NOTICE FOR SHADOWING THROUGH AMSA OPPORTUNITIES:
Now, students MUST be fully credentialed with UPMC in order to be eligible for any shadowing opportunities through AMSA. Get more information and start the credentialing process by clicking the button below!
Now, students MUST be fully credentialed with UPMC in order to be eligible for any shadowing opportunities through AMSA. Get more information and start the credentialing process by clicking the button below!
Getting started
AMSA offers a wide variety of shadowing opportunities for our members who have their 2-step TB test and flu shot. Most physicians we shadow work in one of the UPMC facilities. We try to find doctors from a variety of specialties, from neurosurgery to oncology. As one of the only groups on campus to offer shadowing opportunities for our students, we highly encourage our members to take advantage of this chance to learn directly from physicians working in different fields and aspects of medicine.
If you would like to be considered for a shadowing opportunity you must email your valid 2-step TB test results and flu shot records to vcr.pittamsa@gmail.com. If you are selected to shadow, you will be contacted directly by the VCR committee. If you are selected and can no longer attend, please let the VCR co-chairs and/or the VCR member coordinating the event know as soon as possible so we can allow another student to fill the spot.
Preparing for a shadowing opportunity
2-step TB test and flu shot
If you would like to shadow any physician you must first get a 2-step TB test and flu shot. Flu shots are offered for free on campus at the Student Health Center and at the Healthy U Fairs throughout the school year. 2-step TB tests are unfortunately not free but are strictly required. A 2-step TB test requires 4 visits over the course of 2-4 weeks, a single TB test is not sufficient to shadow. At your initial visit you will have a small needle with the TB test solution inserted under the skin. In 3 days you will return to the office to have the injection site inspected. If the test is negative you will return to the office in 2 weeks’ time and have the same test performed and checked 3 days later. This is required by all facilities with which AMSA shadows and it is therefore imperative that if you wish to shadow a physician you get your TB test as soon as possible. A list of locations in the area which offer 2-step TB tests is provided below along with information on their hours of operation and cost.
General advice for shadowing
If you are chosen to participate in a shadowing opportunity you will be emailed by a member of the VCR committee specific instructions for the day, but we have some general guidelines that are applicable to all opportunities. Make sure you arrive on time. Since events are normally at UPMC centers they are easily reached by walking or taking a Port Authority bus. Make sure you eat before shadowing as sometimes especially when shadowing a surgery you will not have a chance to eat for several hours. Come with questions and an open mind. The doctor you are shadowing knows that you are an undergraduate and wants to help inform you not only about medicine in general but how to build your medical career. They do not expect you to know everything about medicine yet, but do expect you to be eager to learn. The best advice we have is that you act professionally and remember that the doctor you are shadowing is very busy but wants to take the time to work directly with you as part of the upcoming generation of physicians.
If you would like to be considered for a shadowing opportunity you must email your valid 2-step TB test results and flu shot records to vcr.pittamsa@gmail.com. If you are selected to shadow, you will be contacted directly by the VCR committee. If you are selected and can no longer attend, please let the VCR co-chairs and/or the VCR member coordinating the event know as soon as possible so we can allow another student to fill the spot.
Preparing for a shadowing opportunity
2-step TB test and flu shot
If you would like to shadow any physician you must first get a 2-step TB test and flu shot. Flu shots are offered for free on campus at the Student Health Center and at the Healthy U Fairs throughout the school year. 2-step TB tests are unfortunately not free but are strictly required. A 2-step TB test requires 4 visits over the course of 2-4 weeks, a single TB test is not sufficient to shadow. At your initial visit you will have a small needle with the TB test solution inserted under the skin. In 3 days you will return to the office to have the injection site inspected. If the test is negative you will return to the office in 2 weeks’ time and have the same test performed and checked 3 days later. This is required by all facilities with which AMSA shadows and it is therefore imperative that if you wish to shadow a physician you get your TB test as soon as possible. A list of locations in the area which offer 2-step TB tests is provided below along with information on their hours of operation and cost.
General advice for shadowing
If you are chosen to participate in a shadowing opportunity you will be emailed by a member of the VCR committee specific instructions for the day, but we have some general guidelines that are applicable to all opportunities. Make sure you arrive on time. Since events are normally at UPMC centers they are easily reached by walking or taking a Port Authority bus. Make sure you eat before shadowing as sometimes especially when shadowing a surgery you will not have a chance to eat for several hours. Come with questions and an open mind. The doctor you are shadowing knows that you are an undergraduate and wants to help inform you not only about medicine in general but how to build your medical career. They do not expect you to know everything about medicine yet, but do expect you to be eager to learn. The best advice we have is that you act professionally and remember that the doctor you are shadowing is very busy but wants to take the time to work directly with you as part of the upcoming generation of physicians.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Is it necessary for me to have a 2-step TB test to shadow?
Yes! It is critical that you have completed a 2-step TB test and have had a flu shot to shadow. A single TB test is not sufficient and you will not be allowed to shadow with it. This is not our policy but is a strict policy of UPMC.
Q: Do I need shadowing hours to get into medical school?
Most programs recommend that applicants have completed between 20 and 50 hours of shadowing. You are also expected to be able to talk about the experiences you had while shadowing and what you learned from the experience during the interview/application process.
Q: Can I sign-up for more than one event?
Yes, we encourage students to sign-up for any events which interest them. Spots are normally limited to one shadow per doctor so we unfortunately cannot accommodate everyone who signs-up. If you sign-up to shadow make sure you are available for the entire scheduled duration of the event. If you do not show-up for an event without notice of at least one week you will no longer be eligible to shadow with AMSA, so please ensure if you sign-up for an event you can attend if you are selected.
Q: What should I wear?
In most cases, we advise members to dress professionally as you will be shadowing the physician as they interact with patients. We also advise that you wear comfortable shoes as you will most likely be on your feet for the majority of the day. Some shadowing opportunities have a specific dress code such as surgeries. When you are chosen to participate in a shadowing opportunity you will receive more information on what to wear from the VCR committee.
Q: What should I bring with me?
We suggest that you bring a pen and small notebook and take notes throughout the day. Please refrain from using your cell phone, especially when there are patients in the area.
Q: Who can I contact if I have additional questions or questions about a specific opportunity?
If you have any questions which have not been answered here or questions about a specific shadowing opportunity which AMSA is offering please feel free to reach out to the VCR co-chairs at an AMSA meeting or via email at vcr.pittamsa@gmail.com.
Yes! It is critical that you have completed a 2-step TB test and have had a flu shot to shadow. A single TB test is not sufficient and you will not be allowed to shadow with it. This is not our policy but is a strict policy of UPMC.
Q: Do I need shadowing hours to get into medical school?
Most programs recommend that applicants have completed between 20 and 50 hours of shadowing. You are also expected to be able to talk about the experiences you had while shadowing and what you learned from the experience during the interview/application process.
Q: Can I sign-up for more than one event?
Yes, we encourage students to sign-up for any events which interest them. Spots are normally limited to one shadow per doctor so we unfortunately cannot accommodate everyone who signs-up. If you sign-up to shadow make sure you are available for the entire scheduled duration of the event. If you do not show-up for an event without notice of at least one week you will no longer be eligible to shadow with AMSA, so please ensure if you sign-up for an event you can attend if you are selected.
Q: What should I wear?
In most cases, we advise members to dress professionally as you will be shadowing the physician as they interact with patients. We also advise that you wear comfortable shoes as you will most likely be on your feet for the majority of the day. Some shadowing opportunities have a specific dress code such as surgeries. When you are chosen to participate in a shadowing opportunity you will receive more information on what to wear from the VCR committee.
Q: What should I bring with me?
We suggest that you bring a pen and small notebook and take notes throughout the day. Please refrain from using your cell phone, especially when there are patients in the area.
Q: Who can I contact if I have additional questions or questions about a specific opportunity?
If you have any questions which have not been answered here or questions about a specific shadowing opportunity which AMSA is offering please feel free to reach out to the VCR co-chairs at an AMSA meeting or via email at vcr.pittamsa@gmail.com.
TB test locations
Flu Shot information
Student health clinics in the fall offer flu shots for free, including at the HealthyU Fair in September and during other walk-in clinic hours. More information can be found here.