[Hiring] Medical Student Summer Internship - Population Medical Management and Clinical @UnitedHealth Group

Role Description

This summer internship offers medical students and dual degree trainees the opportunity to gain hands-on exposure to primary care strategy and value-based care transformation within a population-focused healthcare environment. The internship is non-patient facing and designed to provide insight into how clinical and executive leaders partner with primary care organizations to improve quality, outcomes, and value at scale.

• The intern will support initiatives focused on Primary Care Strategy, including how the organization collaborates with primary care groups and medical homes to align members with high quality, well-supported, value-aligned primary care providers.
• Gain exposure to Value Based Care (VBC) strategy, participating in market level discussions and deep dives into evolving care models and model performance considerations.
• Through collaboration with physician leaders, strategy teams, and population health partners, the intern will develop an understanding of how next generation VBC models are designed, implemented, and optimized across diverse markets.

This experience is intended for trainees interested in primary care leadership, population health, healthcare strategy, and value-based care, and provides foundational exposure to the system level decision making that shapes modern healthcare delivery.

By the end of the internship, the intern will:

• Understand how population-focused and value-based care models differ from traditional fee-for-service approaches.
• Gain exposure to the role of a Chief Medical Officer and senior physician leadership.
• Develop foundational knowledge of healthcare finance, incentives, quality metrics, and performance management.
• Learn the competencies and skills required for Population Medical Management within organized systems of care.
• Build leadership, communication, and systems thinking skills applicable to future clinical, administrative, or executive roles.

Program Details

• Duration: Summer internship (approximately 8 weeks)
• Schedule: Full time
• Location: Remote, with limited onsite or market-based exposure as business needs allow
• Patient Care: None – this role is non-patient facing

You’ll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges. For all hires in the Minneapolis or Washington, D.C. area, you will be required to work in the office a minimum of four days per week.

Primary Responsibilities

• Support projects related to population health, quality performance, and practice transformation.
• Partner with the Chief Medical Officer to develop materials that highlight a “day in the life” of a CMO, including leadership priorities, decision making, and system level responsibilities.
• Participate in market level shadowing experiences to observe how population medical management principles are applied in real-world practice settings.
• Assist in outlining and documenting core competencies for Population Medical Management within established Communities of Practice.
• Analyze clinical, operational, and financial workflows to understand how leadership decisions impact patient outcomes, provider experience, and organizational performance.
• Collaborate with physician leaders, administrators, and cross-functional teams to observe and support clinical leadership activities.
• Assist with data review, presentations, and summary materials for leadership and strategy discussions.

Qualifications

• Current enrollment at an accredited institution in one of the following programs: Medical School (MD) - 3rd or 4th year.
• Demonstrated interest in healthcare leadership, population health, value-based care, or health system management.
• Proven solid analytical, communication, and organizational skills.
• Proven ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
• Proven ability to commit to a full-time summer internship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced stage trainees (clinical years or final year of graduate training).
• Enrolled in dual Programs - MD/MPH, MD/MBA, MPH/MBA.
• Experience in research, quality improvement, population health, policy, analytics, or health administration (academic or professional).
• Interest in careers involving clinical leadership, population medical management, health system strategy, or executive medicine.
• Curiosity about healthcare delivery systems, reimbursement models, and large scale clinical operations.

Benefits

• Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc.
• Hourly pay for this role will range from $25.00 to $30.00 per hour based on full-time employment.
• Comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase, and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements).