Are you interested in exploring an opportunity for an elective or observership in the UAB Department of Neurology? Previous observers have continued their training in graduate, medical, postgraduate residency and physician assistant programs or accepted positions in academic programs.

Focus on Neurology

Clinical faculty in the Department of Neurology in the UAB Heersink School of Medicine focus on delivering high value, comprehensive, patient-centered neuroscience care through multidisciplinary collaboration, innovation and research, education and service. UAB outpatient neurology clinics offer clinical diagnostic and management services to all subspecialities of neurology. UAB inpatient neurology services include general neurology, vascular neurology, consultation neurology and epilepsy monitoring learning opportunities.

Expectations

Observers can gain research experience in outpatient clinics by working with neurology faculty, fellows, residents and UAB HSOM medical students. As with any type of training activity, observers benefit the most when they contribute a lot of time and effort. Ideal observers will not only show motivation to become future neurologists and neuroscientists but also do substantial additional reading and take part in didactic activities. These activities help observers to understand the U.S. healthcare system and to learn critical thinking skills and principles of complex medical management.

We want to provide outstanding experience while learners are in UAB neurology clinics. There is an expectation that while the learners are participating in their experience, they will exhibit a high level of maturity, sensitivity to patient concerns, and a commitment to patient confidentiality. Neurology faculty sponsors are responsible for the conduct of the learners.

Opportunities

This program offers a number of opportunities to observers at all levels.

Please look at the categories below to see the information about applying for these opportunities in the UAB Department of Neurology.

Non-UAB Medical Students from U.S. M.D./D.O Medical Schools

Actively enrolled students in the LCME accredited U.S. M.D. and D.O. medical schools are eligible to take away electives at UAB Neurology during their MS4 year. Away electives — also called visiting electives — are short-term courses typically offered at teaching hospitals that are either an AAMC-member institution or have at least one Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or American Osteopathic Association (AOA)-accredited program.

Many U.S. medical schools, teaching hospitals, and health systems use a centralized application service called the Visiting Student Learning Opportunities Program (VSLO). UAB HSOM participates in VSLO and all senior medical students from participating institutions, who are interested in a neurology elective, are encouraged to apply through this program.

Participating institutions

Student guide to VSLO

For VSLO assistance: call (202) 478-9878 or contact them online

UAB Students (Undergraduate, Graduate, MSTP, Master’s, and Postdoctoral students)

UAB students from any program (other than UAB Heersink School of Medicine program) desiring to pursue a clinical observership need the following:

• Must have a Department of Neurology faculty sponsor
• Shadowing experience only
• In general, the duration is less than 5 days
• Outpatient only
• Observer needs to complete HIPPA and confidentiality training (view TKC Observer packet)
• TKC Observer packet must be signed by the observer and the faculty sponsor
• Faculty sponsor is responsible for the conduct of the observer during their entire time at TKC
• Observers need to provide proof of TB skin test and flu vaccine
• Observers need to bring their Blazer ID card with them to the clinic

Local High School / College Students

Local high school or college students (other than UAB) desiring to pursue a clinical observership need the following:

• Must have a Department of Neurology faculty sponsor
• Shadowing experience only
• In general, the duration is less than 5 days
• Outpatient only
• Observer needs to complete HIPPA and confidentiality training (view TKC Observer packet)
• TKC Observer packet has to be signed by the observer and the faculty sponsor
• Faculty is responsible for the conduct of the observer during their entire time at TKC
• Observer needs to provide proof of TB skin test and flu vaccine
• Observer will be issued a temporary blazer visitor card; they need to bring their visitor blazer ID card with them to the clinic

International Medical Students

It has always been an important focus of UAB to grow international collaborations and to promote the global exchange of knowledge to create and sustain relationships with physicians and scientists across the globe. UAB HSOM has developed programs that serve that purpose well, as international medical students will eventually return to their home countries and will use their UAB experience to professionally advance and become academic and medical leaders. The goal of the program is to help international students develop their skills in diagnostic and treatment knowledge; neurological history taking; and physical examinations, as well as foster the development of positive professional attitudes. The UAB Department of Neurology participates in the UAB HSOM International Visiting Medical Students program.

UAB Neurology program does not accept any applications directly. Please note that, in accordance with the institutional policy, the Neurology faculty cannot approve/sponsor any international medical student directly for observership.

Interested international medical students can learn more about the program and apply here.

International Medical Graduates

UAB HSOM also offers International Visiting Medical Observers program for trainees who have already graduated from their home country’s medical school and are interested in learning about clinical neurology practice in the U.S. UAB International Medical Education offers observerships from international physicians and clinicians who wish to observe our premier hospitals and clinics. This opportunity is strictly for observing clinical processes, with no direct patient contact, communication, or hands-on clinical training. Engaging in any direct interactions with patients, including diagnosis or treatment, is strictly prohibited.

UAB Neurology program does not accept any applications directly. Please note that, in accordance with the institutional policy, the Neurology faculty cannot approve any international medical student directly for observership.

Interested international medical graduates can learn more about the program and apply here.