document (PDF)
• Submit completed application, health screening question, proof of required immunizations, in-service quiz, and agreement and acknowledgement form to IU Health Bedford's Student Placement Coordinator at bdfstudentplacement@iuhealth.org with the email title "PROVIDER SHADOW REQUEST".
  • Failure to complete all the required documents above will result in a denial of the shadow/observation request

Contact Us

The staff at the IU Health Bedford Student Placement Services is ready to assist you. We hope you have found our online information helpful. If you need assistance in completing any of the orientation requirements, please contact us via our preferred method of email.

Student Placement Services

IU Health Bedford Hospital
2900 W. 16th St.
Bedford, IN 47421

• Email: bdfstudentplacement@iuhealth.org
• Phone: 812.277.3834 (office)
• Fax: 812.275.1341

Parking for Students

Find important information about student parking at IU Health Bedford Hospital. Download parking and directions guide (PDF).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Clinical Students Questions

Q: After I am accepted, why do I have to read through the Clinical Student Mandatory Information?

A: The mandatory section of this website contains information that has medical, legal, and workplace health and safety implications for anyone working in a IU Health facility. The webpage was created to educate student health professionals about policies, procedures, and workplace expectations that will influence the way a student will conduct themselves while at IU Health Bedford. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to know about and understand the content of the website.

By signing the Student/Instructor Agreement/Acknowledgement form, you are indicating that the content of this webpage is both read and understood. While much of the information may be considered “common sense”, a lot of it is specific to IU Health Bedford and will be new to anyone who has not worked within this hospital.

Finally, if you have not completed the packet prior to beginning your placement, you may find that your access to IU Health Bedford is delayed and/or denied.

Q: This is my second placement at IU Health Bedford Hospital. Do I have to read it all again?

A: All paperwork is compliant for one year and must be resubmitted on an annual basis.

Q: Who do I turn the completed packet of forms into when I am finished?

A: Prior to starting your clinical rotations at IU Health Bedford, each student MUST turn their completed Clinical Student Application in to their college/university instructor.

The instructor is then required to turn the completed packet in to the Student Placement Services office prior to you starting any clinical rotation or observation at IU Health Bedford Hospital.

Shadowing & Internship Questions

Q: What is the difference between shadowing and an internship?

A: Shadowing is a strictly “observation only” experience that lasts for a period of 24 hours or less. An internship is the experience given to an individual seeking to complete educational program requirements who desires a “limited hands-on” or “project related” experience in one department for a period of more than 24 hours.

*Only students who are fulfilling educational program requirements will be considered for internships.

Q: What departments can I choose from to shadow or complete my internship?

A: Many different areas of the hospital are available to students who would like to shadow or complete an internship. For a specific list of areas, please refer to the Shadower/Observer Application.

Q: What if I want to shadow or intern with a physician?

A: If you want to shadow or intern with a physician, you must contact the physician’s office and obtain a physician sponsorship. Once that has been done, you must contact the IU Health Bloomington Student Placement Services office at 812.353.5527 for further instruction.

Q: How long does it take to process my student placement application?

A: The length of time may vary for processing depending on the number of applications pending and department activity. We will try to accommodate as many requests as possible while maintaining patient care as our number one priority and providing quality experiences for students.

We typically require a 2-week minimum period for application processing. This is why we request for you to give us dates that are at least 3 weeks out.

Q: After I am accepted, why do I have to read through the student mandatory information?

A: The mandatory section of this webpage contains information that has medico, legal, and workplace health and safety implications for anyone working in an IU Health facility. The website was created to educate student health professionals about policies, procedures, and workplace expectations that will influence the way a student will conduct themselves while at IU Health Bedford. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to know about and understand the content of the website.

By signing the Student Agreement/Acknowledgement form, you are indicating that the content of this webpage is both read and understood. While much of the information may be considered “common sense”, a lot of it is specific to IU Health Bedford and will be new to anyone who has not worked within this hospital. Finally, if you have not completed the checklist prior to beginning your placement, you may find that your access to IU Health Bedford is delayed and/or denied.

Q: This is my second placement at IU Health Bedford. Do I have to read it all again?

A: All interns are required to submit the initial paperwork. If there is a lapse in time of more than one month between your student experiences, you will need to resubmit a new set of paperwork. If your placement moves to another department within the hospital without a lapse, you will not need to fill out new paperwork.

General Questions

Q: Where do I report on my first day?

A: See parking map for directions on where to park. You will report directly to the department you are shadowing/interning/and or are being placed for your clinical rotation unless told otherwise by your clinical instructor. Specific directions will be provided to you via e-mail by the Hospital Education Coordinator prior to your first day onsite.

Q: What is tuberculosis and the two-step TST?

A: TB, or tuberculosis, is a disease caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. The bacteria can attack any part of your body, but they usually attack the lungs. TB is spread through the air from one person to another.

The two-step Tuberculosis Skin Test (TST) is an antigen used to aid in the diagnosis of tuberculosis infection. A healthcare worker can give you the TST (formerly PPD Series). The healthcare worker will inject a small amount of testing fluid (called tuberculin) just under the skin on the lower part of your arm. You may have a small bump where the tuberculin was injected.

After 2 or 3 days, the healthcare worker will measure this bump and tell you if your reaction to the test is positive or negative. A positive reaction usually means that you have a latent TB infection not TB disease. If you have a positive reaction to the skin test, your doctor or nurse may do other tests (Example: a chest x-ray) to see if you have TB disease. Because the TB bacteria may be found somewhere besides your lungs, your doctor or nurse may check your blood or urine, or do other tests. If you have TB disease, you will need to take medicine to cure the disease.

The Employee Health Services department at IU Health Bedford requires a two-step series (the process mentioned above must be completed twice).

Q: When and where can I get the TST?

A: You have three options:

1. The easiest option for a TB skin test is to make a visit to your primary care provider.
2. The second option is to visit the IU Health Bedford Walk-In Clinic which is located directly behind the hospital (glass building). They are open Monday-Friday 8 am - 8 pm and on Saturday from 8 am - 5 pm. This does not require an appointment.
3. If needed IU Health Bedford Occupational Health Office can place your TB test. An appointment is required. Please call to schedule an appointment at 812.275.9675.

Q: What if I have already had a TST within the past 12 months?

A: Documentation of the TST must be provided (it must include the date and exact time it was placed and the date and exact time it was read), and this will be counted as the first step. A second step TB may be required.

Q: As a shadower or intern, do I have to complete the tuberculosis testing and turn in immunization records?

A: Yes, all shadowers and interns are required to meet all the immunization requirements that are listed in the Student Placement Application.

Q: What is a MMR?

A: MMR is the combined vaccine against measles, mumps, and rubella and is usually a childhood vaccination. It is known as the safest way to protect children and adults against these diseases.

Q: What is Rubella IgG?

A: Rubella – commonly known as German measles or 3-day measles – is an infection that primarily affects the skin and lymph nodes. It is caused by the rubella virus (not the same virus that causes measles), which is usually transmitted by secretions from the nose or throat.

Q: What does this positive varicella IgG mean?

A: This is a blood test in order to determine if a person has antibodies for the chicken pox disease in their system. A positive Varicella IgG means the individual is not susceptible to Chickenpox (Varicella) disease because they have previously had Chickenpox disease.

Q: What is hepatitis B disease?

A: It is caused by the hepatitis B virus that attacks the liver. The virus is transmitted through blood and infected bodily fluids. This can occur through direct blood-to-blood contact, unprotected sex, use of unsterile needles, and from an infected woman to her newborn during the delivery process.