Kaiser Permanente High School Summer Internship: Nurturing Future Healthcare Leaders

Hawaii's healthcare system faces significant workforce shortages, a challenge Kaiser Permanente is actively addressing by investing in local youth and strengthening the healthcare pipeline. Through community partnerships and innovative programs, Kaiser Permanente offers students mentorships and early exposure to the healthcare industry. Far more than just summer jobs, the internships are thoughtfully designed to expose students to roles in health care and support their long-term growth. These initiatives aim to cultivate a new generation of homegrown healthcare professionals, ensuring better care for the community, especially in rural areas.

Addressing Healthcare Workforce Needs

The demand for healthcare workers in Hawaii remains high and is expected to increase due to the aging population. Entry-level positions, such as certified nurses, medical assistants, patient service representatives, and phlebotomists, are particularly needed. To meet this growing demand, Kaiser Permanente is taking an active role in strengthening the health care workforce pipeline through community partnerships that offer students mentorships and early exposure to the industry.

One such initiative, led by the Healthcare Association of Hawai‘i, is transforming high school classrooms into learning labs. Starting with Wai‘anae High School, the renovated building will feature classroom space and state-of-the-art lab areas, including an exam room, a hospital bay, long-term care bays, and a phlebotomy station. Kaiser Permanente's partnership in this endeavor has been invaluable, with their innovative programs and models proving to be incredibly helpful.

Kaiser Permanente's Youth Programs

In addition to community partnerships, Kaiser Permanente runs its own initiatives focused on the healthcare pipeline, including junior volunteer and internship programs to encourage Hawaii’s youth to explore careers in the healthcare industry. The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), now in its second year, marks a focused effort to engage younger talent.

The goal is to lead them into a diagnostic type imaging summer experience, but any student who wanted to major in the medical field would be exposed to different careers. Some students aren’t aware of medical careers outside of being a doctor or nurse.

High School Internship Program

The High School Internship Program is designed for high school students seeking to explore the healthcare field and build foundational workplace skills. This is a paid, part-time (20 hours per week) internship lasting 6-8 weeks between the summer months of June and August. Students under age 18 must submit a valid work permit covering the entire length of the Program.

The Kaiser Permanente Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) offers internship opportunities for high school and college students to gain hands-on work experience within administrative positions in the health care field.

College Internship Program

College internships are full-time, paid opportunities lasting 8 weeks during the summer months of June - August. The internship provides advanced learning and professional development. Returning college interns are encouraged to reapply, but placement is not guaranteed.

Apothecary Circle Program

The Apothecary Circle Program is designed for undergraduate students aspiring to pursue a career in pharmacy.

Program Features and Expectations

Interns are expected to dress professionally and in business appropriate attire. This program can provide you with an educational and hands-on experience that will accelerate your professional development. Each intern works on distinct projects that significantly contribute to the advancement and success of our research efforts.

Real-World Impact and Testimonials

One of the best aspects of the program is that interns work on real-world projects and initiatives. As an intern at Kaiser Permanente, you’ll develop your skills - and your confidence - as a member of an engaged, innovative, and committed team.

Lauren Tran, a summer 2024 intern, shared: "Kaiser Permanente’s R&E Summer Internship Program was an invaluable experience that deepened my understanding of epidemiology and introduced me to fungal diseases-an area of research I had never explored before. The program not only expanded my knowledge but also sharpened my data analysis skills in a meaningful way. I would highly recommend this internship to other students, as it offers a well-structured and immersive experience that fosters both academic and professional growth."

Esmeralda M., another intern, stated: "Participating in the R&E Summer Internship Program was an invaluable experience. It provided me with hands-on exposure to research. The mentorship and guidance I received were instrumental in enhancing my skills and understanding of the field. This internship not only deepened my passion for public health but also played a pivotal role in securing a full-time position with Kaiser. I am grateful for the opportunity and the professional growth it facilitated."

KP LAUNCH: Cultivating Diverse Leaders

Our vision for KP LAUNCH is to positively impact the lives of young adults from backgrounds that are currently underrepresented in health care careers and build a pipeline of diverse talent that will become future leaders in health care. The program goal is to build and sustain a diverse, culturally competent workforce for the future. To achieve that goal, we focus our intern positions on young people that would otherwise lack the resources to explore a career in health. By providing these young people a chance to learn from inspiring health care professionals and leaders, they can build a valuable professional network. They also gain practical skills and work experiences by focusing on projects that matter.

Mid-Atlantic States Youth Program

Kaiser Permanente partners with school districts and youth-serving organizations across the Mid-Atlantic States to provide interns with work experiences that expose them to administrative and clinical careers in health care environments. Interns will not participate in medical treatments or procedures during this internship but will work alongside care teams to provide high-quality care to our members.

Read also: Cultivating Healthcare Leaders

As an intern in the youth program, you will:

Enjoy a six-week summer work experience earning \$18/hr.
Attend workshops designed to enhance your professional skills.
Be matched with a mentor who will guide and support you in preparing for a career in health care.
Network with peers and staff through work-based activities.

As a community-serving program focused on shaping the future of health care, our workforce welcomes individuals from all backgrounds. We strongly encourage applicants from low-income families to apply.

Career Exploration Day

The Career Exploration Day gathered Maui high school students for a day of activities, such as creating casts and splints. Leslie Wilkins says she’s gotten great feedback from students who say the Career Exploration Day piqued their interest in medical school, and from their parents as well. One of the best aspects of the program is that interns work on real-world projects and initiatives.

Application Information

We recruit for these positions from January to April. Our business and technology internships are offered across our non-clinical operations. The application period opens annually during November/December of each year. Please review all eligibility requirements before and during the submission of your application. APPLICANTS WHO DO NOT MEET ALL REQUIREMENTS LISTED ABOVE ARE NOT ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.

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