Top Skills You Gain from a Healthcare Internship
What You Gain from a Medical Internship
Written by: Mouktika Narala
July 22
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Healthcare internships do more than check a box on your resume, they shape the way you think, communicate, and lead. At Improve Life PLLC, Summer Fellows and health interns get real exposure to patient care, clinical procedures, and the inner workings of a psychiatric clinic. Whether you're interested in psychiatry, primary care, or another medical field, the skills you build here will follow you into medical school and beyond.
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1. Leadership & Initiative
One of the biggest benefits of healthcare internships is the opportunity to take
initiative in a professional setting.Interns and fellows at Improve Life PLLC aren’t
just observers, they’re encouraged to contribute, ask questions, and take ownership of projects.
From helping plan events like the Suture Clinic to working with administrative teams on outreach
projects, students build confidence and learn how to step into leadership roles, even as early career learners.
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2. Communication with Patients & Providers
Effective communication is at the heart of good healthcare. Interns gain firsthand experience interacting with patients and observing how providers navigate difficult conversations with empathy and professionalism.
These skills are especially important in psychiatric care, where trust, tone, and clarity make a huge difference in patient outcomes. Whether it’s writing a follow-up note or helping with intake, students quickly learn that every word matters.
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3. Professionalism in Medical Settings
Interns are held to a high standard at Improve Life PLLC, from punctuality and dress code to writing SOAP notes and documenting clinical observations. Through feedback and mentorship, students gain a deeper understanding of what it means to act professionally in a medical environment.
Several students have even commented that the experience helped them refine how they speak, dress, and carry themselves with valuable preparation for future interviews, clinical rotations, and residency programs.
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4. Exposure to Psychiatric Care
Psychiatry is often underrepresented in traditional pre-med pathways. But at Improve Life PLLC, students are immersed in pre-med shadowing opportunities in Northern Virginia that highlight the complexity and value of mental health care.
From observing diagnostic assessments to understanding treatment plans for depression, anxiety, trauma, or psychosis, students leave with a much richer perspective on how mental and physical health intersect.
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5. Hands-On Clinical Experience
You won’t just be watching from the sidelines. Interns at Improve Life PLLC take part in real clinical activities:
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Suture Clinics to practice surgical stitching
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TOVA testing (Test of Variables of Attention) to assess patients for ADHD
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SOAP note writing to develop clinical documentation skills
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HIPAA training to understand patient privacy standards
These experiences give students a preview of what’s to come in medical school and help them build the competence and confidence needed to succeed.
Why It Matters
The skills learned in a medical internship don’t just prepare you for a future in medicine, they change the way you think, interact, and lead. At Improve Life PLLC, every assignment, conversation, and hands-on moment adds to your growth as a future healthcare provider.
Interested in a Pre-Med Internship in Northern Virginia?
Join Improve Life PLLC’s dynamic internship and fellowship programs to build real-world skills in a supportive and collaborative environment.
Explore our educational opportunities
Wondering what you actually learn during a healthcare internship? From leadership to hands-on clinical skills, here are the top takeaways from the pre-med programs at Improve Life PLLC in Northern Virginia.
Benefits of a Healthcare Internship
Written by: Diya Kumarasamy
July 22
A healthcare internship at Improve Life PLLC offers more than just shadowing. Learn valuable skills like communication, leadership, and hands-on clinical experience, ideal for pre-med students in Northern Virginia.
Internships are a crucial step for students exploring careers in medicine and mental health. But not all internships offer the same level of depth, exposure, or mentorship. At Improve Life PLLC, our internship and fellowship programs give students a comprehensive, hands-on experience in a private psychiatric clinic. Whether you’re a high school junior, pre-med undergrad, or just curious about the field, you’ll walk away with lasting skills that prepare you for any future in healthcare.
Here are the top skills you gain from a healthcare internship with Improve Life PLLC.
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Leadership and Initiative
Interns at Improve Life are not passive observers, they’re team members. Whether you're debating or presenting mental health awareness projects, you’ll gain experience leading with confidence and purpose.
Leadership is one of the most sought-after soft skills in any healthcare setting. At Improve Life PLLC, we build it into your daily experience.
Communication with Patients and Professionals
Strong communication is at the heart of good healthcare. Our interns:
Observe patient-provider interactions (with consent)
Learn how to explain procedures in clear, empathetic language
Practice writing professionally with tasks like diagnosis summaries and more.
You’ll also collaborate with psychologists, psychiatrists, and admin staff, developing both clinical and interpersonal communication skills.
Professionalism in a Medical Environment
From Day 1, interns are immersed in a real-world clinical setting. You’ll learn how to present yourself professionally, respect boundaries, and uphold patient confidentiality.
You’ll get comfortable with:
HIPAA compliance
Business casual dress codes
Punctuality and time management
Patient privacy and ethical care
These are essentials for any aspiring doctor, nurse, therapist, or healthcare worker, and they’re often not taught until clinical rotations in medical school.
Exposure to Psychiatric Care
Mental health is a growing field, and many students don’t get exposure until much later in their education. At Improve Life PLLC, interns observe therapy sessions, psychiatric evaluations, and medication management.
You’ll gain first-hand experience with:
Suture clinics
SOAP notes
Neurocognitive testing (TOVA, PHQ-9, etc.)
How psychiatry works in tandem with therapy and coaching
This makes our program ideal for students interested in psychiatry, psychology, neuroscience, or social work.
Hands-On Medical Skills
Our internship program is designed to give students real experience, not just paperwork. Depending on your level, you might get training in:
Suturing (on practice skin or models)
TOVA testing for ADHD
Writing and reviewing SOAP notes
Recording vitals and administering basic assessments
Assisting with telehealth prep or follow-ups
These are the kinds of skills most students don’t touch until clinical training—but our interns start learning them now.
Insight into the Business Side of Healthcare
Because Improve Life PLLC is a private practice, you’ll also gain experience in the operational side of care, something few students get to see.
This includes:
Outreach with businesses
Marketing and patient communication
Understanding how a clinic actually runs helps students think beyond diagnosis and treatment and prepares them to be leaders in the future of healthcare.
Why Choose Improve Life PLLC?
Our internship and fellowship programs are designed with your growth in mind. We offer pre-med shadowing opportunities in Northern Virginia, with close mentorship, flexible scheduling, and meaningful patient exposure. Whether you’re exploring psychiatry, medicine, psychology, or public health, Improve Life PLLC helps you take the next step with confidence.
Ready to Apply?
The benefits of healthcare internships go beyond resume boosters. You’ll gain real clinical exposure, essential soft skills, and a clearer understanding of your career path.
Interested in joining our internship program? Contact Improve Life PLLC today to learn more or apply.
Top Skills You Gain from a Healthcare Internship at Improve Life PLLC
Written by: Dainna Park
July 26
Meta Description:
Looking to grow as a future healthcare professional? Discover the top skills interns gain at Improve Life PLLC, from patient communication to hands-on clinical experience.
A healthcare internship at Improve Life PLLC offers more than observation—it’s an immersive, hands-on experience that helps students build real skills for medical, PA, and mental health careers. Here's a quick look at the top skills you'll develop:
- Leadership & Collaboration:
1. Lead educational activities like Mini Medical School
2. Take initiative on clinic improvement projects
3. Help onboard and guide new interns
4. Build confidence working in a real healthcare team
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- Patient & Staff Communication
1. Observe and participate in patient interactions under supervision
2. Learn to communicate clearly with providers and clinical staff
3. Practice documenting clinical observations accurately
4. Strengthen interpersonal skills essential for future healthcare roles
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- Professionalism in a Clinical Setting
1. Follow professional dress and behavior standards
2. Maintain confidentiality and uphold HIPAA compliance
3. Show accountability through punctuality and follow-through
4. Adapt to the daily operations of a mental health clinic
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- Exposure to Psychiatric Care
1. Shadow psychiatric evaluations and treatment planning
2. Learn about conditions like anxiety, depression, and ADHD
3. Understand how medication, therapy, and diagnostics work together
4. Gain insight into an often underrepresented field in pre-med training
- Hands-On Clinical Experience
1. Participate in suturing workshops
2. Write SOAP notes to document patient care
3. Assist with TOVA testing for attention disorder assessments
4. Build a stronger application with practical medical skills
Why It Matters:
Interns at Improve Life PLLC leave with experience that goes beyond shadowing. You’ll gain real skills in psychiatry, professionalism, patient care, and leadership—giving you an edge in both clinical education and career development.
Interested in gaining these skills? Contact Improve Life PLLC today to learn more about our internship and fellowship programs.
Breaking the Stigma: What Shadowing at a Psychiatric Clinic Really Teaches You
Written by: Hasini Nandimandalam
July 26
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When most students think of healthcare internships, they picture hospitals, ERs, or busy pediatric offices—not a quiet room with a psychiatrist and a patient discussing trauma or anxiety. But for those lucky enough to intern at Improve Life PLLC, a psychiatric practice in Northern Virginia, it’s exactly this environment that turns their understanding of healthcare upside down—in the best way possible.
Psychiatry is often misunderstood, even by pre-med students. Here’s what shadowing in a psychiatric setting actually teaches you—and why it’s crucial for future healthcare professionals to experience it firsthand.
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Shaping a Future in Medicine
Right off the bat, Marissa emphasized how rare it is to find a psychiatry internship experience that gives students as much agency and exposure as this one. “There aren’t many programs that let students be so deeply involved in actual practice,” she told me. “Dr. Waggel lets us choose how we want to contribute — whether it's shadowing, helping with front desk operations, or doing SEO and outreach. Or all three.”
For Marissa, taking on multiple roles wasn’t just about racking up experiences — it was about finding what truly sparked her interest in medicine. “I learned how to manage appointments, interact with patients professionally, take vitals, write SOAP notes, conduct a Mental Status Exam, and even diagnose and create treatment plans. That kind of training is invaluable for someone like me who wants to go to med school.”
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1. Psychiatry Isn’t “Soft” Medicine — It’s Deep, Complex, and Demands Precision
One of the biggest myths around psychiatry is that it’s all just “talk therapy” or vague guesswork. Interns quickly learn how false that is. Watching psychiatrists at Improve Life PLLC work, you see:
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Careful diagnosis based on DSM-5 criteria
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The use of clinical tools like TOVA testing for ADHD
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How medication management requires balancing side effects, symptoms, and patient history
Mental illness isn’t something that can be seen on an X-ray, but that doesn’t make it any less real—or less scientific. Shadowing here proves psychiatry is every bit as demanding as surgery or cardiology.
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2. Patients Are Complex Human Beings—Not Diagnoses
Many students walk in thinking “schizophrenia” means chaos, or “bipolar” equals instability. But real patients aren’t stereotypes—they’re teachers, artists, parents, and high schoolers. They’re often kind, insightful, and dealing with incredible burdens.
Interns come away understanding:
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The diversity of patients seen in mental health clinics
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How social, cultural, and economic factors shape mental illness
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That compassion > judgment every time
This perspective is something no textbook can teach.
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3. You Learn to Listen. Actually Listen.
Shadowing psychiatrists trains you in what might be the most underdeveloped skill in medicine: listening. In psych care, providers spend 30–60 minutes with patients—not 10 rushed minutes like other specialties.
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How to pick up on nonverbal cues
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The power of open-ended questions
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When silence is more powerful than speaking
This skill isn’t just helpful in psychiatry—it translates across all medical fields
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4. You Witness the Healing Power of Continuity
At Improve Life PLLC, patients often come weekly, biweekly, or monthly. Interns witness the evolution of patient progress—slowly, steadily, over time.
This teaches:
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The value of long-term care and trust
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Why building relationships is as important as prescribing meds
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That healing isn’t always about a dramatic “before and after”—sometimes it’s about small wins
It’s a powerful shift from the ER mentality of “fix it fast.”
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5. It Changes How You See Mental Health—Forever
By the time most interns leave Improve Life PLLC, they say the same thing: “I didn’t realize how much stigma I carried until I saw the truth up close.”
Whether or not they go into psychiatry, they leave with:
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More empathy
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A broader clinical vocabulary
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A deeper commitment to treating the whole patient, mind and body
Final Thoughts
Shadowing at a psychiatric clinic isn’t just about learning a specialty—it’s about unlearning stigma. It’s about seeing patients as whole humans, understanding the real-life science behind mental health, and becoming a better, more compassionate future provider.
If you’re serious about medicine—or just want to be the kind of person who truly understands mental health—start here.
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Call to Action
Want to experience this firsthand?
Apply to the Improve Life PLLC Internship Program today and start reshaping your future—and your perspective on healthcare. Learn more at Improve Life PLLC.
