Shadowing at UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital / Inverness Ambulatory Surgery Center

Welcome to the shadowing program at UCHealth South Metro. This is for individuals interested in shadowing at Highlands Ranch Hospital, Inverness Ambulatory Surgery Center, and Steadman Hawkins. UCHealth is proud of the excellent care we provide to our patients and values the opportunity to educate future clinical, administrative, and research leaders. This program allows you to observe health care professionals in action, learn about hospital operations, and gain insight into quality and innovation in patient care. Please review the information on the application carefully before applying. Our Shadowing Program is designed to provide a structured, educational experience while maintaining the highest standards of patient safety, security, and privacy.

Program Highlights

  • Shadowing is limited to 12 hours annually.
  • Applicants must be 18 years or older to participate.
  • This is an educational opportunity only; no hands-on patient interaction or case advising is permitted.
  • Participation is voluntary and cannot be used for school credit.
  • Shadowing applications must be submitted and approved at least one week prior to the shadowing experience.
  • All shadowing in operating rooms require prior approval from the OR Manager or Director.

To learn more and apply, please click Apply Now:

Apply Now

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do I find a Sponsor?
    There are a few ways to identify a UCHealth employee or provider to sponsor your shadowing experience:

     

    • You may go to www.UCHealth.org and at the bottom of that page under Patient Support, you can find a doctor, location or specialty. You will need to contact them directly to inquire if they will allow you to shadow and who your Sponsor will be.
    • Call a UCHealth department: Dial the hospital's main line at 720-516-1000 and request to be transferred to a specific department or provider
    • Reach out via email: If you know the name of the individual you'd like to shadow, try reaching out using the standard email formats below:
      • Firstname.lastname@uchealth.org
      • firstname.lastname@cuanschutz.edu

      (Please note: while these formats are common, they may not apply to all providers.)

      UCHealth Volunteer Services & Shadowing Office team members are not able to assist or match you with a potential Sponsor. Once you've connected with a Sponsor and confirmed their availability, you can proceed with submitting your application.

  • When is my application due?
    All shadowing applications must be fully submitted and approved at least 7 days prior to the scheduled date of shadow. Applications received after that deadline may need to be rescheduled.
  • I'm a sponsor - what do I need to know?
    As a Sponsor, you are responsible for supervising the Shadower throughout their entire experience. Here's what you should know:

     

    • The Shadower must always be in your presence or the presence of a designated UCHealth team member.
    • You must obtain verbal patient consent before a Shadower enters a patient's room.
    • You will receive a Sponsor Acknowledgement Form via email to review. Please confirm or deny your understanding of this commitment.
    • You are responsible for ensuring the Shadower adheres to all UCHealth policies, including infection prevention, Code of Conduct, Confidentiality, HIPAA,
    • You are responsible for ensuring the Shadower returns their UCHealth-issued badge after the session is complete.
  • How long can I shadow?
    You may shadow up to 12 hours per year. Experiences can be split across different departments or dates if approved by your sponsor and the department manager.
  • What are the health requirements?

    Before shadowing, you must provide proof of:

    • Annual flu vaccine (October - May)
    • MMR, Varicella, and Tdap immunizations
    • Negative TB test (within the past 12 months)
    • COVID-19 vaccination is encouraged but not required

    You must also attest that you are in good health and free of contagious conditions.

  • What should I wear?
    Dress professionally in accordance with UCHealth's appearance policy. Do not wear white coats or scrubs that could imply you are medical staff. A UCHealth Shadower badge will be issued and must be worn at all times and returned daily.
  • What if I did not get a vaccination for an infection I previously had?
    If you've had a prior infection (i.e., chickenpox or measles) but don't have a vaccination record, you may submit positive titer results in place of vaccine documentation. These blood tests confirm immunity and are accepted by UCHealth as an alternative to vaccination records.
  • Is there a cost to participate?
    There is no cost for shadowing. However, participants are responsible for any costs related to required health documentation.
  • Can I get academic credit or clinical hours for shadowing?
    No. Shadowing is for observation only and cannot count toward academic clinical requirements, internships, or work experience.
  • How do I apply?
    Once you have identified a UCHealth sponsor, click the application link above to begin the application process and review required forms.

    When is the application due?

    All application materials - including health documentation, training, and signatures - must be completed and approved at least one week before the requested shadowing date. Applications received after that deadline may need to be rescheduled.