The University Health Services Student Clinical Assistant Program: Uniting Classroom Learning and Real-World Experience
Published: March 14, 2025
The Student Clinical Assistant (SCA) program is entering its second year, building upon the foundation of an established volunteer program at University Health Services. While UHS has typically offered students the opportunity to volunteer in departments including Gynecology, General Medicine and Physical Therapy, this program takes learning a step further by providing paid, hands-on clinical experience. Created for students seeking careers in healthcare and medical sciences, the program combines education with real-world application.
Debbie Riggs, RN, Assistant Director of Urgent Care, Sports Medicine and the STI Nurse Screening Clinic, played a key role in creating the program. After observing how other universities integrated students into their clinics, Riggs was inspired to implement a similar approach at UHS.
“Seeing it succeed at other universities made us confident it could work here too. We have exceptional students,” said Debbie.
UHS introduced the paid positions for students in 2024 in Urgent Care as part of a pilot program. With the initial launch, the SCA program demonstrated considerable success in giving students hands-on exposure to a healthcare environment.
“Some of the primary responsibilities of these students include completing patient intakes, collecting vital signs, recording height and weight, confirming medications and allergies, performing department-specific procedures such as EKGs, setting up equipment for procedures and collaborating with the patient flow nurse,” said Deborah Reyes, Urgent Care Medical Assistant II and program lead for 2024.
“In Urgent Care, they gain real-world experience. If they can’t handle seeing blood or dealing with injuries, they’ll know early on. It helps them decide if this career is right for them. Some students discover it’s not their path and shift to something else instead. It’s better to know that early on,” said Debbie. “But other students really thrive in these roles and confirm their career goals during their time in the clinic.”
Beyond their technical skills, students also develop essential communication and interpersonal abilities, which are crucial for any healthcare career. Raymond Sun, a current SCA and senior studying biology, shared how the program has helped him grow more comfortable interacting with patients. "I'm definitely interested in being involved in healthcare in the future, as I’m currently applying to medical school. I think this role has been invaluable in helping me understand the interpersonal side of healthcare," Raymond said.
Alexis Reyes, another current SCA and public health senior, emphasized the advantage of hands-on experience in direct patient care. "Many initial healthcare jobs, especially ones that you have before you have certifications, tend to be more administrative. They involve a lot of paperwork and charting with little direct patient interaction. This position, however, is completely different. It provides valuable hands-on patient care and one-on-one interactions, which you might not get in other settings, especially through volunteering," Alexis explained.
"I'm on the pre-PA track, and I will apply to physician assistant school this May. This job has definitely helped with gaining valuable patient care experience," said Alexis.
Now in 2025, the SCA program has expanded further to include the Sports Medicine Clinic. This new opportunity has allowed students to gain experience in orthopedic care, broadening their clinical knowledge and complementing their existing exposure to Urgent Care. In this clinic, students perform certain durable medical equipment tasks like fitting walking boots, crutches and ankle lace-ups.
Student staff work in clinics only during the fall and spring semesters, as UHS experiences higher patient volume during these times. After completing the program, former SCAs often stay connected with UHS staff, who offer mentorship and sometimes write recommendations for those applying to medical school or jobs. "It’s really rewarding to see how far they’ve come. The students are our future, and it’s great to be a part of that," Deborah said. "Many students have gone on to pursue medical school, and we feel a sense of pride in knowing we played a small part in their journey".
The program's future looks bright as it grows. The SCAs are working hard to enhance the quality of care provided to students while also gaining experience that will aid them in their future careers. All UT Austin undergraduate students majoring in health-related subjects are eligible to apply for the program, which offers a unique opportunity to blend classroom learning with practical clinical experience. Applications for the Fall 2025 program will open in Summer 2025. Learn more about University Health Services, the fully accredited on-campus medical facility for students.