Who we are: La Clinica de La Raza is a non-profit, community-based health center established in 1971 to address health barriers and create better lives for the underserved. We have proudly grown into over 35 sites across Alameda, Contra Costa, and Solano County. To learn more about our history, click here: Our History - La Clinica or visit our website at www.laclinica.org.  

Summary:

Are you interested in pursuing a career in healthcare but not sure where to start? La Clínica's job shadowing learning experience is the perfect opportunity for you! You'll have the chance to observe our team in action, ask questions, and learn from our experienced healthcare professionals.

While job shadowing offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience and insight into the day-to-day operations of our organization, it is distinct from clinical rotations required as part of many academic programs and professional certifications. Our job shadowing is designed to provide a broader understanding of our organization's culture, processes, and values, whereas clinical rotations typically focus on specific skills development and training.

 

Job Shadow Participants:

During a job shadowing experience, you’ll have the opportunity to:

• Observe professionals in action, seeing how they utilize software and technology to deliver exceptional results.
• Join meetings with our teams and professionals, gaining insight into our collaborative approach and decision-making processes
• Take a guided tour of our office, getting a behind-the-scenes look at our operations.
• Review relevant project materials and documentation, deepening your understanding of our work.
• Engage in conversations with our team members, learning from their experiences and gaining valuable insights into their career paths.
• Record any questions or ideas that come to mind during your experience, taking away valuable notes and knowledge
• Shadows should not perform tasks that are typically handled by paid staff member, except for brief periods of time as a learning experience.[SG1] [SG2]

 

Time Limitations:

High School students:  A minimum of 3 hours and maximum of 25 hours per semester.

• • Minors under the age of 18 must be enrolled in school

• • All participants must obtain a completed consent form from their Parent or Legal Guardian.
  • All participants must complete an emergency card form.
  • A confidentiality agreement form must be signed by all participants prior to participation.

 

Adults in Programs:  A maximum of 40 hours per semester.

• Provide proof of class requirements including total hours
• All participants must complete an emergency card form.
• A confidentiality agreement form must be signed by all participants prior to participation.

 

Additionally:

• Participants are not permitted to miss school to complete the required job shadowing hours.
• Participants are not permitted to shadow parents/guardians or relatives.
• Transportation to the observation worksite is the responsibility of the parent/legal guardian/participant.
• This agreement must be signed by the participant and their parent/guardian (youth under the age of 18) prior to participation in the job shadowing experience.
• The parent and student acknowledge that they release the job shadowing worksite and La Clínica from any liability for injuries or losses that may occur during the job shadowing experience.

 

Procedures:

Health Clearance Requirements (ALL PARTICIPANTS)

Immunization records: Ensure that each vaccination document includes the patient’s name, date, and location information.

• Flu shot within the current season.
• Hepatitis B
• MMR
• TDAP
• Varicella
• Covid Vaccines (1st and 2nd dose)
• Negative TB test within the last year, or Chest Radiograph within the last two years.

 

Clearance requirements for Volunteers (18 years or older):

• Passing background check, ensuring a match between the name provided on the application, resume, and ID; the ID must not be expired.
• Sign and complete all necessary forms.
• Provide a valid government-issued ID.
• Mask fit test (upon request by the Clinic Manager)

 

Clearance requirements for Minors

• Signed consent form by parent/guardian (no background check required)
• A valid school ID
• Mask fit test (upon request by the Clinic Manager)

 

Dress Code and Personal Appearance:

As a La Clínica shadow, you are expected to present yourself in a professional and respectful manner. Please consult with your supervisor to determine the appropriate attire for your specific job shadowing duties. The following guidelines should be followed:

• Maintain good personal hygiene, including clean hands, fingernails, hair, brushed teeth.
• For safety reasons, open-toe shoes are not allowed to be worn in clinical areas.
• Refrain from wearing clothing that may be deemed offensive or inappropriate, such as:
  • Shorts
  • Tank tops or halter tops
  • See-through or revealing clothing
  • Spandex or skin-tight pants
  • High heels (higher than 2-inches) or flip-flop sandals
  • Clothing in disrepair

 

Confidentiality:

As a Shadow, you may have access to confidential information regarding La Clínica’s employees, volunteers, or customers.  This includes sensitive information such as names, phone numbers, addresses, dates of birth, health status, and employee personnel files. This information is considered Protected Health Information (PHI) and must be treated with utmost care.

To ensure the confidentiality and security of this information, please follow these guidelines:

• Discuss confidential matters only in private settings and only when necessary.
• Never share passwords or access codes under any circumstances.
• Always log off your computer when you step away or finish using it.
• Dispose of paper documents containing confidential or Protected Health Information in designated shredding bins, not regular trash cans.
• File documents in their designated place when you are done with them.
• Keep confidential or sensitive information locked away when not in use.
• Do not take-home documents containing personal health information.
• Exercise caution when sending emails or leaving voicemails; avoid sharing confidential information.

If you are unsure of your obligations under this policy, please consult with your supervisor. Failure to comply with this policy may result in dismissal and potential civil penalties.

 

Equipment and Electronic Media:

• Shadows may use phones and or e-mail only on a limited basis for personal matters so as not to interfere with work performance.

 

Child Abuse/Neglect or Elder Abuse Reporting:

• If you suspect a child or senior being served by La Clinica is experiencing physical or mental health abuse or neglect, report it immediately to your supervisor.
• All records related to reporting suspected abuse or neglect are confidential.

 

Safety and Security:

At La Clínica, we prioritize the safety and well-being of our shadows and patients. To ensure a safe and healthy work environment, we expect all shadows to follow these essential safety guidelines:

• Report any safety concerns: If you notice any condition or practice that you believe is unsafe, inform your supervisor immediately.
• Follow posted safety rules and instructions: Familiarize yourself with all safety protocols and procedures to ensure a safe working environment.
• Emergency preparedness: Familiarize yourself with fire exit locations, fire extinguishers, and emergency evacuation procedures.
• Promptly report accidents and injuries: Notify your supervisor of any accidents or injuries and seek first aid assistance as needed.
• Ergonomic guidelines: Follow guidelines for chair and computer use to prevent strain and injury.
• Safe parking practices: Adhere to parking and speed regulations when entering or leaving the parking lot Remember, your safety is our top priority.

If you're unsure about any aspect of your shadow experience, don't hesitate to ask your supervisor for guidance.