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As a CALRegional student, completing an externship can open up many valuable opportunities to gain real-world experience and develop relevant skills in your field. We’ve compiled some of our most frequently asked questions about externships at CALRegional. Read on to explore the answers and get clarity on how the process will go.
1. Is the externship guaranteed?
Yes, CALRegional will place you at an externship site so long as you:
- Successfully complete the classroom portion of the program
- Meet the financial obligations according to your enrollment and payment plan agreements
- Complete the required prerequisites
Following enrollment, students will receive the Student Handbook detailing important information regarding externship prerequisites.
*Note, not all of CALRegional programs require externships, such as the EKG Technician Program, Billing & Coding Specialist Program, and the Texas Phlebotomy Technician Program.
2. Do you have to find your own site?
No! CALRegional takes the hassle out of finding your own externship site. Beware of programs that do not guarantee externships, as it can result in a delay or not obtaining state licensure.
3. Who hires our students for externships?
CALRegional partners with more than 1500 sites, including leading healthcare facilities such as Kaiser, Sutter Health, Quest Diagnostics, and LabCorp.
Students work in various settings, including private doctor offices, clinics, or hospitals, depending on the site’s availability when it comes time for a student to complete their externship.
4. Do you have a list of the externship sites available?
No, our active sites constantly change as we add more to our portfolio, and some temporarily pause. CALRegional will place you at a site based on their availability and proximity.
5. When do you get placed at an externship site?
Students will be placed within 60 days of the last day of class so long as they:
- Successfully complete the classroom portion of the program
- Meet the financial obligations according to your enrollment and payment plan agreements
- Complete the required prerequisites
Following enrollment, students will receive the Student Handbook detailing important information regarding externship prerequisites.
6. How long is it?
Length varies by program.
- 4 weeks for the Medical Assistant Program
- 3 weeks for the Pharmacy Technician Program
- 24 hours for the EMT Program
- The externship is built in for the Phlebotomy Technician Program in California; therefore, the length will vary
7. Is it paid?
No, externships, similar to internships, are unpaid.
8. Can the externships work around your schedule?
No, students must be available full-time during regular business hours Monday-Friday.
9. Can you get hired at an externship site?
Absolutely! Many sites host externs, in part, to find qualified candidates to hire. Therefore, it can sometimes lead to employment at the externship location.
10. Where are the externship sites located?
CALRegional partners with medical facilities near our partner schools. Thus a student will be placed at a site within a 60-mile radius of their location.
Boost Your Career with a CALRegional Externship
Above, we outlined some of the more common questions about externships at CALRegional. We hope that by demystifying the process through these answers, we’ve given you an idea of how your CALRegional journey will go.
The externships at CALRegional allow you to gain valuable real-world insight, acquire new skills, or network with professionals within your field. It’s also your chance to gain an edge in your career prospects. Hear from a CALRegional’s student externship experience here.
Have a question that wasn’t listed above? Schedule a 15-minute consultation with an Admission Specialist today.
