HCCP Student Programs
Health Care Career Pathways offers programs for students from groups that have not been well represented in health professions. Washington college students or recent graduates who are committed to racial health equity are 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. Enrollment in a college located in Washington state (or living in Washington state if you have recently graduated) is a requirement for enrollment.
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.
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.
Virtual Rounds
Upcoming Sessions:
Spring 2027 | March 30-June 1
Fall 2027 | Sept 14-Nov 17
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
APPLY FOR VIRTUAL ROUNDS
iHuman
You will work in groups with other students to evaluate patients using Kaplan’s iHUMAN virtual simulation of real clinical encounters. 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.
Upcoming sessions:
Winter 2027 | January 12 - March 23
Summer 2027 | June 22- Aug 24
APPLY FOR iHUMAN
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: Meets weekly on weeknights for up to 90 mins per class. 5-7 weeks.
Shadowing
Upcoming sessions:
Winter 2027 | January 13- March 10
Spring 2027 | March 31-May 26
Summer 2027 | July 14-Sept 1
- Shadowing shifts are on weekdays from 8 AM-12 PM or 1 PM-5 PM
- 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
Eligible students may apply for HCCP shadowing at any time.
Acceptance into an HCCP shadowing cohort requires successfully finishing Virtual Rounds or Future Public Health Leaders first.
If you are interested in pre-medical shadowing without participating in the HCCP Program, see processes and guidelines on the Clinical Learning page.
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
College seniors or recent college graduates who have successfully completed at least two HCCP programs can apply for a 12-18 month internship with the HCCP Program. This is a paid opportunity to 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: 12 hours per week minimum.
- This job can be done with a combination of flexible hours and scheduled hours.
- Based on program needs and intern availability, temporary time increases to a maximum of 20 hours a week may be offered.
- 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.
Alumni
Alumni wishing to connect with peers, please join our Slack channel at https://virtualroundscollege.slack.com