Unpaid Pre-Health Clinical Internship

About Genesis Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

Genesis Orthopedics & Sports Medicine is a leading orthopedic and sports medicine practice in the Chicagoland area, dedicated to providing comprehensive musculoskeletal care. Our clinical team includes board-certified orthopedic surgeons, sports medicine physicians, physician assistants, physical therapists, and athletic trainers working collaboratively to deliver exceptional patient outcomes.

Internship Overview

Genesis Orthopedics & Sports Medicine is seeking motivated pre-health students and recent graduates for our Unpaid Pre-Health Clinical Internship. This educational opportunity is designed for individuals pursuing careers in medicine, physician assistant studies, nursing, physical therapy, or other allied health fields who wish to gain meaningful, hands-on clinical exposure in a fast-paced orthopedic setting.

This is an unpaid, educational internship. Interns will not provide independent patient care but will observe, shadow, and assist clinical staff under direct supervision, gaining invaluable exposure to the day-to-day operations of an orthopedic and sports medicine practice.

Clinical Scribing & Documentation

A core component of this internship is medical scribing. Interns will be trained to accurately document patient encounters in real time under physician supervision, including:

• Documenting patient histories, chief complaints, and review of systems

• Recording physical examination findings as dictated by the provider

• Transcribing assessment and plan details, including diagnoses and treatment orders

• Learning medical terminology specific to orthopedics and sports medicine

• Navigating electronic health record (EHR) systems

Learning & Shadowing Opportunities

• Shadow orthopedic surgeons, sports medicine physicians, and physician assistants during patient encounters

• Observe surgical procedures including arthroscopy, joint replacement, fracture repair, and soft tissue reconstruction

• Attend clinical rounds and case discussions

• Learn patient intake workflows: rooming patients, collecting medical histories, and vital signs

• Gain exposure to diagnostic imaging interpretation (X-ray, MRI)

• Understand referral pathways, insurance authorization, and care coordination processes

Exposure to Clinical Operations

Interns will gain a broad understanding of how an orthopedic practice operates, including:

• Front desk operations, patient scheduling, and check-in/check-out workflows

• Medical billing and coding fundamentals

• Prior authorization and insurance verification processes

• Inventory management for medical supplies and DME (durable medical equipment)

• Quality assurance and patient safety protocols

• HIPAA compliance and patient confidentiality standards

• Physical therapy and rehabilitation observation

Requirements

Qualifications

• Current pre-health undergraduate student, recent graduate, or gap-year student pursuing a career in healthcare (medicine, PA, nursing, PT, or allied health)

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 preferred

• Strong interest in orthopedics, sports medicine, or musculoskeletal health

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Detail-oriented with the ability to multitask in a fast-paced clinical environment

• Professional demeanor and strong work ethic

• Ability to maintain strict patient confidentiality (HIPAA compliance required)

• Ability to reliably travel to clinic locations across the Chicagoland area as needed

• CPR/BLS certification preferred but not required

Benefits

What You’ll Gain

• Direct clinical experience in a high-volume orthopedic and sports medicine practice

• Medical scribing skills highly valued by medical, PA, and nursing programs

• Mentorship from experienced physicians, PAs, and clinical staff

• Observation of surgical procedures and advanced diagnostic techniques

• Understanding of the full patient care continuum—from initial consultation through post-operative rehabilitation

• A strong letter of recommendation upon successful completion (based on performance)

• Clinical hours applicable to professional school applications

This is an unpaid educational internship. Interns are not employees of Genesis Orthopedics & Sports Medicine and will not receive wages, salary, or benefits. All interns are required to sign a HIPAA Confidentiality Acknowledgment and an Unpaid Internship Acknowledgment prior to beginning the program. Genesis Orthopedics & Sports Medicine is an equal opportunity provider.