Observership Program
Enhance Your Learning and Exposure
The Department of Internal Medicine is pleased to offer avid learners the opportunity to shadow our team during work rounds to enhance their learning and exposure to Internal Medicine. This is a hands-off shadowing experience, as per policy set forth by Texas Tech School of Medicine. Learners will have the opportunity to observe medicine physician's interaction with patients (with the patient's permission), engaging in thoughtful discussion of clinical cases, reviewing medical literature, enhancing clinical knowledge, and experiencing teamwork involved in care for our patients with opportunities of scholarly activities.
What kind of applicant is the program designed for?
- Individuals who are graduates from an approved medical school and aspire to participate in a learning experience.
Application Submission Requirements
- Application submission are reviewed on a first come first serve basis. While we ask for date preference, it is likely that upon approval you will be emailed dates that are available. Preference listing does not guarantee you will receive those dates.
- All documents payments must be received by the program by the deadlines.
- ECFMG certificate or Step 1 and Step 2 scores submitted with your application or LCME Accredited Medical School Diploma.
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- Non refundable application fee (upon approval of observership) - $250. This application fee includes mal-practice or liability coverage required by TTUHSC.
- Criminal Background Check fee - Approximately $50 to $150 dollars depending extent of search per individual.
- Observership Fee based on length of observership
- Two week - $1000
- Four week - $2000
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Observership Dates Available:
General Medicine Open Dates
- November 2024 onward (once slots are filled for the time period listed as a preference on your application emails of denial will be sent out)
Subspecialty Open Dates:
- September 2024 onward
- Specialties available
- Nephrology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pulmonary/Critical Care
Observership Facilities
Below are the three facilities that the observer access during their observership with the department. Each of these facilities are teaching facilities and/ academic facilities used by GME programs in Lubbock, Texas but they are all connected physically so travel and transportation is not required.
- Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
- University Medical Center
- Texas Tech Physician -Internal Medicine
- To familiarize learners with the U.S. medical system.
- To become proficient in presentation of patients on daily rounds.
- To gain experience working in a multidisciplinary healthcare team.
- To learn how to interpret basic lab tests and radiology data such as blood, urine serum, X-rays, etc.
- Individuals who FMG graduates and aspire to participate in a learning experience shall
apply online and communicate with the program coordinator directly to apply for an
Observership. Direct link to our application is https://app4.ttuhsc.edu/Observerships. Please have the following documents ready to submit with your application:
- Current CV/Resume *
- ECFMG certificate and/or Completion of Step 1 and Step 2
- Headshot (for badging purposes)^
- Letter of Recommendation*
- Medical School Transcript (Unofficial copy is sufficient)*
- COVID Vaccine (copy of immunization card)
- USMLE score reports*
* indicates this document is required at time of the application submission. All others without an * are required to be uploaded to your application at least 4 weeks prior to the start of your observership start date.
After you receive the email stating that your observership is approved,
- An email will be sent that includes the approved dates (not always the same as what you requested) and a link to pay the application fee. Applicant should confirm dates, by replying to the imobservership@ttuhsc.edu email address and make the application fee payment by deadline. Once application fee is received, the below steps occur.
- Once application fee is received and dates confirmed (step 1), observer will receive an confirmation email that includes, background check link, payment link, onboarding documents (passport or social, badge & parking form, and notification of any other missing documents needed. Completion of the background check should be done immediately and documents and observership are due on or before deadlines. This email will also include how and when to report to begin observership and other accommodation information for your convenience.
- CBC clearance report, Observer fee, and onboarding documents should be received by the deadline before you can begin your observership.
- In keeping with CDC guidelines, TTUHSC is issuing new instructions for students/learners who will need to enter our facilities. Students will be asked to complete an electronic screening survey prior to entry each time as well as wear a universal mask and comply with social distancing guidelines. See the COVID protocol link for details.
- Our objective with this protocol is to ensure the safety of all who enter our facilities and to minimize the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
ALL LEARNERS
Shall not begin their learning experience until approved by Observation and Learning Experience or one of the partnering areas listed below:
- SOM – GME office shall onboard all postgraduates for observations.
- Will be assigned a sponsor or preceptor that is a current, active TTUHSC employee and is not a relative.
- Learners subject to US visa requirements or restrictions may only participate in experiences during the approved dates listed on their valid official visa documents.
- Shall be subject to TTUHSC policies and procedures, and to applicable federal, state, and local laws that may apply to their activities.
- Shall wear their identification badge and companion badge at all times during their learning experience.
OBSERVERS
- Shall be 16 years of age or an individual who is at least 14 years of age and is affiliated with an educational program approved by Observation and Learning Experience for observation experiences.
- Shall be 16 years of age to enter an operating room (OR) and the Emergency Department (ED).
- Shall not participate in more than two observation experience exceeding 8 weeks in duration unless approved by SOM, GME and Observership Program Director.
- Shall not engage in activities other than observing/shadowing. Shadowing does not
include the following:
- Direct patient care;
- Hospital or ambulatory clinic privileges;
- Providing consultation or advice related to patient care; and
- Performing work related activities.
- This includes, but is not limited to: interviewing patients, examining patients, and/or accessing patient medical records without proper consent.
Onboarding Process
