Student Placement Services - IU Health Academic Health Center (AHC) Indianapolis

Rehabilitation Services Job Shadowing

Job shadowing is a great way to determine if a specific health care position is a good fit for your unique skills and interests.

This page has information for those that are 14 years or older in high school or college that are interested in job shadowing in physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech language pathology, audiology, or recreation therapy with the IU Health Academic Health System. Locations to observe may include IU Health Methodist Hospital, IU Health University Hospital, IU Health Fishers Hospital, Riley Children’s Hospital along with many outpatient locations in Indianapolis, Carmel, Noblesville, Greenwood, and Zionsville. This site is only for shadowing opportunities in those professions and in those possible locations. If you are between the ages of 14-18, the opportunities to shadow are mainly in outpatient settings for the different professions and at times may be limited in the winter due to flu restrictions.

Note: Shadowing experiences are observation-only and limited to a maximum of 24 hours. In many cases, the actual hours we are able to schedule is less than 24 hours and we only schedule 2-3 actual days. Shadowing days are also typically divided among different areas within the same profession rather than completed in one location. Shadow opportunities are only available Monday–Fridays from 8-12, 1-4 or 8-4 timeframes. For some areas, availability may be more limited. Filling out the application materials does not guarantee an observation, the number of observations scheduled each month is limited.

If interested in observing, please complete the following paperwork and send to the contact below. Please send each item as a complete separate attachment. Please do not send in Google Docs or a photo format.

If you are under 18, a parent or guardian signature is required on each document with your signature.

To speed up the scheduling process, please provide your proof of vaccinations when you email the application (see page 4 for requirements). The results of TB testing can be turned in after being contacted to set up the actual observations.

Contact information

Email: AHCRehabObserver@iuhealth.org

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to process my shadow application?
The length of time will vary 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 only take a limited number of observations a month in areas and for many areas we may be scheduling several months in advance.

What is TB and what TB testing is required?
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. You will need to be able to submit results for negative tests to be able to observe. If you have a positive test, then please contact your physician.

IU Health Employee Health Services department requires a two-step series (the process mentioned above must be completed twice) or a blood TB test.

As a shadower, do I have to complete the TB testing and turn in immunization records?
Yes, all shadowers are required to meet all the immunization requirements that are listed in the clinical student validation form/observer application.