Are you a college student, recent graduate, or ambitious high school senior eager to delve into the world of healthcare? The Rusk Health Career Opportunity Program, offered by NYU Langone Health’s renowned Rusk Rehabilitation, presents an unparalleled opportunity to explore diverse health professions. This comprehensive, free program is designed to provide you with valuable hands-on, observational clinical experience, setting you on the path to a fulfilling health career.
Discover the Rusk Health Career Opportunity Program at NYU Langone Health
The Rusk Health Career Opportunity Program (HCOP) is your gateway to understanding various facets of healthcare. Specifically crafted for individuals with limited clinical exposure, this program opens doors to a wide spectrum of health disciplines. Across three intensive four-week internship sessions, participants gain firsthand insights and practical observational experience in multiple healthcare settings.
Founded by the visionary Dr. Howard A. Rusk, a pioneer in rehabilitation medicine, and generously supported by the DeWitt Wallace Foundation, the program boasts a rich 55-year history of nurturing future healthcare professionals. Over 6,000 students have successfully graduated from this esteemed program, embarking on successful health careers.
Immersive Internship Training and Detailed Schedule
As a participant in the Rusk Health Career Opportunity Program, you’ll be fully immersed in a chosen specialty for a complete four-week session. Your commitment is voluntary, and while the program is unpaid, the experiential rewards are invaluable.
Internship placements span across prestigious NYU Langone Health facilities, including Tisch Hospital, NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn, NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital, NYU Langone Orthopedic Center, NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, and NYU Langone Ambulatory Care Center East 38th Street. All group activities are centrally located at Tisch Hospital, fostering a collaborative learning environment.
Your journey begins with a comprehensive orientation on the first day of each session, providing a detailed program overview. You’ll receive essential information regarding your responsibilities as an NYU Langone Health intern, dress code guidelines, HIPAA regulations, fire safety protocols, and the hospital’s code of conduct, ensuring a safe and professional experience.
During orientation, you will also be provided with a program jacket and a photo ID badge, and potentially scrubs or a lab coat depending on your specialty. It is important to note that all issued apparel and your ID badge must be returned at the conclusion of your session.
A typical day in the rusk health career opportunity program starts between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM, with some departments requiring earlier arrival, and concludes around 4:00 PM. The majority of your time will be spent observing healthcare professionals in action, gaining a deep understanding of their roles within your assigned specialty. Each day at 3:00 PM, you’ll join fellow interns for enriching one-hour sessions. These sessions include lectures on diverse areas of rehabilitation medicine and various health professions, specialized seminars conducted by Princeton Review, and engaging Q&A panels featuring experienced healthcare professionals. Furthermore, weekly conferences are held, inviting interns to participate in discussions centered on medical ethics and the challenges faced by individuals with mobility impairments, promoting critical thinking and ethical awareness.
2025 Internship Session Dates and Specialty Focus
Mark your calendars for the 2025 Rusk Health Career Opportunity Program internship sessions:
- Session One: Monday, May 19–Friday, June 13, 2025
- Session Two: Monday, June 16–Friday, July 11, 2025
- Session Three: Monday, July 14–Friday, August 8, 2025
- Research Focused Sessions (Sessions One and Two): Monday, May 19–Friday, July 11, 2025
- Research and Emergency Medicine Sessions (Sessions Two and Three): Monday, June 16–Friday, August 8, 2025
Successful completion of each session requires passing a final exam. This exam assesses your understanding of the material covered in group meetings, lectures, and discussions throughout the program. Upon passing, you will receive a personalized, signed certificate acknowledging your completion of at least 140 hours of observation and instruction at NYU Langone Health, a valuable addition to your resume and future applications.
Moreover, depending on your academic institution’s policies, participation in the rusk health career opportunity program may qualify for school credit. We encourage you to consult with your school administrator to explore this possibility.
Summer Housing for Interns
For interns requiring summer accommodation, the program facilitates access to Summer Housing at NYU. Information on the application process is readily available for all three internship sessions. Typically, a dedicated floor in an NYU dormitory is reserved for program interns. Applying for housing promptly after acceptance into the rusk health career opportunity program is highly recommended. Early application increases your chances of securing a spot and potentially being housed with fellow HCOP interns, fostering a supportive peer community.
Connect With Us
Do you have further inquiries about the rusk health career opportunity program? Please do not hesitate to reach out to us via email at [email protected]. We are here to assist you in taking the first step towards your rewarding health career.
