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HCCP Student Programs

Health Care Career Pathways offers programs for college students from groups that have not been well represented in health professions. Any Washington student who is interested in a future in health care and committed to racial health equity is encouraged to apply. We contribute to Washington's workforce development by meeting pre-health career students where they are, whether disadvantaged by socioeconomic background, geographic location, or first-generation college attendance.

Interested, but not quite ready to jump in?

Fill out our HCCP Interest Form to start getting e-mail, application alerts and news from HCCP, so you can plan for upcoming opportunities. 

HCCP INTEREST FORM

Your starting point: choose from virtual rounds or future public health leaders

Learn about health systems, racial health equity, and how to make a difference as a future health care leader!

College students can choose the clinical track by starting with Virtual Rounds (VR) or the public health track with Future Public Health Leaders (FPHL). All students will gain valuable clinical knowledge and will explore the origins and impacts of racial health inequities.  You will learn from range of clinical specialists and public health professionals, providing you with a breadth of information and guidance as you consider potential careers.

After completing Virtual Rounds or Future Public Health Leaders, you will be eligible to participate in other HCCP programs listed below.

A chart showing the process of pre-health track and public health track.

Exploring Health Careers (You don't have to be a doctor!)

Next Session Date: TBD

Ideal for: College freshman or sophomores who are exploring health career options. College juniors, seniors, or recent graduates applying to medical/PA school and seeking to build their understanding of health careers prior to interviews.

Program Goals: Health care is not just doctors! Get introduced to a range of deeply satisfying options to pursue in health care. This course trains future health professionals on the interdisciplinary nature of health care and will help future medical/PA school applicants demonstrate their understanding of U.S. health care systems.

Commitment: 10-week class, meets weekly on a weeknight for up to 90 mins per class

Virtual Rounds

Fall 2026 

  • Section A: Tuesday evenings 6:30 - 8:00 PM from Sept 15 to Nov 17
  • Section B: Wednesday evenings 6:30 - 8:00 PM from Sept 16 to Nov 18

Ideal if you’re exploring different medical specialties or this is your first time getting involved with HCCP. This program provides exposure to various disciplines and helps you understand the day-to-day responsibilities of healthcare professionals.

  • Gain insight into multiple medical specialties
  • Meet Kaiser Permanente clinicians and learn about their lives in medicine
  • Explore the origins and impacts of racial health inequities, and how to make a difference
  • Grow foundational knowledge for your future clinical experience

APPLICATIONS OPEN AUGUST 10, 2026 | Get notified when applications open! Join our Interest List

iHuman

You will work in groups with other students to evaluate a patient using Kaplan’s iHUMAN virtual simulation of a real clinical encounter. In preparation for health professional school, you will also learn how to present these cases. To help you practice, you will present to Washington Permanente Medical Group clinicians, who then discuss how similar patients are managed in real-life.

Current Session in progress: July 2026 (full)

Next Session: January 12. 2027 - March 9, 2027 | Get notified when applications open! Join our Interest List

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Shadowing

Upcoming session: January 13- March 10, 2027

  • Gain 20 hours of in-person shadowing
  • Enhance your application for medical or PA school
  • NOTE: Virtual Rounds or Future Public Health Leaders are prerequisites for HCCP Shadowing.

Applications are open to HCCP students who have completed Virtual Rounds or Future Public Health Leaders

APPLY FOR HCCP SHADOWING

Mentorship

Mentorship closed February 2026 for students planning to apply to medical or PA school during the 2026 cycle. Students are matched with a mentor to support them through their application process and help them develop professionally.

  • Develop a relationship with a medical professional
  • Get support in writing your personal statement, secondaries, etc.
  • Networking and professional development

Internship

One internship position is now open - Apply by August 14, 2026
College seniors or recent college graduates who have successfully completed at least two HCCP programs can apply for a 12-month internship with the HCCP Program. This is a paid opportunity to work 10-15 hours a week as a peer leader in our college programs. Interns help improve our programs by contributing strategic thinking and assisting with outreach and student development.  

  • Time commitment: an average of 12-15 hours a week.
  • This job can be done with a combination of flexible hours and scheduled hours.
  • Pay is $23.00 per hour.

Scheduled work times are:

  • Tuesday or Wednesday evenings for facilitating HCCP classes on Zoom.
  • Mondays from noon-1 for an online operations meeting.
  • One or two Thursday mornings per month for in-person strategy meetings and professional development.
  • Note: Scheduled work times may change due to program needs, but advance notice will be given.

Apply online: Healthcare Careers Pathway Intern in Renton, WA | Washington Permanente

Alumni

Alumni wishing to connect with peers, please join our Slack channel at https://virtualroundscollege.slack.com