Application letter clinical observership

Jefferson welcomes individuals from outside of the United States of America (U.S.) to complete an International Observership Experience (Observership Experience). This Observership Experience allows international individuals to become familiar with U.S. education and healthcare processes. Observers do not receive academic credit from Jefferson for participating in an Observership Experience. Observerships can last up to 90 days.

There are three types of Observership Experiences:

1. Student Observership: This experience is for an international student in any academic discipline, including medicine. The duration for most Student Observers in healthcare is a maximum of four (4) weeks. The duration for Student Observers in other academic disciplines is a maximum of 12 weeks.
2. Resident Observership: This experience is for a graduate of an international medical school.
3. Physician and Health Professional Observership: This experience is for physicians and other healthcare professionals who are not students and are not in a residency training program.

Please note, it can take up to three months for an Observer to meet onboarding requirements. Observers who do not allow three months may not be able to begin their Observership Experience on the anticipated start date.

Observership Review

An Observership Experience will allow international students, residents, physicians, and other professionals to:

• Understand how a physician and/or health educator teaches medical and health professions students, residents, and fellows in a clinical setting,
• Study professional communication with patients and members of the health care delivery team,
• See the delivery of health care in an outpatient or hospital setting,
• Observe how electronic medical records are used to document health care and communicate with patients,
• Learn from academic and departmental conferences and meetings.

Permitted & Restricted Activities

To ensure the safety of Jefferson’s patients, the community, and colleagues, to comply with accreditation requirements, and to protect Jefferson’s intellectual property, the following are permitted and restricted activities.

Permitted Activities

• Attend educational sessions such as lectures, case conferences, workshops, grand rounds,
• Observe educational activities taking place in the community, clinical, or research setting.

Restricted Activities

• Hands-on patient care, such as engaging in physical examinations, performing procedures, or obtaining a patient history,
• Access to Jefferson’s electronic and other medical records,
• Conduct or perform research or have access to Jefferson research laboratories. A research program agreement with Jefferson is necessary to participate in research experiences.

Eligibility Requirements

Observers must meet all of the following requirements prior to participating in an Observership Experience. These include:

• Approval from the Hosting Department,
• Completion of the relevant “Observership Experience Agreement”,
• Completion of all Human Resources requirements, including a job application and background clearance,
• Completion of all Occupational Health requirements, including blood work, drug screen, vaccination documentation (these may be done remotely),
• Comprehensive evacuation/repatriation/medical insurance for the duration of the Observership Experience (Health Insurance Plans for International Observers and Visitors).

Steps to Request an Observership Experience

Individuals interested in an Observership Experience must first obtain approval from the Jefferson Hosting Department. The Office of International Services does not place individuals in an Observership Experience. The Jefferson Hosting Department must oversee the request.

Please note it can take up to three months for an Observer to meet onboarding requirements. Observers who do not allow three months may not be able to begin their Observership Experience on the anticipated start date.

Steps

• Jefferson Hosting Department agrees to provide an Observership Experience and submits a "Sponsorship Request" via the International Service Portal
• The Office of International Services and Export Control will review the Sponsorship Request
• If initial requirements are met, the Office of International Services will send an email to the individual with instructions on the onboarding process and copy the Hosting Department and Human Resources
• Observer completes and submits Occupational Health & Human Resources requirements
• Occupational Health & Human Resources review submitted documentation
  • If all documentation is received and the Observer meets all requirements, then,
  • Notify the Hosting Department
  • Notify the Observer that they have been accepted as an Observer and confirm they are cleared for the Observership Experience and provide instructions on obtaining an Identification Badge

  Hosting Department & Hosting Supervisor Responsibilities

  Hosting Department and Hosting Supervisor must meet all of the following requirements prior to agreeing to “Host” an International Observer. These include:

  • Ensure that the Observer has submitted the following documentation:
    • If a student, a letter confirming enrollment and good standing at home university,
    • If a resident, physician, or other health professional, a letter confirming employment at a home organization
    • have hands-on patient care experiences,
    • directly engage in any physical examinations,
    • perform any procedures on a patient,
    • obtain a patient history, or
    • make any entries in the patient’s medical record