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Emergency Department Clinical Research Undergraduate Internship

The clinical research undergraduate internship is a unique opportunity for students to directly participate in clinical research. Students will develop research skills ranging from patient enrollment in clinical research projects to engaging in overall research operations in various departments, such as Emergency Medicine and Hematology. In addition, research interns will participate in workshops geared towards their professional development, receive mentorship from physicians and other healthcare providers, and learn more about careers in healthcare.

This clinical internship will be conducted onsite at Children’s National Hospital. As directed by hospital policy, interns will need to show proof of being fully vaccinated, as well as meet other requirements, to participate in the internship program.

The fall 2023 internship is from October 1, 2023 - May 2, 2024. Interns are required to spend 30 hours a week onsite.

  • Students will gain research experience working in various clinical departments at Children’s National Hospital that will strengthen their skills in developing a career in public health and/or medicine
  • Students will be exposed to the practical application of research to provide critical context and texture to research theory 
  • The ED Research Undergraduate Internship offers a broad diversity of research from basic observational studies to complex randomized controlled trials thereby exposing students to the full spectrum of research applications in a single clinical setting
  • Motivated students will have the opportunity to develop mentor/mentee relationships with faculty and clinical staff, which given appropriate motivation on the part of each individual student, could result in graduate school/professional recommendation letters from faculty and the opportunity to develop an individual research project and/or work in an externship capacity with an individual faculty member on an existing research protocol
  • The onsite internship will allow shadowing physicians in the clinical setting
  • This is an unpaid learning experience. A stipend may be available

Eligibility and Requirements

To be considered for the internship, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years of age and a sophomore in college at the time of application. Undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students are encouraged to apply
  • Be able/willing to commit a minimum of 30 hours per week onsite, no more than 4 shifts/ week
  • Be willing to be onsite day, night and weekend shifts
  • Demonstrate strong academic standing
  • Commit to the entire length of the internship

Terms of the Emergency Department Research Internship

The terms of an emergency department research internship are as follows:

  • The interns will work onsite with the Emergency Department research team on clinical research projects specifically focused on patient contact and administrative duties. Research interns are required to contribute four shifts/week for a minimum of 30 hours (day, night and weekend) starting October 1, 2023. 
  • Interns will be required to attend research, healthcare and clinical lectures conducted throughout the period and create a final poster project
  • Mentorship is available to each extern/intern to help guide his/her progress. However, it is important to note that the breadth of exposure and experience for each extern will be driven by his/her own initiative and interest
  • Demonstrate strong academic standing
  • Commit to the entire length of the internship
  • The fall session dates are October 1, 2023 – May 2, 2024, with no exceptions

Number of positions offered: 10 interns will be accepted for the fall 2023 session. The final application deadline is 11:59 p.m. August 25, 2023; all items must be submitted by that deadline. You will receive an e-mail by September 1, 2023, if you are selected for an interview. 

How to Apply

Submit the following documents via email:

  • Cover letter
  • Resume
  • Unofficial academic transcript
  • Two letters of recommendation (one letter must be academic)

Contact Information

For more information about the Emergency Department Research Undergraduate Internship, please contact:

Program Co-Directors:
Bobbe Thomas, CCRP (she/her)
Jessica Hippolyte M.D., M.P.H. (she/her)
Children’s National Hospital
Division of Emergency Medicine
Children’s National Research Institute
111 Michigan Ave, NW
Washington, D.C. 20010
Email