Observership: is granted to a foreign Medical School Graduate for the duration of a 1 month rotation.

 

Objectives of a Rotation: To familiarize yourself with the U.S. medical system.

To become proficient in presentation of history and physical examinations on daily rounds.

To become proficient in ascertainig patient's acute symptoms and making a therapeutic plan.

To learn to write daily progress notes.

To learn how to interpret basic lab tests and radiology data such as blood, urine serum, X-rays, etc.

 

 

 

A formal application shall be submitted to the Clinical Observership Program Committee well in advance of the start date. Standardized applications such as ERAS application is acceptable. In the event that ERAS application is not available,  a Common Application Form can be substituted. The following are required to be submitted to the Committee for consideration of participation in the program.

 

A cover letter detailing desired rotation

A completed Application (such as ERAS) or Common Application Form

C.V.

At least one letter of reference from a clinical supervisor or advisor or an attending physician

USMLE score reports

ECFMG certificate

TOEFL score report ( if available)

Documentation of Up to Date Immunization Record, and Health insurance coverage for when you do a rotation.

A recent photograph for identification.

 

Application Deadline:
 A completed application must be received at least 8 weeks in advance of a start date request. Formal start date is usually the first working day of a calendar motnh. Timing is at the discretion of the program coordinator and calendar teaching schedules.

 

Approval Process: Applications will be formally reviewed once a month. If an application is received after the Committee's meeting date but before the start date of a block rotation, the Committee chaair can review and approve applications to expedite the process. However, such decisions must be ratified in the full committee meetings.

 

Selection Process:
The Committee  meets once a month. Each application is carefully reviewed. There are 2 slots for General Medicine, 2 slots for ICU and 2 slots for  Telemetery (Cardiac & Non Cardiac) experience at this time. Selection for Observerships is based on the following criteria, where no single criteria can guarantee acceptance:

USMLE board scores

Reference letter

Performance in medical school

Interest in Griffin Hospital Internal Medicine Residency program in future and prospects of becoming a resident at Griffin Hospital.

 

Observership at the Griffin Hospital does not automatically result in an invitation for an interview or enhance the chances for acceptance in to our residency program.

 

Selection to the observership program is based on a simple majority of votes of the committee members.

 

Screening Process
Griffin Hospital reserves the right to screen any worker for drug abuse. Candidates may be asked to undergo drug testing.

It is the policy of the Griffin Hospital to do background checks on its employees. We routinely perform background check on sub-interns and observers. The sub-intern and observer are required to pay for this background check and/or drug testing. The cost of background check is included in the application fee. If a drug testing is mandated, additional costs will incur.

 

Observership Program Rotation Fee: A non-refundable fee of $500 will be charged for each month of rotation. The fee is required (4) weeks prior to the start date of the rotation. Payment will only be due if acceptance to the program has been confirmed. Any additional months of rotation will require an additional non refundable fee of $500.00 per month of rotation.

 

It is generally the policy of the Griffin Hospital NOT to extend the duration of observership to more than a month. Under certain circumstances, we will allow a person to extend the duration, such as:

When there is an empty slot available which has not been filled with a new candidate

When a candidate demonstrates exemplary performance during the month at Griffin.

In the event that a slot is available due to lack of candidate, a candidate shall make a formal request to the Coordinator for an extension. In the event that a present observer and a new application compete for a slot, preference will be given to the new candidate.

 

 

Evaluation of an observership performance is based on:

Teaching Attending's feedback and written evaluation

Resident feedback and written evaluation

Intern's feedback and written evaluation

Any other formal or informal feedback with may include:

Nursing evaluation

Patient feedback

Chief Resident's feedback

Feedback from morning reports and lectures participation

 

Reference Letters: A candidate may request letters of reference from the teaching attending on their team if they have had significant interaction with the attending. Additional letters can be requested from any attending with whom the candidate had significant interaction. It is the candidates' responsibility to obtain such letters. It is not the responsibility of the Committee or the Coordinator of Observers to obtain such letters.

 

Parking: 
Free parking is provided in the lower lot across from the hospital on Seymour Ave. There is also parking at the Griffin Hospital Center for Cancer Care on the corner of Seymour Ave and Division St. There is no parking allowed in the upper lot. This lot is strictly for patients and/or vistitors of the hospital.

 

Food:
 Candidates are not provided with food or food coupons. Observers can use the cafeteria and will be charged the employee rate for meals when they show their hospital ID card.

 

Lodging:
 Griffin Hospital does not make arrangements for logding or rental of apartments. Candidates are directed to "Craigs list", we have had many observers have good results for accomodations. Candidates are also asked to share their email address amongst the team of each rotation month. Communication between each other has been very helpful with travel and/or accomodations.

 

Equipment We do not provide white coats, on-call gowns, stethoscope, tendon hammers etc. It is your responsibility t obtain these items on your own. A white lab coat or jacket is required by all observers while in the hospital.

 

To receive further information and the forms necessary for an application to the Observership Program, please contact via email, the Observership Coordinator: Carolyn Steeves, (csteeves@griffinhealth.org). Only complete applications will be accepted for consideration, so contact with the coordinator is essential.