Practical experience is an important part of any healthcare education. While the concepts learned in class might build an essential knowledge base, exposure to a clinical setting helps pre-health students see how their knowledge translates to professional practice. One way to gain this experience is by completing a medical externship.
Externships offer students a way to observe healthcare professionals at work, ask questions, and explore potential career paths. Whether you’re considering an externship or actively looking for an opportunity, this guide will walk you through what you need to know — from the benefits they provide to tips you can use to secure a placement.
Differences Between Externships & Internships
Benefits of Clinical Externships
How to Find Healthcare Externships
What Is an Externship?
Externships in healthcare offer pre-health students the opportunity to gain exposure to the medical field by shadowing a working healthcare professional. These programs link classroom learning and professional practice, helping future healthcare providers see how theoretical knowledge applies in a clinical environment.
Externships are usually arranged through partnerships between educational institutions and healthcare employers, such as hospitals, clinics, or private practices. These collaborations ensure that students receive a practical education to supplement their time in the classroom while also allowing employers to mentor and assess potential future hires.
Differences Between Externships & Internships
Though internships and externships are similar in how they provide firsthand exposure to an active clinical environment and present opportunities to make professional connections, they differ in many significant ways.
One of the key differences between the two opportunities is the level of hands-on participation. Externships are primarily observational, giving students the opportunity to shadow experienced healthcare professionals, ask questions, and get a feel for what it’s like to work in a clinical setting. In contrast, internships are more hands-on, with interns actively participating in providing patient care.
Another distinction is duration. Externships are short-term experiences that last anywhere between a few days and several weeks. Internships are generally longer, and, depending on the program, can span several months or be a full-year commitment.
The level of responsibility also varies between the two roles. Interns are often given specific duties, working more independently and actively contributing to daily operations. Externs, on the other hand, primarily observe and learn, with limited opportunities for direct patient care.
Finally, there is a difference in compensation. Internships may be paid or unpaid, depending on the employer and program structure. Externships are almost always unpaid as they are designed to be primarily educational rather than work-based experiences.
Benefits of Clinical Externships
For aspiring healthcare professionals, externships are invaluable experiences. They provide a unique opportunity for students to:
- Learn about their chosen career path. Externships give students a firsthand look at patient care, medical procedures, and the day-to-day operations of healthcare facilities, making it easier to fully understand the demands of a career in medicine.
- Build professional relationships. Networking is an essential part of career growth, and externships enable students to establish connections with healthcare professionals.
- Make fully informed career decisions. For students still exploring career options, externships offer a chance to experience different specializations and work environments before committing to a specific path.
- Prepare for future employment. By gaining a realistic perspective of what it’s like to work in healthcare, students gain a new understanding of what to expect and can begin to develop the skills needed for success.
How to Find Healthcare Externships
The first step toward reaping the benefits of an externship is to secure an opportunity. While some externships are readily available through academic programs, landing others requires a more proactive approach. Here’s how you can start your search:
Utilize Career Services at Your School
If you’re a pre-health student at a college or university, your school’s career center can be an excellent resource. Check to see if they offer specific health career advising, as specialized advisors may be able to connect you with available externship opportunities that aren’t readily accessible on your own.
Reach Out to Local Medical Facilities
Nearby hospitals, clinics, private practices, and specialty healthcare centers may offer externship programs that aren’t widely advertised. Contacting these facilities directly can lead to openings that may not be publicly listed. When you get in touch, be prepared to speak about your educational background, career goals, and what you hope to gain from the experience.
Leverage Your Network
Professors, academic advisors, and even friends or family members who work in healthcare may be able to help you find an externship. Networking with healthcare professionals at job fairs, conferences, or professional platforms can also open doors to potential opportunities.
Enroll in a Training Program With Externship Placement
Some healthcare training programs — such as the ones offered by Advanced eClinical Training (ACT) — include an externship as part of the curriculum. Enrolling in a certification course that offers placement assistance can significantly simplify the search process and ensure you gain relevant practical experience as part of your education.
FAQs
What is a medical externship?
Medical externships are opportunities for pre-health students to gain exposure to the healthcare field by observing a working healthcare professional in action. These programs connect classroom learning and professional practice, helping students see how theoretical knowledge applies in a clinical environment.
What’s the difference between an externship and an internship?
While both allow for firsthand exposure to a clinical environment and present opportunities to make professional connections, externships, and internships differ in several ways. Externships are generally more observational in nature, shorter term, and more closely tied to education than internships are. They are also almost always unpaid.
Are externships required for medical school?
Even though externships aren’t typically required for medical school admission, it helps to have the experience on your resume. Completing an externship demonstrates your commitment to the healthcare field and your future career, and can make your application stand out to admissions committees.
Where can I find externship opportunities?
There are several avenues to explore during your search for an externship. If you’re a student at a college or university, your school’s career center may be able to point you in the right direction. Reaching out to local medical facilities directly, tapping into your professional network, and enrolling in a medical certification course that offers externship placements are also worthwhile options.
A healthcare externship is a great way to gain firsthand insight into the medical field and explore potential career paths. If you’re looking for a certification program that combines expert-led training with practical learning through guaranteed externship placements, ACT’s pre-health certificate courses can help you take the next step. Browse our programs and enroll today to get started.
