Hands-On Health
Paid Career Program
Learn. Earn. Launch your future in healthcare.
Step into the healthcare industry with this hands-on, earn-and-learn career exploration program designed for 11th and 12th grade high school students.
Over four immersive days, you’ll gain real-world skills, connect with healthcare industry professionals, and tackle an authentic nuclear medicine challenge – all while getting paid for your participation.
We are seeking young adults who are interested in a career in health, but no prior experience is necessary.
Featured video
Hear from students and get a feel for Ridgeline programs through this video feature from a recent Hands-On Health: Paid Career Fellowship program opportunity.
Program highlights
WHO:
11th and 12th graders in the Bay Area's Contra Costa County
LOcation:
Community Youth Center (CYC)
2241 Galaxy Ct, Concord,
California, 94520
Kaiser School of Allied Health Sciences
938 Marina Way South,
Richmond, CA, 94804
WHEN:
Wednesday, March 25, 2026 through Friday, March 27 from 4-6 PM
Saturday, March 28, 2026 from 9 AM -4 PM
Application deadline:
January 28, 2026
COST:
Free – in fact, you’ll get paid up to a $400 stipend to participate!
Explore high-wage jobs in healthcare
Are you interested in exploring career pathways in healthcare? Then this Hands-On Health: Paid Career Program might be for you!
The four-day career development program is diving into nuclear medicine: a special type of medical imaging that helps doctors see what’s happening inside the body in real-time.
Not only is nuclear medicine a great career path for people interested in science, healthcare, and helping others – it provides a pathway to entry-level, high-wage jobs in healthcare, including roles like Nuclear Medicine Technologist and Radiation Therapist.
In the Bay Area, the starting wages for these roles are over $70 an hour and typically require completion of an associate or bachelor’s degree and a specialized certification.
Application now closed
Email hello@ridgelinepathways.org to get added to the email list for future opportunities
Why should I join this paid career program?
Explore your future career in healthcare
Get first-hand experience with an in-demand healthcare career in nuclear medicine that leads to a high-wage job.
Build your professional skills
Learn essential healthcare and workplace professional skills and add a unique professional experience to your resume and college applications.
Solve real-world challenges
Work with peers and healthcare professionals to grow your problem-solving skills and tackle a real-world issue in the healthcare field.
Grow your network and make connections
Meet and learn from healthcare and medical professionals, mentors, and peers who can guide your career journey into this field.
Get paid to gain work experience
Earn $400 for your participation in this four-day immersive, Pathways to Health program. Transportation support is also available, if needed.
Get clear on your next career steps
By getting hands-on experience in healthcare and learning from leaders in the medical field, you'll have the opportunity to gain greater clarity on your next career steps.
Am I eligible
to join?
Ridgeline's Hands-On Health: Paid Career Program is designed for young adults who are:
11th or 12th graders in high school
Must be 16 years old as of October 1, 2025
Living in or attending school in the Bay Area’s Contra Costa County
Curious about healthcare career options
Wanting to develop professional skills
and gain hands-on learning experiences
100% able to fully commit
To participating in all program sessions from March 25-28, 2026
Qualify as low-income based on any of the following criteria:
My family qualifies for free or reduced-price school meals.
My family participates in a public assistance program (e.g., SNAP, TANF, WIC, Medicaid).
My family’s household income is below the federal or state low-income threshold.
I live in a neighborhood/zip code designated as a low-income area.
How do I apply for Pathways to Health?
Complete the application by January 28, 2026
Answer a few questions about your background and career interests
Submit two short-answer responses about your motivation for joining this Pathways to Healthcare program
In 250-300 words, tell us why you are interested in this program. What excites you about it? How do you think Making Waves program can help you reach your career goals?
In 250-300 words, describe a time when you solved a problem. How did you identify the problem? What steps did you take to fix it? Did it work? What did you learn in the process? (This can be something from school, work, or your personal life – it doesn’t have to be healthcare related.)
Confirmation and next steps
- If selected, you’ll receive a confirmation email with next steps.
- Students under 18 years old will need a parent/guardian consent form to participate.
What can I expect during the paid fellowship?
Ridgeline's Hands-On Health: Paid Career Program is a learning experience designed for young adults who are eager to explore career pathways in healthcare.
Fellows will gain real-world experience, work on a healthcare industry challenge, and develop essential career-readiness skills through hands-on learning, mentorship, and collaboration.
This is a four-day immersive experience focused on nuclear medicine – a special type of medical imaging that helps doctors see what’s happening inside the body in real-time. This program is an excellent fit for young adults who are curious about healthcare career opportunities, open to learning new skills, and eager to gain exposure to industries, like nuclear medicine, that offer pathways to high-wage jobs.
As a part of the Ridgeline Hands-On Health: Paid Career Program, you will be part of a cohort of motivated young professionals-in-the-making, working alongside peers and industry experts to tackle real-world challenges, develop problem-solving skills, and expand your network.
Day 1
Wednesday, March 25, 2026 4-6 p.m.
Community Youth Center at 2241 Galaxy Court Concord, CA, 94520
Community-building
Career and professional skills reflection
Day 2
Thursday, March 26, 2026 4-6 p.m.
Community Youth Center at 2241 Galaxy Court Concord, CA, 94520
Building professional durable skills in the healthcare context
Day 3
Friday, March 27, 2026 4-6 p.m.
Community Youth Center at 2241 Galaxy Court Concord, CA, 94520
Nuclear medicine foundations
Day 4
Saturday, March 28, 2026 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Kaiser School of Allied Health Sciences at 938 Marina Way South, Richmond, CA, 94804
Hands-on skill stations (including blood pressure, phlebotomy, nuclear imaging device, EKG, patient transport, and more!)
Professional panel, real world case studies, and culminating career reflection
Application now closed
Email hello@ridgelinepathways.org to get added to the email lis for future opportunities
FAQs
Yes! Not only that, you will get paid a $400 stipend for fully participating. Snacks are provided for days 1-3 and breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided on day 4.
Yes. All participants who complete the Ridgeline Hands-On Health program will receive a Certificate of Completion that can be added to your resume and college applications.
The Bay Area’s Contra Costa County is home to 19 cities and numerous unincorporated communities.
Antioch
Brentwood
Clayton
Concord
Town of Danville
El Cerrito
Hercules
Lafayette
Martinez
Town of Moraga
Oakley
Orinda
Pinole
Pittsburg
Pleasant Hill
Richmond
San Pablo
San Ramon
Walnut Creek
District 1
Bayview
East Richmond Heights
El Sobrante
Kensington
Montalvin Manor
North Richmond
Rollingwood
Tara Hills
District 2
Alamo
Blackhawk
Camino Tassajara
Canyon
Castle Hill
Diablo
Norris Canyon
Reliez Valley (partial)
Saranap/Parkmead
District 3
Bethel Island/ Sandmound
Slough
Byron
Discovery Bay
Knightsen
District 4
Acalanes Ridge
Contra Costa Centre
North Gate
Reliez Valley (partial)
San Miguel
Shell Ridge
District 5
Alhambra Valley
Bay Point
Briones
Clyde
Crockett
Mountain View
Pacheco
Port Costa
Reliez Valley (partial)
Rodeo
Vine Hill
To help us ensure equitable access to this program, in the application we will ask you to please indicate whether your family qualifies as low-income based on any of the following criteria. (Your response will be kept confidential and used only to determine program eligibility.)
My family qualifies for free or reduced-price school meals.
My family participates in a public assistance program (e.g., SNAP, TANF, WIC, Medicaid).
My family’s household income is below the federal or state low-income threshold.
I live in a neighborhood/zip code designated as a low-income area.
Prefer not to answer.
Nuclear medicine is a special type of medical imaging that helps doctors see what’s happening inside the body in real-time. Instead of just taking pictures like an X-ray or MRI, nuclear medicine uses tiny amounts of radioactive materials (called radiopharmaceuticals) to show how organs and tissues are working. Nuclear medicine is used for diagnosing diseases like cancer, heart conditions, and brain disorders, and it can even help treat certain illnesses.
The field combines technology, chemistry, and patient care, making it a great career path for people interested in science, healthcare, and helping others.
Nuclear medicine provides a pathway to entry-level, high-wage jobs in healthcare, including roles like Nuclear Medicine Technologist and Radiation Therapist.
In the Bay Area, the starting wages for these roles are over $70 an hour and typically require completion of an associate or bachelor’s degree and a specialized certification.
Reach out to our Head of Program Aiyana Mourtos at aiyana@ridgelinepathways.or.
Application now closed
Email hello@ridgelinepathways.org to get added to the email list for future opportunities
Thank you to our community partners and funders!
Ridgeline is offering Hands-On Health as a paid program for students thanks to the generous support of philanthropic funders and donors and community partners, including the Payette River Foundation and Kaiser Permanente School of Allied Health Sciences.
From the trail
Let's partner!
We’re looking to fundamentally change how education connects to economic opportunity. Are you ready to get involved?
Reach out to hello@ridgelinepathways.org
Ways to donate
Donations have an immediate and long-term impact. Your support means young people have the resources and pathways to reach their education and career goals.
PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Let’s create hands-on learning opportunities and build career pathways together. Grow your organization’s engagement, build your talent pipeline, and be a part of community impact.