Pre-Med Gap Year Internship 2026-2027

Northwestern Memorial Healthcare•Chicago, IL

6d•$22 - $22•Onsite

About The Position

The Gap Year Intern reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards. The Pre-Med Gap Year Intern offers a valuable one-year opportunity for Pre-Med Gap Year students to become immersed in the healthcare environment through clinical support work, research, and educational seminars. This program pairs participants with a clinical department to support a defined clinic role and focus on a clinically oriented research project, while participating in relevant meetings and lectures with the goal of preparation for medical school. This opportunity allows Pre-Med Gap Year students to develop a working knowledge of operations in a complex academic medical center, participate in enrichment activities and create a professional network with students, clinical and administrative staff, leadership, and physicians. Gap Year internship opportunities extend across the NM system. Once an application has been submitted, candidates can expect a follow up request to indicate their position-specific preferences (location, role, hours, specific job requirements such as travel or attire, etc.) by providing a rank-ordered form. Clinical support roles offered include scribes, clinic assistants, immediate care assistants, patient liaisons, and technicians. Research varies by department, but some examples include quality improvement initiatives, patient enrollment in clinical studies, analytics, data collection, etc. Gap Years provide 32 hours of weekly clinical support and 8 hours of dedicated research time.

Requirements

Recent graduate of a Bachelor’s program
Minimum 3.4 GPA (exceptions made on a case-by-case basis)
Completion of relevant coursework (or efforts toward completion underway)
Demonstrates intent to apply to medical school

Responsibilities

Support department by fulfilling an assigned clinical/patient support role (see appendix outlining approved positions)
Conduct a clinically oriented research project determined by department and overseen by the Program Manager in conjunction with the project sponsor
Participate in all Pre-Med Gap Year Intern Program mandatory meetings, training and events
Participate in all clinic orientation activities and meetings to ensure proper training and safe delivery of care. This may include competency testing, skills observation and additional training, if necessary
Participate in faculty-led lectures
Support the Pre-Med Internship Process by participating in the selection committee
Students must participate for one year in duration (unless specified otherwise due to med school acceptance)
Present on research findings
Participate in a plan to successfully transition work at the direction of clinic and program leadership
Refer to appendices for specific duties, responsibilities and tasks related to the assigned Pre-Med Gap Year Intern position