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International Medical Education Heersink School of Medicine

International Medical Education

International Visiting Medical Observers

Enhance Your Residency Preparation with a UAB Clinical Observership

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Apply once and have your profile presented and considered by participating UAB faculty for up to six months for potential observership opportunities.

Through the UAB International Visiting Medical Observer program (IVMO), qualified international medical graduates and medical students can:

  • Observe US physicians at a leading academic medical center
  • Expand their US professional network
  • Earn a Certificate of Completion in Global Health Education
  • Gain firsthand insight into the US healthcare delivery system
  • Receive an Official Letter of Completion from UAB International Medical Education

Why Apply?

  • Gain visibility across participating UAB Medicine departments
  • Become familiar with the US healthcare system’s unique and collaborative structures
  • Demonstrate your proactive preparation and dedication to pursuing a career as a US resident
  • Refine your medical English and healthcare vocabulary by observing nuanced patient interactions and team communication expected in a US hospital.

This observership opportunity will be strictly observing clinical processes and participating in an observational capacity. There will be no direct patient contact or communication, and no clinical hands-on training will be permitted.

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Eligibility

  • You must be an international medical graduate who earned an MD or MD Equivalent (MBBS etc..) within the last five years, or a final-year international medical student.
  • Medical graduates must provide a copy of their Medical Diploma or MD Equivalent (In English)
  • Medical students must provide a copy of their most recent transcript in English.
  • You must have passed the USMLE Exam Step 1. (USMLE Step 2 and Step 3 are preferred but not required.)
  • Available observership timeframes are 4 weeks or 8 weeks. Eight-week opportunities will consist of two 4-week opportunities.
  • English Proficiency
    • You must take one of the following English Proficiency Tests and present proof of passing with the following minimum:
      • OET (within the last two years) - achieving a minimum score of 350 on the Listening, Reading, and Speaking sub-tests and a minimum score of 300 on the Writing sub-test of the OET Medicine test, all in one test administration.
      • TOEFL - passing with the following minimum scores:
        • iBT (internet-based) overall band score of 5.0 (traditional score of 100), with a minimum band score of 4.0 (traditional score of 22) on the Speaking section
      • Paper-based TOEFL scores are no longer accepted.

We will only accept TOEFL scores that have been taken within a two (2) year period from the date that the application was submitted. OET scores must be from exam taken within last two years.

  • English Proficiency Requirement is waived if one of the following is met:
    • English is your first language.
    • Can provide proof of graduation from a four-year medical institution where the curriculum, all classes and rotations were taught in English.
    • Can provide proof of passing USMLE Step2.
    • Can provide proof of ECFMG Certification.
  • Proof of English Proficiency is not required from citizens of countries where English is the official language or from US citizens.
  • Good command of the English language will also be determined during the virtual online interview.

Fees

Application Fee

  • A one-time application fee of $350 (USD) makes your profile available across numerous UAB Medicine departments, offering the potential for greater visibility.
  • The IVMO application fee is non-refundable, and payment does not guarantee acceptance.
  • Observership Fee
  • The investment for this comprehensive 4-week experience is $4,250.00 (USD), due only after you are selected by UAB faculty host. This investment directly supports your opportunity to enhance your residency preparation through a placement at a leading academic medical center.
  • Payment must be made by major credit card or bank wire.

Please note:

  • Fees cannot be adjusted and we do not offer scholarships.
  • Housing, transportation, and meals are not included in the observer fee.  

*Cost of observership fee subject to change without prior notice

Application and Selection Process

  • Step 1 - Submit your application and supporting documents 3 months prior to preferred start date, including the non-refundable application fee ($350 USD).

  • Step 2 - International Medical Education (IME) reviews your application through a holistic evaluation process. Selected applicants will be invited for a virtual interview. Selection for an interview does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

  • Step 3 - If accepted, you will be automatically entered into the UAB IVMO Candidate pool, giving you continuous exposure to participating departments and faculty as new observership positions come available for six months post acceptance.

  • Step 4 - Faculty review your profile for available observership opportunities.

  • Step 5 - If selected by a faculty, you will receive a conditional offer, which includes the specialty, dates of observership, name of UAB faculty host, observership invoice and directions for admissions and onboarding.

  • Step 6 - Once your observership payment is received, you will start the admissions process which results in an official UAB Observership Offer letter.

  • Step 7 - You cleared by the UAB International Visiting Scholar process and participate in shadowing and personal development activities through your UAB observership.

Important Note for Applicants

  • All applicants will receive either an acceptance or denial email. All decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
  • All communication is by direct email. Please be sure to include the correct email address.
  • Rejected applications will not be eligible for resubmission.
  • Observership slots are limited.

Faculty Review and Observership Selection

One of the greatest challenges international medical graduates face is finding a faculty member willing to host an observership. UAB International Medical Education actively works for up to six months to pair applicants that are accepted into the candidate pool with participating departments and faculty for observership opportunities. Candidate profiles may be reviewed by participating UAB faculty across multiple departments and specialties.

Please Note:

  • Placement is based on faculty availability, specialty interest, candidate qualifications, and departmental capacity, with limited opportunities available.
  • Acceptance into the candidate pool does not guarantee placement with a faculty host or observership opportunity.

Important Note for Candidates

Candidates that fail to match with a UAB Medicine Host after 6 months of acceptance into the Candidate pool will be removed from the pool. Candidates will need to reapply for further consideration.

Apply

Required Documentation

The following documentation must be compiled into one (1) PDF formatted document in the listed order and submitted through the International Visiting Medical Observer application portal: Prepare one (1) PDF file in the following order.

PDF#1 - Career Experience & Recommendations

  1. Curriculum Vitae (CV).
  2. Personal Statement.
  3. Passport-style Photo/Headshot.
  4. Copy of Passport (Biographical Page).
  5. English Proficiency Test Scores (TOEFL or OET Medicine).
  6. Copy of Medical Diploma (Graduates) or Most Recent transcript (Medical Students) in English
  7. Proof of Application Fee Payment ($350).

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Policies and Procedures

UAB IVMO observers are STRICTLY PROHIBITED from engaging in any direct interactions with patients, including diagnosis or treatment. There will be no direct patient contact or communication, and no clinical hands-on training will be permitted.

Your observership activities will not grant you access to any identifiable patient information, and you will be strictly prohibited from accessing servers or systems that house confidential patient medical records

Additionally, your observership activities will not grant you access to UAB animal facilities.

International observers are required to comply with UAB’s Code of Conduct, intellectual property acknowledgments, and health policies – Immunizations, Physical Exam, COVID19 testing, TB screening and minimum medical insurance requirements.

Any departure from these guidelines will be regarded as a breach of the UAB policies and may result in immediate removal from the facility and restrictions on any future request to observe in UAB Clinical Facilities, with no refund of any fees.

UAB International Medical Education follows the advice of the U.S. Department of State and Foreign Affairs Manual followed by the U.S. consulates and embassies (FAM) in recommending that international visiting medical observers participating in the IVMO Program enter the United States on a B-1/B-2 Visa with passport stamp for B-1 (Business) per the U.S. Department of State and Foreign Affairs Manual - section - 9 FAM 402.2-5(E) (4) (U).

If you are unable to participate in your observership as scheduled, please contact our office via email (observer@uab.edu) as soon as possible.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact observer@uab.edu.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing via email to observer@uab.edu.

Cancellation Terms

  1. Observer-Initiated Cancellations
    • More than 60 days before the start date:
      • If the cancellation is due to a U.S. visa denial by the U.S. Embassy, and the observer submits proof of visa application and official denial, a refund of the observership fee will be issued, minus administrative processing fees.
      • Note: The inability to obtain a Visa appointment with the U.S. Embassy within time to receive Visa prior to Observership start date does not qualify under this cancelation policy for Visa refusal.
    • Less than 60 days before the start date:
      • No refund will be issued. The full observership fee is non-refundable.
  2. No-Shows and Withdrawals
    • No refund will be provided for voluntary withdrawal or failure to participate on or after the scheduled start date.
  3. Failure to Complete Pre-Arrival Requirements
    • If the observer fails to respond to communication or complete the required pre-arrival documentation at least two weeks before the start date, this will be treated as a cancellation. No refund will be issued.
  4. Program-Initiated Cancellations
    • If the UAB host physician or department cancels the observership, and the observer declines an alternative date, a full refund of the observership fee will be provided.
    • The $350 application fee remains non-refundable under all circumstances.
  5. Conduct Violations
    • Observers who demonstrate unprofessional behavior, violate UAB policies, or otherwise fail to adhere to program expectations may be removed from the program without refund.

UAB International Medical Education reserves the right to modify, postpone, or cancel an Observership opportunity at its sole discretion at any time due to administrative, operational, scheduling, or unforeseen circumstances. Should an Observership opportunity be canceled for any reason by UAB, participants will receive a full refund of the IVMO Observership fee paid, which includes Observership administration, admissions, compliance processing, and educational activities. The $350 application fee remains non-refundable under all circumstances. UAB shall not be responsible for any costs or expenses not included in the IVMO Observership fee.

Faculty Selected Applicants

If selected by a UAB Faculty, International Medical Education will provide the selected candidate with information on the admissions process. The admissions process must be completed in its entirety before arrival to UAB.

Faculty selected candidates should not make travel arrangements or travel to UAB until they have received clearance to come to UAB from International Medical Education.

Faculty selected candidates will be responsible for completing the following prior to the start date of their opportunity:

  • Securing, paying for and providing details of your lodging for the duration of your opportunity at UAB, including your address and US telephone number. Send to observer@uab.edu
  • Providing a copy of Visa, OPT, and/or EAD. Send to observer@uab.edu
  • Providing and maintaining medical insurance that meets the minimum guidelines as outlined by UAB policy. Please send confirmation of your health insurance to obersver@uab.edu
  • Providing the Medical Clearance Packet and all packet requirements to UAB Occupational Health at ehocchealth@uab.edu. Your email subject line to UAB Occupational Health should read: “International Visiting Medical Observer / UAB Faculty Host Name”.
    • Please note the following within the Medical Clearance Packet:
      • You must provide proof of physical exam performed by physician/provider in home country or U.S. within 1 year of opportunity start date. UAB Occupational Health will not perform the physical exam. 
      • Immunization records: Vaccinations must be verified by a physician or clinician.
      • Upon arrival to Birmingham, AL, additional TB screening may be needed. Fee paid by the visiting observer. Please follow the guidance of the UAB Occupational Health for any / all medical requirements needed.
  • Providing proof of $2,000 US for living expenses and meals
  • Providing proof of UAB HIPPA training completion to observer@uab.edu