Harborview Observation Privileges
Observation privileges are available to visiting medical personnel who wish to observe medical staff at Harborview Medical Center in clinical or research settings. These privileges do not permit participation in patient care or any hands-on medical training, and no compensation will be provided.
It is the observer’s responsibility to identify a medical staff host to sponsor the observer and assume full responsibility for the observer’s activities while on campus. The observer, or their sponsoring provider or department, is responsible for arranging any necessary visas, travel, and accommodations.
Please review the FAQs before submitting your application:
Who is eligible to observe at Harborview Medical Center?
- Medical professional (e.g. physician, ARNP, PA, Nurse, Medic) seeking additional experience.
- Medical professional (e.g. physician, ARNP, PA, Nurse, Medic) looking to observe at the invitation of a Harborview medical staff for the purpose of mutual sharing of clinical, teaching, and/or research.
- Commercial vendor participating in the development or conduct of collaborative research or to provide specific training with a HMC Medical Staff member.
- Premedical students who are 18 years or older (limited to a maximum of 3 days per calendar year).
Which groups are ineligible to observe?
- Students under 18 years of age, due to issues related to patient privacy, supervision, and HIPAA. Minors seeking to gain experience or in shadowing are encouraged to work with Harborview Volunteer Services.
- Resident/Fellow interviewees or prospective Residents/Fellows.
What is the application process?
- Applicants are responsible for identifying an attending-level physician or Advanced Practice Provider (APP) who is willing to host them at Harborview.
- Once an attending or APP has agreed to have you observe, please ask them to put you in touch with their Departmental Program Coordinator, who will help facilitate your observation application.
- If the department does not have a Program Coordinator or designee to help with observation applications, please submit your application with the link below.
Can I observe in the OR?
- OR observation is available for current medical students, visiting physicians, and researchers only.
- Please include an exception request letter from the hosting physician or APP regarding why it's essential the observation take place in the OR.
What documents do I need to gather prior to submitting my application online?
- Electronic copy of a federal or state issued photo ID, such as passport or driver's license.
- Electronic copy of vaccination record:
- Two doses of MMR vaccination or positive titers.
- Two doses of varicella (chickenpox) vaccination or positive titer.
- Tdap vaccination within the last ten years of the request observation dates.
- Current season of influenza vaccine if the requested dates fall between October 1 and March 31.
- An exception request letter from the host physician or APP for:
- Observation happens in the OR.
- Observation longer than 30 days (or longer 3 days for premedical students).
How long does it take for my application to be reviewed?
- Applicants should submit their completed applications at least 3 weeks in advance of their anticipated first date of observation.
- Incomplete applications cannot be considered. Please ensure you review your application for completion prior to submitting it. If an incomplete application is submitted, you will need to resubmit a new application once you have all required materials.
How do I know when my observation has been approved?
- An approval email will be sent to you, the supervising physician/APP, and the Department Program Coordinator (if applicable), with directions on how to obtain your temporary badge.
- Your application must be approved by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer prior to beginning observation.
Do I have to obtain a temporary Observer badge if I am a UW employee or UW SOM student?
- Yes, all observers need to obtain a temporary Observer badge through the Harborview Parking/Commuter Services Office prior to beginning observation.
- Badges must be returned to the Parking/Commuter Services Office or the Department at the end of your observation.
What should I do if the dates of my observation changed after my approval?
- Please notify the Office of the Chief Medical Officer via email (hmc-cmo@uw.edu) as soon as possible.
- If alternate dates are requested, provide the updated dates and confirmation from the hosting physician or APP before they occur.