The Office of Advanced Practice Providers (OAPP) facilitates shadow experiences for individuals interested in shadowing Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, Nurse Practitioners, and Physician Assistants.

Shadowing experiences are observational only; individuals are not permitted to assist in any way. Shadowing experiences are typically a one day experience; an individual can shadow up to three times, up to 8 hours in one day. One day of shadowing can consist of any amount of hours, whether it is only a few hours or an all-day (8 hours) experience.

Participants must be at least a senior in high school. If a participant is under the age of 18, parental consent is required. Individuals under the age of 18 are not permitted to shadow in operating room settings. The only exception to this is for the shadowing of a CRNA. To shadow a CRNA, the individual must be at least a senior in high school. Please note that persons under the age of 18 are not permitted in operating rooms.

Shadowing participants are required to pay $50 per shadow experience (with one preceptor for 1-3 days, no more than 8 hours per day) Click on the Register/Take Course tab and then log in to your account.  If you do not have an account, please click register to create one.  Only fill in the information with the red *. 

Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee a placement. A refund can be issued at any time upon request. 

Current UPMC employees will have the fee waived, but it is still necessary to fill out the required information. Select “Full-Time Employee (Fee Waived)” on the initial registration page.

You are required to review our Terms and Conditions.

The interested individual must also complete and submit the following information to appstudents@upmc.edu.

All required items must be sent in one PDF document. We will not accept individual PDF or JPEG files. UPMC Employees are still required to submit all paperwork – we do not have access to UPMC HR files.

1. Within the Job Shadow Agreement and Application Packet, please complete the pages listed below:
   Job Shadow Agreement
   Job Shadow Application
   Parental Consent Form (if applicable)
   Release of Liability Form (if applicable)
   Intent to Participate Form
   HIPAA Compliance
   Visitor Confidentiality Agreement
   Job Shadow Health Questionnaire
2. Read the UPMC OAPP Student Educational Experience Orientation Handbook. Submit ONLY the signed last page of the Handbook.
3. TB test results (or chest x-ray) within one year
4. Evidence of Flu Vaccination (only required for experiences September-March)

Once the OAPP receives all the necessary documentation and payment from the individual, at least 60 days are necessary in order to find a placement. Once a shadow placement has been secured, all communication regarding specific meeting places, times, etc. shall occur between the APP and the individual.

If you are interested in serving as a preceptor for a clinical rotation or a shadow experience, please contact APPStudents@upmc.edu.