Health Sciences

Explore the many exciting career opportunities available at our Adult Day Health Centers where we serve a variety of people age 18 and older!  Our social workers assist with care plans, funding, and problem solving every day community needs.  Nurses monitor medications, work with community physicians, and complete health assessments.  Patient Care Assistants do many of the same tasks as a CNA such as safety awareness/fall prevention, bathing, activities, and meal assistance.  Program and activity specialists and our habilitation staff engage our participants in programming, outings, special events, and individualized programming that helps them meet their goals. Our dining staff make sure we are following special diets and honor personal choice. We would love to have you join us and show you not only what it takes to do their work day to day, but how roles interact to meet the needs of our participants!

Here is your opportunity to learn everything you need to know about a variety of athletic careers!  You will have the opportunity to visit with an athletic director, athletic trainer, and a couple of coaches. You will learn what the daily tasks are in their jobs along with the education required. You may also have the opportunity to observe a basketball practice to see some of these individuals in action!  Held early December 2025.

Would you like to be involved in sports and athletics with high level athletes in a college atmosphere on a daily basis? If you love to compete and be around competitive individuals striving to be the best version of themselves, then please join us at Mount Mercy University to explore career paths as an athletic trainer, athletic director, sports information director, and college coach.

Join faculty, staff, and students to explore careers focused on child development.  Through engaging, hand-on activities, you’ll see how professionals support children’s growth- emotionally, physically and socially - and learn how these careers make a difference in young lives every day.

Learn about a career in dentistry with the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. You will hear what the admissions process looks like as well as the various careers you can have if you’d like to work with patients and their teeth. Held February 2026.

Learn about careers in dietetics from dieticians and nutritionists. Learn about the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine Masters in Clinical Nutrition program and day-to-day life as a dietician. Engage in the differing care options a dietician considers for patients in different stages of life- from infant to teen to seniors.  Learn about the different types of patients that can benefit from dietetics care and why it is important for health outcomes!

Learn about a career in healthcare that is outside the four walls of a hospital. A career in EMS as an EMT or Paramedic is a rewarding profession. Receive an inside look at this potential profession from current ground and flight EMS providers, along with getting hands-on experience with life-saving skills such as airway management, bleeding control, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR. Held Fall 2025 and Spring 2026.

Learn about careers in Emergency Medicine and interact with emergency services including AirCare medical transport and ambulance. Participate in simulated medical procedures that EMTs and paramedics experience daily!  Learn how to become an EMT or a paramedic and get your questions answered by our team.

The Cedar Rapids Fire Department is a dynamic and diverse organization that provides an outstanding opportunity for those interested in a public service career. If you’d like to learn about the skills and education it takes to be a firefighter/paramedic, then this is the event for you!  Individuals in these careers will give you all the details regarding what they do, plus provide some training exercises to show you first-hand what it feels like to be in this career field. Held in January or February 2026. Cap of 25.

Explore the dynamic field of genetics.  Students will explore the career path of genetic counseling and visit a genetics research or genetic testing lab.  Learn the technologies and methods driving modern genomic science through hands-on activities.

Join us for an exciting opportunity to explore how WesleyLife is transforming the aging experience at Halcyon House! WesleyLife, a leader in health and well-being for adults 55+, offers rewarding career paths for those passionate about serving older adults, including nursing, certified nursing assistants, and well-being roles. During the event, you'll tour Halcyon House, get a behind-the-scenes look at the different levels of living, and see our dedicated team members in action. You'll witness firsthand how our team provides care and engages residents in meaningful activities to enhance their well-being and pursue joy. Afterward, you'll participate in a hands-on activity with our team and residents, followed by lunch! This is a great opportunity to see how careers in healthcare can make a real impact in people’s lives. Cap of 20.

In this job shadow experience, we will talk about various health care careers such as Nursing, CNA, Radiology, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, EMT and the paths to get there. We will also allow students an on-site virtual reality and immersive learning experience. This may include time with our high fidelity simulators and other hands-on learning tools. Held October 7th, 2025 from 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Cap of 20.

Time counts when a patient arrives at the Emergency Department! Find out through a mock scenario how careers in nursing, radiology technology, respiratory therapy, and physician assistants work together to provide care for an Emergency Department patient. You will learn from our providers about why our mock patient is having trouble breathing and how they will be cared for.  A tour of the hospital will provide information on the wide range of services available to our community.  Cap of 15.

Experience Medical School at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine for a day! Learn physical exam skills and how to accurately take vitals. You’ll also run through patient cases, take a tour of the medical school, and discuss current trends in health care including needs in family medicine and rural healthcare. Plus, interact with current medical students for a Q & A on all things medical and the medical school application process.

Come explore the world of laboratory medicine with phlebotomists, laboratory assistants, medical technicians, and pathologists! The laboratory team will share testimonials on how they got into the field. You will also learn about the education requirements and advancement opportunities within laboratory medicine. You will receive a brief tour of the laboratory and then you will be paired up one-on-one with a laboratory team member. During the job shadow, you will have an opportunity to observe laboratory professionals in Specimen Collection and Processing, Transfusion Medicine, Chemistry, Hematology, and Microbiology. If you are interested in the medical field but you aren’t sure you want to work in direct patient care, then this event may be for you! Cap of 20.

This interactive, hands-on session will allow students to experience firsthand the field of medical laboratory science and how each area of the laboratory works together. You will learn about the career pathways for medical laboratory technicians, medical laboratory scientists, and other laboratory science-related careers from knowledgeable faculty and staff, as well as students currently in those programs. You will also have an opportunity to hear from professional experts currently working in various laboratories. They will share personal observations, stories, responses to your questions about Kirkwood’s program, and the field of medical laboratory science in general. Held February 2026.

Explore the world of mental health care. Curious about careers that support mental wellness? Get a closer look at what psychologists, psychiatrists, and therapists really do and how their roles differ. Through interactive sessions and hand-on activities, you'll also step into the world of mental health research and discover how science shapes care.

Learn about what qualities are important for therapists to have, possible environments you may work in, duties and responsibilities you will have as a therapist, and the difference between mental health counselors and social workers.

Interested in helping people live better lives? Through small group, round table discussions you will have the opportunity to hear and ask questions from individuals in a variety of career disciplines, including social work, counseling, psychology, and social services.  

Learn about the profession of music therapy. You can attend a music therapy class, talk with music therapists who work in different clinical settings, take a tour of the beautiful Voxman School of Music, and observe a music therapy session in the on-campus clinic. Discover what it takes to be a music therapist! Held in the Fall & Spring. Cap of 10.

Kirkwood Community College’s nursing program is rated top-notch in the state of Iowa. You will have the opportunity to meet with current nursing students and faculty members, practice hands-on nursing tasks, challenge your nursing knowledge with a few fun games, learn more about a career in nursing and how you can begin this rewarding career at Kirkwood! Join us for injections, heart sounds, facility tours and trivia fun! Held on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025 from 10:00am-12:00pm.

Discover The Art of Nursing in service to our nation’s Veterans.  Experience a live emergency simulation, then step into the nurse’s role with hands-on task trainers.  Explore the skill, communication, and compassion that define exceptional Veteran care. Held Jan. 2026.

Learn about the nursing career, different levels of education and pathways one can take to become a nurse, and the growing need for nurses in the healthcare field from current nurses. Experience hands-on activities, patient simulations, and explore the commonly used equipment. Learn about the University of Iowa Nursing Program from the admissions team.

Learn about careers in obstetrics, gynecology, and maternal health.  Interact with doctors and nurses who work in labor and delivery to understand their role.  Engage with nurse midwives who work alongside the medical team.  Visit a research lab dedicated to maternal health and learn about the important research taking place to advance health outcomes.  Discover what it’s like to work in obstetrics and gynecology by connecting with the doctors, nurses, and nurse midwives who care for expectant mothers in labor and delivery. Additionally, you’ll learn how to deliver a baby through a simulation activity. Then, step into a maternal health research lab to see how cutting-edge science is improving outcomes for parents and babies alike. 

Step into the world of disease detectives and discover how pathologists and clinical laboratory scientists help diagnose and understand illness.  In this hands-on experience, you’ll work through a case study and put your pathology skills to the test; explore how pathology plays a role in research, identifying diseases, and treatments as you tour a research lab and examine tissue.  Meet with a pathologist to hear firsthand what their job is like and learn about the many job opportunities within the field of pathology.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go to pharmacy school?  You will learn about the admissions process for pharmacy school, take a tour of the new University of Iowa College of Pharmacy, talk to current UI pharmacy students about their experiences, and hear from current Pharmacists working in the field.

Join Kim Passini, physical therapist at Team Iowa Physical Therapy, to learn all you need to know about this exciting and rewarding career!  Kim will share information about what her job is like on a day-to-day basis, the skills it takes to do this job and the education needed. Held in October.

Learn about becoming a Physician Assistant at the #1 ranked PA program in the country!  Take a tour of the PA school, learn how to splint and participate in a Q & A with current students, and learn about the program and career options with the Director of Administrative and Student Services.  Cap of 35.

Learn about the different careers in radiation sciences and the application process for the corresponding programs from the UI Radiation Sciences program admissions team.   Take a tour of the radiation sciences department, explore the many machines and technologies that are commonly used, such as X-ray, CT, MRI, PET, Ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine, and meet with current students and staff in the department.

Do you love technology and wish to be part of the greatest period of healthcare transformation in history? Join us for a day at our school classroom, lab, and radiology department at Mercy Hospital. Learn about the many careers within radiologic technology such as CT, MRI, breast imaging, nuclear medicine, sonography and CVI. We will also touch on the difference between a technologist, radiologist, radiologist assistant. You will enjoy a tour of the imaging center as well as gain some hands-on experience with the equipment and x-ray images. You will also have an opportunity to talk to individuals in several of the modalities!  Held Fall 2025 and Spring 2026.

Are you curious about how therapists help people recover from injuries, illnesses, and disabilities? If you're interested in healthcare and making a difference in people's lives, come explore the world of rehabilitation therapy! This job shadow will introduce you to three exciting fields—Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech-Language Therapy—where you’ll get hands-on exposure to the tools and techniques therapists use every day.

During this immersive session, you’ll learn how Physical Therapists help patients regain strength, mobility, and independence, test your own balance and strength, and explore how therapists treat joint pain and improve movement. You’ll also discover how Occupational Therapists teach people to master daily tasks after a life-changing event and adapt environments to make life easier. And in Speech-Language Therapy, you’ll see the science behind helping patients regain the ability to speak, swallow, and communicate effectively.

Learn about rehabilitation therapy careers and the integrated role they play in patient recovery.  Students will have the opportunity to interact with Respiratory Therapists, Physical or Occupational Therapists, and Speech Therapists through hands-on activities, introduction to therapy devices and equipment, and tour the therapy spaces.

Explore how research drives innovation in health care.  Experience both bench and clinical research firsthand - tour state-of-the-art labs and lab equipment as well as learn about the wide range of groundbreaking studies happening across the medical campus.  You’ll connect with students, faculty, and staff working at the forefront of science to share about their paths and careers.

Do you see yourself working in a fast-paced environment where you're needed by patients of all ages, from premature babies to pediatric and adult patients? As a respiratory therapist, you'll become an expert in helping people breathe, working closely with nurses and physicians to provide life-saving care. This job shadow experience offers a glimpse into this dynamic healthcare career through a tour of the respiratory therapy lab, hands-on simulation scenarios in the Simulation Center, and insight into the education and training required to enter the field. Cap of 15.

Learn about different careers in Sports Medicine.  Spend this day at the new North Liberty Campus interacting with Sports Medicine faculty, staff and students.  Tour clinical and lab spaces and participate in hands-on activities with a focus on biomechanics, physical therapy, and orthopedics.  Learn how sports medicine care is different from other types of patient care. 

Come learn the proper way to scrub for surgery, including donning and doffing gown & gloves. You will practice laparoscopic surgery, intubation and IVs, and learn about open-heart surgery. You will also have the opportunity to operate the Da Vinci Robot. This is an excellent opportunity to have hands-on experience and learn about the various jobs in the operating room for nurses and surgical tech.  Held on Saturday Oct. 11, 2025 from 7:30-10:30am.

Learn about many careers that support a successful surgery.  Learn from surgical technicians and nurses, as well as from those who work in lesser known medical careers who also impact surgery.  Participate in hands-on learning around various surgical equipment and procedures.

Assists patients with various activities in hospitals, nursing homes and other facilities under the direction of a nurse in charge. CNAs often help people under their care with day-to-day activities such as bathing, toileting, dressing, etc.

Assess, treat, and care for patients by manipulation of spine and musculoskeletal system. May provide spinal adjustment or address sacral or pelvic misalignment.

Assist dentist, set up equipment, prepare patient for treatment, and keep records.

Cleans teeth and examine oral areas, head, and neck for signs of oral disease. May educate patients on oral hygiene, take and develop x rays, or apply fluoride or sealants.

Examine, diagnose, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums. May treat diseases of nerve, pulp, and other dental tissues affecting oral hygiene and retention of teeth. May fit dental appliances or provide preventive care.

Plan and conduct food service or nutritional programs to assist in the promotion of health and control of disease. May supervise activities of a department providing quality food services, counsel individuals, or conduct nutritional research.

Plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations.

Perform therapeutic massages of soft tissues and joints. May assist in the assessment of range of motion and muscle strength, or propose client therapy plans.

Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by the physician.

Compile, process, and maintain medical records of hospital and clinic patients in a manner consistent with medical, administrative, ethical, legal, and regulatory requirements of the health care system. Process, maintain, compile, and report patient information for health requirements and standards in a manner consistent with the health care industry's numerical coding system.

Perform complex medical laboratory tests for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May train or supervise staff.

The clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.

Prepare, administer, and measure radioactive isotopes in therapeutic, diagnostic, and tracer studies using a variety of radioisotope equipment. Prepare stock solutions of radioactive materials and calculate doses to be administered by radiologists. Subject patients to radiation. Execute blood volume, red cell survival, and fat absorption studies following standard laboratory techniques.

Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required.

Assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that help build or restore vocational, homemaking, and daily living skills as well as general independence, to persons with disabilities or developmental delays.

Assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, direct activity programs, and document the progress of treatments. Generally requires formal training.

Diagnose, manage, and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system. Examine eyes and visual system, diagnose problems or impairments, prescribe corrective lenses, and provide treatment. May prescribe therapeutic drugs to treat specific eye conditions.

Examine, diagnose, and treat dental malocclusions and oral cavity anomalies. Design and fabricate appliances to realign teeth and jaws to produce and maintain normal function and to improve appearance.

Dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners and provide information to patients about medications and their use. May advise physicians and other health practitioners on the selection, dosage, interactions, and side effects of medications.

Prepare medications under the direction of a pharmacist. May measure, mix, count out, label, and record amounts and dosages of medications according to prescription orders.

Assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that improve mobility, relieve pain, increase strength, and improve or correct disabling conditions resulting from disease or injury.

Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. Generally requires formal training.

Take x rays and CAT scans or administer nonradioactive materials into patient's blood stream for diagnostic purposes. Includes technologists who specialize in other scanning modalities.

Assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. Assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians. Initiate and conduct therapeutic procedures, maintain patient records and select, assemble, check, and operate equipment.

Assess and treat persons with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. May select alternative communication systems and teach their use. May perform research related to speech and language.