Clinical Observership Program
The application process remains open until all positions are filled for each calendar year. We accept new applications during this time only. We are closed for the month of July and will not accept applications for that month. Please refer to the table below for available rotations.
Observership is granted to foreign medical school graduates for the duration of 1 month (4 WEEKS).
Rotation Objectives
- 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 ascertaining patients’ 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.
Eligibility Criteria
Foreign Medical Student Graduates: Must be a GRADUATE of a Medical School
- Must be ECFMG certified.
- Must have up to date immunization records including flu shot during flu season(Oct-March) and Covid-19 Vaccine including Covid-19 booster if applicable.
- No exceptions are made in fairness to all applicants.
Applications
- A formal application shall be submitted to the Clinical Observership Program Committee for approval.
- Standardized applications such as an ERAS application is acceptable. If using an ERAS application, months for which the candidate is applying for should be indicated in the email. In the event that ERAS application is not available, a Common Application Form can be substituted.
The following criteria is what is required to be submitted to the Committee for consideration of participation in the program:
- A completed application or ERAS application
- A cover letter detailing desired rotation
- Your C.V.
- At least one up-to-date letter of reference from a clinical supervisor or advisor, or an attending physician
- USMLE score reports including both Step 1 & 2 (minimum 230 first attempt). Step 3 is welcome
- Medical school diploma
- ECFMG certificate
- TOEFL score report (if available)
- Documentation of up-to-date immunization record (please see details below)
- Proof of health insurance coverage
- A recent photograph for identification
- Copy of passport and valid visa
Application Submission
- An application is considered complete when all listed criteria is submitted. Your application will not be reviewed if missing any items.
- Formal start date is usually the first working day of a calendar month.
- Timing is at the discretion of the program coordinator and teaching service schedules.
Approval Process
Applications will be formally reviewed for each year. Each applicant must provide 3 different months they are available for the rotation. If all criteria is met, the applicant will be contacted via email if selected for one of the months requested.
The Clinical Observership Program Committee will meet and review each application carefully. There are observership positions in each of the following areas:
- General Medicine (1) slot
- Neuro – Cardiac Telemetry (1) slot
- Flex Team – (1) slot
Observership selection is based on the following criteria, where no single criteria can guarantee acceptance:
- USMLE board scores
- Letter of Reference
- Medical School Academic Performance
- Interest in Griffin Hospital Residency program and prospects of becoming a resident at Griffin Hospital in the future; does not automatically result in acceptance for observership.
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 Griffin Hospital to do background checks on its employees. We routinely perform background checks 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 the background check is included in the application fee. If a drug testing is mandated, additional costs will incur.
Fee
Effective April 1st, 2023, there will be a non-refundable fee of $800.00 and will be charged for each month of rotation. The fee is required (6) 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 a non-refundable fee of $800.00 per month of rotation.
Accepted forms of payment:
- U.S. Certified Bank Check
- U.S. Money Order
- U.S. Personal Check
Immunization Record
All applicants will be required to show proof of:
- COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card (Including Booster dose)
- Flu vaccine (during flu season Oct-March)
- MMR titers ( Measles, Mumps and Rubella)
- Varicella titers
- PPD (within 1 year if negative, chest x-ray within 3 years if positive)
Additional Rotations
It is generally the policy of Griffin Hospital NOT to extend the duration of observership . 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. In the event that a slot is available due to the lack of a candidate, a candidate shall make a formal request to the Coordinator for an extension. In the event that a present observer and a new applicant compete for a slot, preference will be given to the new applicant.
Evaluation
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 may include:
- Nursing evaluation
- Patient feedback
- Chief Resident’s feedback
- Feedback from morning reports and lectures participation
Reference Letters
A candidate may request one letter of reference from the teaching attending physician on their team with whom they had a significant interaction with. It is the candidates’ responsibility to obtain such letter. It is not the responsibility of the committee or the coordinator to obtain the letter for you.
Parking
Free parking is provided in the lower lot across from the hospital on Seymour Avenue. There is also parking at The Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital 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 visitors of the hospital.
Lodging
Griffin Hospital does not make arrangements for lodging or rental of apartments. Candidates are directed to contacting previous observers; they have had good results for accommodations. 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 accommodations. Please let us know if you would NOT like your email shared.
Equipment
We do not provide white coats, on-call gowns, stethoscopes, tendon hammers etc. It is your responsibility to obtain these items on your own. A white lab coat or jacket is required by all observers while in the hospital.
Current Availability
| Available rotations starting August | |||||||||||||||
| Rotation | August | September | October | November | December | January | February | March | April | May | June | ||||
| General Medicine | Open for 2024 | Open for 2024 | Open for 2024 | Open for 2024 | Open for 2024 | Closed for 2024 | Closed for 2024 | Closed for 2024 | Closed for 2024 | N/A | Closed for 2024 | ||||
| Telemetry (NCT) | Open for 2024 | Open for 2024 | Open for 2024 | Open for 2024 | Open for 2024 | Closed for 2024 | Closed for 2024 | Closed for 2024 | Closed for 2024 | N/A | Closed for 2024 | ||||
| Flex Team | Open for 2024 | Open for 2024 | Open for 2024 | Open for 2024 | Open for 2024 | Closed for 2024 | Closed for 2024 | Closed for 2024 | Closed for 2024 | N/A | Closed for 2024 | ||||
Closed – Position has been filled
Application
Contact Information
Please review all above information carefully. If you have any further questions, please contact MedEd Observership, Observership Program Coordinator.
Please do not send program inquiries to the Program Directors or faculty.