Cleveland Clinic Louis Stokes Internship Program: Patient Services

The Patient Services track of The Cleveland Clinic Louis Stokes Internship Program focuses on the areas of health care that ensure patients have a safe, clean environment, nutritional food, and an overall positive experience while in the hospital setting.

Students who are accepted into this track may spend their internship in one of the following areas of Cleveland Clinic: Global Patient Services, Patient Support Services, Hotels, Environmental Services, Food Services, Sterile Processing, and Volunteer Guest Services.

Please review the Program Info, Eligibility, FAQs, and Application Process tabs BEFORE applying to the Patient Services track of The Cleveland Clininc Louis Stokes Internship Program.

Program InfoEligibilityFAQsApplication Process

Application for returning students is open from Monday, December 3, 2018 – Thursday, January 31, 2019; late applications are NOT accepted
Application for new students is open from Tuesday, January 1, 2019 – Thursday, February 28, 2019; late applications are NOT accepted
Applicants will be notified as to whether or not they will receive an interview in March, 2019
Applicants who move on to interviews will be notified as to whether or not they have been accepted into the program in April, 2019
The six consecutive program weeks begin with orientation on Monday, June 17, 2019, and end on Friday, July 26, 2019
Students must also attend the graduation event on August 2, 2019 as part of program completion.
There is also a Human Resources Onboarding day. Students offered a position will be advised of that date and time
Program hours are Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. during the six weeks of the program
The program takes place at Cleveland Clinic main campus, and other Clinic facilities
This is a paid internship. Students will be paid bi-weekly, in accordance with Cleveland Clinic’s pay cycle
During the program, students may participate in shadowing opportunities and work with their assigned mentor and Cleveland Clinic caregivers to learn about non-clinical careers in health care

PLEASE NOTE: Cleveland Clinic does not discriminate in admission, employment, or administration of its programs or activities, on the basis of age, gender, race, national origin, religion, creed, color, marital status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, ethnicity, ancestry, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, Cleveland Clinic administers all programs and services without regard to disability, and provides reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified disabled individuals.

Please read the eligibility requirements carefully to make sure you qualify. Applicants who do not all meet eligibility criteria will not be considered.

New students must:

Be a U.S. Citizen, non-citizen national, or legal permanent resident.
Be 15 years of age by June 1, 2019.
Be in 9^th grade at the time of application.
Have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better on a 4.0 scale.
Live in Cleveland or East Cleveland.
Demonstrate a strong interest in non-clinical areas of health care like law enforcement, administration, information technology, marketing, human resources and building operations.

Returning students must:

Have previously successfully participated in the internship program.
Be a U.S. Citizen, non-citizen national, or legal permanent resident.
Be 16 years of age by June 1, 2019.
Be in 10^th, 11^th or 12^th grade at the time of application.
Have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better on a 4.0 scale.
Live in Cleveland or East Cleveland.
Demonstrate a strong interest in non-clinical areas of health care like law enforcement, administration, information technology, marketing, human resources and building operations.

General Program Information FAQs:

When does the program start and end?

The six consecutive program weeks begin with orientation on Monday, June 17, 2019, and end on Friday, July 26, 2019; Students must also attend the graduation event on August 2, 2019 as part of program completion. There is also a Human Resources Onboarding day. Students offered a position will be advised of that date and time.

What is the time commitment that is required for the program?

Program hours are Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. during the six weeks of the program. The date and time of program orientation will be shared with students upon acceptance into the program.

Is this a paid internship?

Yes. Students will be paid bi-weekly, in accordance with Cleveland Clinic’s pay cycle.

Is lunch provided?

Lunch is not provided. It is the responsibility of the student.

Is transportation provided?

Transportation to and from work is not provided. It is the responsibility of the student. However, if students are required to attend a field trip as part of their work day, Cleveland Clinic may provide transportation to and from the activity. Students and parent(s)/guardian(s) will be notified of such arrangements as appropriate.

Is housing provided?

No. Housing is not provided. Students and parent(s)/guardian(s) are responsible for their own housing and transportation arrangements.

Is time away allowed during the program?

No. Vacations and time off are not permitted during the three week program experience. All vacations must be taken before or after the program start and ends dates. Time off will not be granted for conflicting extracurricular or academic activities (sports/band/cheerleader camp, debates, other competitive events, etc.) Students offered placement are expected to make a commitment to the full program and must consider all of their options and choose mindfully.

What if a student becomes ill?

In the event the student becomes ill, injured, or otherwise impaired, the student shall immediately notify their mentor/co-mentor and the Civic Education Department to assess continuation in the program.

Do the participants have to work on July 4^th?

July 4^th is a recognized holiday at Cleveland Clinic. Students do NOT have to report to work on July 4^th if the holiday falls on a week day. If the holiday falls on a weekend, students will be given time off on either the Friday before or the Monday after the holiday. You will be advised of the appropriate day to use for the holiday, and what action to take.

Is there a dress code/uniform for the program?

All program participants are required to follow the dress code policy. Participants of the program will be furnished a program polo shirt and blazer. Students must also adhere to the Cleveland Clinic Personal Appearance policy. A copy of the policy will be provided upon acceptance into the program. Failure to adhere to the dress code may result in termination from the program.

Does it cost anything to participate in this program?

There is no cost or tuition for students to participate in this program. Personal expenses such as lunch and transportation are the responsibility of the student and their family. Students must also purchase their copy of the Basic Life Support training manual.

Are students permitted to have their cell phones on campus/during off-site activities?

Cell phones must be turned off and stored in the student’s purse or backpack while on any Cleveland Clinic property. The use of cellular phones during sessions and activities is prohibited. Cell phones may only be used outside of Cleveland Clinic buildings or in the cafeterias during a student’s designated lunch/break time. Non-compliance may result in termination from the program.

What if I need to reach my child regarding a family emergency?

Cleveland Clinic will provide students and parent(s)/guardian(s) with available numbers for use should such emergencies occur.

Will my internship experience match my career interest?

Not necessarily; however, we will do our best to match your career interest with a mentor and institution related to your interest.

Eligibility FAQs:

What are the eligibility criteria for the program?

Please see our Eligibility tab for more information. Please remember that applicants who do not all meet ALL eligibility criteria will not be considered.

Do I have to meet the age AND grade eligibility criteria?

Yes. New students must be 15 years of age on or before June 1, 2019, AND you must be in 9^th grade at the time of application. Returning students must be 16 years of age on or before June 1, 2019, AND you must be in 10^th, 11^th or 12^th grade at the time of application. Please remember that applicants who do not all meet ALL eligibility criteria will not be considered.

Do I have to meet the GPA requirement for this program?

Yes. You must have a current cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better on a 4.0 scale. Please remember that applicants who do not all meet ALL eligibility criteria will not be considered.

Do I have to live in Cleveland or East Cleveland?

Yes. You must live in Cleveland or East Cleveland. Please remember that applicants who do not all meet ALL eligibility criteria will not be considered.

What is a non-citizen national?

Non-citizen nationals are persons born in American Samoa, Guam, Saipan certain former citizens of the former Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, and certain children of non-citizen nationals born abroad. Please visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal-considerations/us-citizenship-laws-policies/certificates-of-non-citizen-nationality.html for additional information.

Do I have to prove citizenship prior to the program?

Yes. All students are required to submit a copy of a U.S. passport, U.S. birth certificate or a government issued (example – temporary or permanent driver’s license or photo ID all from Bureau of Motor Vehicles) photo identification document to Cleveland Clinic once accepted into the program.

How can I demonstrate that I have a strong interest in non-clinical areas of health care like law enforcement, administration, information technology, marketing, human resources and building operations?

Applicants can demonstrate their interest in non-clinical areas of health care like law enforcement, administration, information technology, marketing, human resources and building operations.by referencing future career goals on their application, as well as in their cover letter. Participation in related extracurricular activities and other internship programs can also be included in the cover letter and application to demonstrate interest.

Application Process FAQs:

How do I apply?

Please see our Application Process tab for more information.

When does the application open?

For returning students the application opens on Monday, December 3, 2018.
For new students the application opens on Tuesday, January 1, 2019.

What is the application deadline?

Application deadline is 11:59 p.m. on Thursday. January, 31, 2019 for returning students and 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, February 28, 2019 for new students. Late applications are NOT accepted.

You offer more than one internship program during the summer. Can I apply to more than one?

Yes, however, in order to create a meaningful and engaging internship experience, we strongly recommend that you limit your applications to the one program/track that best aligns with your interests and future career goals. Please also research the eligibility criteria for the program(s) you are applying to and make sure that you qualify to participate. Applicants who do not all meet ALL eligibility criteria for the program(s) they are applying to will not be considered.

What documents are required to complete the online application?

All applicants must submit a cover letter (use this template) indicating the track they are applying for. Students must upload their cover letter as part of their online application. We also ask that you include a copy of your current and up-to-date school transcript. While it is not required you may also choose to include a copy of your resume’. Please combine all of the documents you are uploading into one, single PDF file and upload the one PDF file only to your application. Follow the instructions on the Application Tab.

How can I complete a cover letter if I have no previous work experience?

If you haven't had a regular job before, it's fine to include positions like babysitting or pet sitting, and any volunteer experiences you might have and the skills developed in your cover letter. You may also include extracurricular activities, such as sports, band, choir, science fairs, academic clubs, etc. If you had a leadership position in any of these activities (such as captain of a team or secretary of a club), include this title. Your cover letter is also the best place to describe why you have a strong interest in non-clinical areas of health care like law, administration, information technology, marketing, human resources, and building operations.

If I do not have access to the Internet, how can I apply?

The internship program application is web based and not available in paper form. Visit your local library or community center to access the Web or inquire if your school has a computer that you can access before and after school hours. The Clinic-Based programs application process is done completely online.

After Applying FAQs:

When are applications reviewed?

Application review will begin AFTER the application deadline of Thursday, February 28, 2019, and will end in March 2019.

When will I be notified as to whether or not I will receive an interview?

All applicants will be notified via the email provided on their online application of their interview status in March, 2019.

If I am selected for an interview, how soon after that will I be notified as to whether or not I have been accepted into the program?

All applicants that were selected for an interview will be notified via the email provided on their online application of their acceptance status in April, 2019.

If I am accepted into the program, are there additional documents needed prior to participation?

Yes. All applicants who are offered placement in the program will be required to obtain:

A recommendation provided by one teacher
A recommendation provided by their guidance counselor
A valid work permit. Find out more by visiting https://apps.com.ohio.gov/dico/minorworkpermit/
A government-issued photo ID
Social Security Card (for payroll purposes). Find out how to obtain a social security card here: https://www.ssa.gov/
You must provide valid bank checking account and routing number information at time of hire for direct deposit of pay checks
A complete immunization record from their physician

Are there required events or activities that take place as part of the program?

Yes. Students selected to participate in the program are also required to:

The six consecutive program weeks begin with orientation on Monday, June 17, 2019, and end on Friday, July 26, 2019
Students must also attend the graduation event on August 2, 2019 as part of program completion.
There is also a Human Resources Onboarding day. Students offered a position will be advised of that date and time
Complete a pre-program physical including a TB screen, drug screen and cotinine test for tobacco use (all three will be provided by Cleveland Clinic and cannot be performed by an outside source)
Complete identified online training
Complete photo ID badge process

Does the onboarding process for accepted applicants require any time away from school?

Cleveland Clinic will make every effort to schedule onboarding events around school hours whenever possible. Some onboarding events may need to take place during the school day, based on the availability of Cleveland Clinic staff/departments. Students and parent(s)/guardian(s) will be notified about onboarding events that conflict with the school day as early as possible.

New Students:

Application for new students only opens on Tuesday, January 1, 2019.
Application deadline for new students only is 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, February 28, 2019; late applications are NOT accepted

Returning Students:

Application for returning interns only opens on Monday, December 3, 2018.
Application deadline for returning interns only is 11:59 p.m. on Thursday. January, 31, 2019; late applications are NOT accepted.

All Applicants:

Carefully research all internship programs; determine which one you are eligible for, and determine which one best aligns with your research interest and future career goals
Before you start your application please compose your cover letter (use this template). Your cover letter must be uploaded as part of your online application. Your cover letter MUST include:
- Your applicant’s full name, address, telephone number(s), email address, school name, district, grade and current GPA
- Your parent/guardians’ full name, address, telephone number and email address
- Please make sure to indicate that you are applying to the Patient Services Track of the Cleveland Clinic Louis Stokes Internship Program in your cover letter.
- Save your cover letter as a PDF, and be ready to upload it via the online application.
- You also have the option to include your resume, if you have one. Please make sure this document is typed and formatted correctly. It must be submitted in PDF format.
- Including your school transcript as part of your application is also optional. This file must be submitted electronically, so if you only have a paper copy, please scan it and save it as a PDF.
- PLEASE NOTE: The online application has only ONE field that allows uploading of electronic documents. If you are submitting your cover letter, resume, and school transcripts, please make sure to save these files as ONE PDF, or else you’ll run into problems uploading them to the application.
- Once all steps listed above are complete, please fill out the online application
  - Returning Student Application
  - New Student Application
- For more information on what to expect AFTER you have applied, please see our FAQs tab

For general questions about the Applied Medicine, Health Horizons, Laboratory Medicine, Nursing Care, Pharmacy, Public Health, Radiology, Respiratory Care and Translational Medicine Internship Programs, please contact: Nedra Starling at starlin@ccf.org.

Emails will be answered within three business days (Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.) Emails will NOT be returned on Saturdays or Sundays. Thank you for your patience.