About

Kaiser Permanente’s KP LAUNCH (Learning About Unlimited New Careers in Healthcare) is a paid summer internship program designed to introduce high school students to a broad range of careers in the health care system. Offered across multiple Kaiser Permanente regions, KP LAUNCH focuses on students from underrepresented and historically marginalized communities, providing early exposure to clinical, administrative, and operational roles within one of the largest integrated health systems in the United States.

The program typically runs for six to eight weeks during the summer and places students in real Kaiser Permanente facilities, including hospitals, clinics, medical offices, and regional administrative centers. Interns are matched with departments based on interest and availability, and may observe or assist in areas such as nursing support, medical records, public health, health informatics, human resources, finance, patient services, or community health outreach. While the program is not designed as a research experience, it offers a practical, systems-level introduction to how modern health care organizations function.
KP LAUNCH emphasizes professional development alongside workplace exposure. Participants receive structured training in workplace skills such as communication, teamwork, time management, and career planning, and often take part in workshops, speaker sessions, and cohort-based activities with other interns. Mentorship is a central component, with staff members serving as supervisors and role models, helping students understand career pathways in medicine, allied health professions, and health administration.

Admission is selective and region-specific, with eligibility typically restricted to high school students who meet age requirements (often 16–19) and residency criteria for the participating Kaiser Permanente service area. The application process generally includes an online form, short essays, and in some regions an interview. Priority is often given to students who demonstrate financial need, first-generation college status, or strong interest in health-related careers. Because placements depend on local capacity, availability and exact program structure vary by region.

Interns are paid hourly wages ($23 hourly in 2026), making KP LAUNCH one of the more accessible large-scale health career programs in the U.S. Unlike many university-affiliated summer programs, it does not charge tuition and does not require prior academic specialization in science or medicine. Instead, it functions primarily as an early career exploration and workforce pipeline program, offering students realistic insight into health care environments and helping them build foundational professional experience before college.