Summer Student Internships

Our summer student internships are a great opportunity for university students to gain experience working on improvement projects in health care, while providing extra capacity to the teams leading those changes.  These Health Quality BC funded interns are embedded in health care organizations across BC.

Help Shape the Future of Health Care Quality Improvement

Whether you’re a student seeking hands-on experience or a project lead ready to submit a proposal, the Summer Student Internship Program offers opportunities to learn, contribute, and make a difference.

Learn More (Students) Submit a Proposal (Project Leads)
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Student Information

The Summer Student Internship Program is a great opportunity to work with a multidisciplinary team on a health care quality improvement project, gain real-world experience and learn new skills.

Over four months (May–August), you’ll contribute to real-world QI projects that make a difference in healthcare organizations across British Columbia.

What You’ll Gain

  • Hands-on experience in quality improvement projects within BC’s healthcare system.
  • Participate in HQBC’s Education Series
  • Networking opportunities with healthcare professionals and future QI leaders.

We welcome all current post-secondary students to apply, including those that will complete their program in April or during the student internship (May – August). You must live in British Columbia for the duration of the internship. Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know when applications open in February 2025!

The student internships are up to 450 hours of paid work and typically run from May to August each year. They start with an online education series on the fundamentals of improving quality in health care to set you up for success during the summer.

You will report directly to a supervisor on the project team and determine with them the details of your internship (e.g., work hours, tasks, learning objectives). The HQBC Learning Team staff will be here to support you with onboarding and mentoring throughout the internship.

Below is an approximate timeline of the Summer Student Internship Process. 

Student applications openFebruary
Student internship interviewsMarch
Job offersApril
Internship periodMay – August

Attention Students

Be the first to know—sign up for our newsletter to get updates on applications opening in February 2025!

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Questions? Reach out to us at learning@healthqualityb.ca.

Project Lead Information

Each year we partner with organizations across the province to support projects that are improving the health care system with a fully funded intern. The Summer Student Internship Program is a great opportunity to move forward work on your project and to help build the capacity of future quality improvement leaders! Any team from a publicly funded health care organization in British Columbia can apply. 

Why Host an Intern?

  • Additional Capacity: Interns can dedicate up to 450 hours to your QI project, helping to alleviate resource gaps.
  • Fresh Perspectives: Students bring innovative ideas and new approaches to quality improvement.
  • Lasting Impact: Interns work on meaningful deliverables that drive project success and support long-term QI goals.
  • Fully-funded: HQBC will fund up to 450 hours of student work from May to August.

Proposals are evaluated against criteria which include having a clearly defined role for the student intern, providing a meaningful learning experience about quality improvement and making an impact on the health care system or patient care.

We will support you to prepare a job description and short-list applicants for the position. You will collaborate with us to conduct interviews and select the successful candidate.

HQBC will provide funding for the student intern for up to 450 hours of work and liaise with payroll. Throughout the internship we will be available to answer your questions and mentor the student intern.

The internship typically runs from May to August. The student intern will report directly to a supervisor on your project team. It will be your responsibility to determine with the student intern their work hours, location and learning objectives.

At the start of the internship we run an education series for the student interns covering the fundamentals of quality improvement to help set them up for success with the project.

Expectations:

  • Provide a meaningful role for the intern with clear learning objectives.
  • Participate in the hiring process, including interviewing shortlisted candidates.
  • Offer supervision and mentorship to guide the intern’s development.
  • Collaborate with HQBC to ensure a successful internship experience.

Below is an approximate timeline of the Summer Student Internship Process. Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know when the call for project proposals open!

Call for project proposals openDecember
Projects selectedEarly-February
Student applications openLate-February
Student internship interviewsMarch
Internship periodMay – August
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Get Ready to Submit Your Proposal!

Use our Preparation Guide to see all the questions in advance and plan your responses before filling out the online form. Taking a few minutes to prepare ensures your submission process is smooth and efficient.

Once ready, complete and submit your proposal through the Online Form.

Submit Your Project Proposal

Submit your project proposal by January 31, 2025 for a chance to receive support in advancing your health care improvement initiative with a fully funded intern.

Submit Your Project Proposal

Questions? Reach out to us at learning@healthqualityb.ca.