Observership PolicyProcedures

For Foreign Medical Graduates

According to the Council on Graduate Medical Education, observership is defined as “a structured opportunity for an IMG to observe clinical practice in a variety of health care settings under the guidance of a physician mentor and to learn about the general structure, characteristics, and financing of health care delivery in the US.” Therefore, the observer has no direct patient care responsibilities but is encouraged to participate in daily teaching rounds and discussion of patient care.

Goal:

The goal of the observership program is to introduce foreign medical graduate physicians a valuable chance to learn how patient care is delivered in the United States, how the Medical Team is structured, different departments interact, and how the latest medical technology are being used to provide care and treatment. Also, another goal of the observership program is to strengthen the visiting physician’s clinical knowledge in a particular specialty.

Due to the demandfor Clinical Observership which often exceeds the team and rotations available, the program will do its utmost to accommodate your request.The following policy and procedures will be in effect immediately.

Basic Requirements:

  • Applicant must be able to speak English
  • Applicant is required to have adequate health insurance coverage for the duration of their rotation.
  • Applicant is responsible for obtaining required immunizations or tests at his/her own expense before arrival in the United States.
  • Applicant must have completed undergraduate and postgraduate medical training (a graduation certificate is required).
  • Applicant must meet an experience requirement, which is fully trained international healthcare provider with several years of experience and actively practicing or working in the healthcare field.
  • Applicant must be actively engaged in the practice of medicine.

If you meet all of these requirements, please fax to (410)368-3525 or scan and email to:

  • Updated Curriculum Vitae
  • USMLE Scores with Score Performance Profile* (Required: Step 1 & Step 2 CS)
  • Medical School Transcript
  • Explanation of gap in training, if any

NOTE:Incomplete documents will not be reviewed.

Approval for Observership:

Once approved and accepted for an observership, the applicant will be required to submit the following documents:

Observership Application Form

PPD Test results; must be recent (within the last year)

(If your PPD result is positive, you must submit a copy of your Chest X-ray)

Provide proof of health insurance card for the duration of the observership

Flu Shot record; if flu season

Other Helpful Information:

Prior to your arrival at Saint Agnes Hospital, you will receive detailed information from the program coordinator regarding your reporting time, location and assigned team.

On the first day of your observership, you will get your orientation in the Department of Medicine and watch a series of DVDs and sign an Observership Contract Agreement – Terms & Conditions.

Rules for Observership:

  • Applicant for observership cannot spend no more than 1 month of rotation.
  • Observers should not be wondering around the hospital alone.
  • Observers should always be with a medical resident, medical student and or sub-intern.
  • Letters of Recommendation at the end of rotation for the observer are not guaranteed.
  • Observership program does not guarantee an interview invitation during the recruitment season.
  • Observership program does not guarantee a spot in the residency program.
  • Observers can be removed at any time based on the discretion of the residency program (with the forfeiture of observership fee).
  • Observers can be moved around team at the discretion of the residency program.
  • Applicant must have their own medical health insurance for the duration of their rotation.
  • Observer must abide by all policies, rules, regulations, and bylaws of Saint Agnes Hospital.
  • Observers are expected to dress in a professional manner. T-shirts, jeans, cutoffs, open-toe shoes, and other casual articles of clothing are not permitted.

Limitation:

Observers are not medical staff and must not present as such, unless specified by the attending supervisor.

The title is properly identified as “Observer”. The duration of the observership will be for a period of 4 weeks.

Observers are approved for the following activities:

  • Attend morning and noon conferences
  • Attend daily rounds with residents
  • View and discuss patient interactions with the faculty and team
  • Access to library
  • Participate in grand rounds and other educational activities

Parking:

Parking at the Saint Agnes parking lot is at no charge. Please make sure that you park at the allotted visitors parking to avoid towing.

Working Hours:

Working hours vary depending on your assigned team.

Meals:

The observer is responsible for her/his meals

Housing/Lodging & Transportation:

Housing is not provided for observers. You will be responsible for your own accommodations. At your request, the program coordinator/residency administration will provide you a list of accommodations in the area.

The observer is responsible for her/his transportation.

Cancelation Policy:

Once your rotation has been confirmed by e-mail, you are expected to complete your delegated obsevership. If cancellation is unavoidable, please submit a notification at least 60 days in advance. Please be aware that your observership fee of $500.00 is non-refundable.

Observership Fee:

There is a $500.00 fee for a four week rotation. We accept cash, money order or check and can be made payable to Department of Medicine – Saint Agnes Hospital and payment is due at the day of orientation.

rev 07/14/2015