During the experience, students will gain a general introduction to careers in healthcare and have the option to work with a mentor in one of the following departments:

• • • The Advocacy & Public Policy Department provides support and advocacy for CHOC and its vast network of patients, associates, and providers.  The department includes Government Affairs, and the Office of Belonging, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (BDEI).  CHOC works with other children’s hospitals through the California Children’s Hospital Association (CCHA) and National Association of Children’s Hospitals (NACH) to advocate for funding and public policy that benefits child health and children’s hospitals. They also collaborate with other healthcare providers through state and national organizations to educate legislators about the need for new laws that support safety net providers and their patients. Through this experience, students will have the opportunity to learn about current initiatives and policies that the Directors of Government Affairs and BDEI are currently working on. 

• • • Finance: The Finance Department is responsible for recording, monitoring, reporting, analyzing and managing the operations of the organization, which include revenues, expenses, key performance indicators, trends and other data. The data is provided internally to executive leadership and management and also externally to auditors and others. Within Finance, the accountants are responsible for recording, tracking, analyzing and reporting the financial data. The Accounts Payable team is responsible for processing vendor invoices and payments. The Payroll team is responsible to ensure that all associates are paid for the time that they work. Through this experience students will learn more about the workings of the Finance Department and how it works with various departments throughout the organization, including but not limited to: Treasury, Purchasing and Financial Planning Departments.

    • Human Resources: The HR department is responsible for managing employee-related resources. It’s an essential partner in an organization’s success. CHOC understands the importance of enjoying a meaningful career. That’s why at CHOC, they connect every employee to their mission: to nurture, advance and protect the health and well-being of children. CHOC has created a community that fosters collaboration, innovation and growth so everyone can make a difference in kids’ lives. Through this experience, students will learn about the internal structure of HR and its many corresponding units that contribute to its main functions: Administration, Recruiting and Staffing, Health and Safety, Training and Development, Compensation and Benefits, Labor and Employee Relations, Disciplinary Actions, New Hire Onboarding, Company Policies, and Diversity & Inclusion.

  • • The Information Systems Department department is the formal organizational unit responsible for information technology services. The information systems department is responsible for maintaining the hardware, software, data storage, and networks that comprise the organization’s IT infrastructure. Through this experience, students will have the opportunity to learn about how information systems and technical support is applied in healthcare and a hospital setting. 
      
      
    • Nursing Research & Innovation: CHOC nurses are dedicated to enhancing pediatric acute, critical, and ambulatory care through the creation of new knowledge and the implementation of evidence-based practice. At CHOC, nurses at all levels of the organization are encouraged and supported to engage in: Research, Evidence-Based Practice, Innovation, and Quality Improvement. Through this experience, students will learn about the type of research and innovative practices that are currently taking place at CHOC.

Visit the CHOC website to learn more about the organization. 

This opportunity is open to rising seniors who are interested in contributing to their community through careers in business and professional services, information technology, healthcare innovation, or advocacy and public policy.