Shadow Program
*ATTN: The Shadow Visitor request form will be down for System Maintenance starting on October 1st, 2026. We will continue to process all shadow requests submitted prior to this date. - Staff
Please be advised that the Office of Volunteer Services does not facilitate shadow placements. If interested in shadowing, please reach out to the respective hospital departments directly to arrange a shadowing experience. (Our program is an observation opportunity, and we do not take requests for clinicals/internships)
- You do not need to register or apply as a volunteer to shadow. All information on how to proceed is located on this page.
- Rehabilitation Services Shadowing:
Click here
for more information.
- For shadow requests or questions related to UNC residents, please contact the Office of Graduate Medical Education (GME).
- Shadowing locations that can be approved by our office: UNC Medical Center - Chapel Hill, UNC Hillsborough Campus and UNC Health Clinics in Chapel Hill & Hillsborough. (UNC Affiliated Hospitals or UNC Health Clinics in other areas will not be processed by our office. They have a different system or process; please contact them directly. For example: UNC REX, UNC Heath Johnston or UNC Health Wayne, etc.)
- Please do not email shadowing requirements without a shadowing request already submitted by the preceptor.
Requirements:
- Preceptors must complete a Shadow Request Form at least one week (Monday-Friday) prior to the requested shadow date.
- Requests made less than a week in advance will not be processed.
- Shadow visitors must send completed and correct requirements listed below at least three business (M-F) days before shadow date.
- Anything sent in after 5:00 pm is considered the next business day.
- Can shadow up to 8 days total per calendar year (see
shadowing polices
for details).
- Must be 18 years of age or older.
- Business casual attire required, no scrubs or lab coats.
- All documents must be in English or translated by a Certified Medical Translator. Anything else is not considered official medical documentation.
- Shadow Visitor may not be a family member or relative of Preceptor.
Shadow Visitor Responsibilities and Requirements
- Read the
Shadow Visitor Policies
- Identify a preceptor and have them complete the steps in the "Preceptor Responsibilities" section below.
Once the preceptor submits a shadow visitor request, the shadow visitor will receive an automated email regarding next steps. Shadow visitors can begin completing these steps prior to a request being submitted but do not send them to Volunteer Services until after you have received the Shadow Request Conformation email. (The preceptor must submit the shadow visitor request form not the shadow visitor)
| Do I need to complete the requirements? |
| Yes |
No |
- Prospective Employee at UNC Hospitals (has interviewed and being considered for an offer) - Compliance Modules Only
- UNC School of Medicine and UNC School of Nursing Employees/Students
- Student/Community Member
- Certified Clinicians
- International Clinicians/Students
|
- Current Volunteer (actively volunteering)
- UNC Health Employee (has a UNC Health email)
**Must email shadowing program after a request is submitted so the request can be processed. |
SHADOW VISITOR CATEGORIES - Please review to identify which type of visitor you will be.
A. Employees of an Accredited Healthcare Entity
Only for Employees of an Accredited Healthcare Entity
Please complete the required
Attestation
. Once you have the confirmation email then you can send us a separate email at shadowingprogram@unchealth.unc.edu to confirm the shadowing request this email will be used to process shadow badge for pick up. Note: Before submitting the completed survey, click the three dots in the top right corner, select Print, then from the printer option, select "Microsoft Print to PDF". When you click on Print, it will allow you to save it. You can then attach the PDF to the email when it's time to send all of your documents. Be sure to go back and submit the completed form after you save it.
- Include your name, preceptor's name and date(s) you will be shadowing.
- Email the completed attestation to shadowingprogram@unchealth.unc.edu at least 7 days in advance.
B. UNC Health Employees & UNC Health Volunteers
UNC Health Employees (have UNC Health email: yourname@unchealth.unc.edu) & UNC Health Volunteers (actively volunteering) and must email us at shadowingprogram@unchealth.unc.edu directly so we can process the request accordingly. Confirm your UNC Health email and Volunteers confirm you are actively volunteering.
C. In state (NC)/Out of State Shadow Visitors
*Shadow Visitor lives in North Carolina or is coming from another state in USA.
Complete the Compliance Training Modules:
UNC Health Compliance Modules
Note: Before submitting the completed survey, click the three dots in the top right corner, select Print, then from the printer option, select "Microsoft Print to PDF". When you click on Print, it will allow you to save it. You can then attach the PDF to the email when it's time to send all of your documents. Be sure to go back and submit the completed form after you save it.
- The email must have a copy of the completed attestation.
- Submit attestation/influenza documents at least 7 days in advance.
D. International (Foreign/National) Clinicians/Students
Must submit both Immunizations/TB testing and Compliance Modules *Note: Before submitting the completed survey, click the three dots in the top right corner, select Print, then from the printer option, select "Microsoft Print to PDF". When you click on Print, it will allow you to save it. You can then attach the PDF to the email when it's time to send all of your documents. Be sure to go back and submit the completed form after you save it.
Immunizations and Testing Requirements
as well as the
UNC Health Compliance Modules
- A healthcare provider can complete the Shadow Visitor Immunization Verification form. Alternatively, the immunization checklist can be utilized to gather immunization records. Both resources can be found?
HERE
.
- The Shadow Visitor Immunization form cannot be completed by a relative.
- All records must be in English or translated by a certified medical translator.
- Must have a TB Testing - Complete either two separate TB skin tests (typically takes about 2 weeks and involves 4 separate visits) or one blood test (may take up to 5 days and require 1 visit). For detailed instructions, please refer to the?
TB Testing Instructional Video
.
TB Skin Test Timeline:
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|
Visit 2, Day 3
(or 48-72 hours after 1st test placed)
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|
|
Visit 4, Day 12
(or 48-72 hours after 2nd test placed)
|
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After receiving the automated confirmation email, submit all required documentation to shadowing program email (refer to the email for specific instructions). Volunteer Services will email the shadow visitor if corrections are required. All requirements must be met to obtain a badge.
The shadow visitor and preceptor will be notified by email once the badge is available for pickup. UNC Health Employees and Volunteers must pick up a shadow badge; regular badges cannot be worn during shadowing.
Preceptor Responsibilities
Complete a Shadow Request Form at LEAST ONE WEEK (Monday-Friday) prior to the requested shadow date. Requests must be submitted by the Preceptor; Shadow Visitors themselves are not permitted to complete the form.
*ATTN: The Shadow Visitor request form link will be removed for System Maintenance starting on October 1st, 2026. We will continue to process all shadow requests submitted prior to this date. - Staff
- Read the
Shadow Visitor Policies
.
- (The form is unavailable) (Attn: Only the preceptor may submit the shadowing request, and the shadow visitor should not submit their own request)
- Requests made less than a week in advance will not be processed.
- Please be advised requests can take up to 5 days for review by our office. (We ask that Shadow Visitors submit their requirements at least 7 days in advance)
- The shadow visitor will receive an email containing next steps.
- If the shadow visitor does not receive confirmation email after 24 hours reach out to our office.
- The preceptor and shadow visitor will be notified by email once the badge is available for pickup.
Shadow Badge Pickup
Please wait for an email confirmation from Volunteer Services before picking up your badge. It can be collected by the shadow visitor or the designated department representative.
Shadow badges should be available for pickup in about 3 business days after all required documentation has been received, verified, and processed through Volunteer Services.
Hours: Monday – Friday *Closed on Weekends & Holidays
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- OFFICE CLOSED during the time of 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
- 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: The Office of Volunteer Services is located on the ground floor of the Memorial Hospital. Enter UNC Medical Center - Chapel Hill (101 Manning Drive) via the Surgical Hospital, you will go through the metal detectors. Once inside walk straight ahead in the lobby you will see the Cranberry Corner Gift Shop then turn left and you will see a retail pharmacy. At the pharmacy make a right and walk straight down the hallway. You will see a sign on the ceiling for the elevators then you will turn right. Walk past the elevators and turn left then follow this hallway until about halfway down. Across from the bulletin boards on the right-hand side is where our office is located. You will see a brown door with a Volunteer Services sign next to it. You don't have to knock, just come in! If you get to the Corner Cafe, you have walked too far.
