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GWINNETT HOSPITAL SYSTEM
LEARNING RESOURCES
Shadowing/Observation Experiences
6050-07
Original Date
Review Dates
Revision Dates
09/2007
9/2010, 1/2011
9/2010, 1/2011
POLICY
It is the policy of Gwinnett Hospital System (GHS) to provide shadowing/observation experiences
whenever possible for students in university/college and graduate healthcare curriculums, for individuals
to meet university/college healthcare programs admission requirements and for individuals interested in
pursuing healthcare careers; in accordance with the Health Insurance, Portability and Accountability Act
(HIPPA). No one under the age of 18 will be permitted to shadow. This policy is in effect for all areas,
clinical and non-clinical, within the hospital system.
DEFINITIONS
Midlevel Provider – A healthcare provider practicing under the supervision of a physician.
Observer – An individual in an observation experience to explore a health care profession. This
experience does not allow for participation in patient care, or involvement with Gwinnett Medical
Center technology and equipment. Term may be used interchangeably with Shadower.
Procedural Areas – Units/Departments that perform patient procedures. Examples include operating
room, endoscopy, cath lab, and labor and delivery.
Process Form – Documentation form containing information required for the shadowing/observation
experience.
Shadower – An individual in an observation experience to explore a health care profession. This
experience does not allow for participation in patient care, or involvement with Gwinnett Medical
Center technology and equipment. Term may be used interchangeably with Observer.
Student – An individual enrolled in a healthcare curriculum.
.
PROCEDURE/GUIDELINE
A. Students requesting to shadow an associate/physician;
1. Student
a. Identifies an associate/physician/midlevel provider who has agreed to allow the
student to shadow them in the hospital setting.
b. Completes Shadowing Process Form and completes shadowing materials available
on GMC’s external website.
c. Submits the Shadowing Process Form with GHS required shadowing materials to
Learning Resources at [email protected].
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2. Associate - when an associate is to be shadowed, the associate is identified on the
Shadowing Process Form. The associate to be shadowed emails Learning Resources,
[email protected], the following:
1. Name of the shadower,
2. Documents their department manager has approved the shadowing; and
3. Notes the date/s (1-2 days), time (start-finish), and number of hrs. the
shadowing is to occur.
3. Physician/Midlevel Provider – when a physician/midlevel provider is to be shadowed the
physician/midlevel provider is identified on the Shadowing Process Form. The
physician/physician
designee/midlevel
provider
emails
Learning
Resources
[email protected], the following:
1. Name of the shadower, and
2. Notes the date/s (1-2 days), time (start-finish), and number of hrs. the
shadowing is to occur.
4. Learning Resources (LR) - upon receipt of all required documents:
a. Communicates approval/denial of the shadowing request within 5-7 business days
of receipt of request.
b. Directs Associate/physician or physician designee/midlevel provider to have
shadower pick up an Observer badge from LR prior to shadowing date.
B. Instructors requesting a shadowing experience for their clinical group:
1. Instructor completes the Observation Section of the “Request Form: Nursing Student
Clinical Group”;
2. Instructor emails the Request Form to the student placement coordinator in the Learning
Resources Department to place the request for their student/s shadowing experience.
3. The LR student placement coordinator:
a. Communicates the request to the area manager/designee; and
b. Informs the instructor of the acceptance/denial of the request by the area
manager/designee.
4. The LR student placement coordinator: informs all parties that the shadowing can proceed.
C.
The length of the shadowing experience will be limited to one to two days as approved by the
department manager.
Exceptions may be made for extended shadowing experiences, when extended shadowing is a
documented requirement of an academic program and is approved by department manager.
D.
Individuals shadowing/observing must dress in business casual attire with supportive shoes or
wear attire as designated by the Procedural area..
E.
Individuals shadowing/observing will wear a name badge identifying them as an observer at all
times.
Individuals shadowing/observing are to be accompanied at all times, by the person they are to be
shadowing.. This will be the named associate or named physician/midlevel provider as
identified on the Shadowing Process Form.
F.
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G.
Individuals must complete the Shadowing Process Form along with the documents listed on the
Gwinnett Medical Center external website at:
http://www.gwinnettmedicalcenter.org/programs-classes/GMCContentPage.aspx?nd=278,
these tests, acknowledgements, and forms are turned into the Learning Resources (LR)
Department prior to beginning the shadowing experience.
H.
Additional requirements for Shadowers/Observers in Procedural Areas:
1.
Approval by the Director of the Procedural Area or designee.
2.
Complete the OR Protocol self study and accompanying Acknowledgement form also
located on the GMC external website with the shadowing materials noted in “G”.
ATTACHMENTS
Shadowing Process Form For Requests
Request Form: Nursing Student Clinical Group
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Learning Resources Department
Medical Staff Office
APPROVAL BODIES
Director, Learning Resources
Senior Vice President, Human Resources
KEYWORDS
Student, observation, shadowing, observer
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