UAB International Medical Education welcomes requests for Observerships from international physicians, clinicians, researchers, or students who wish to observe our premier hospitals and clinics.
These activities strengthen the teaching mission and the spirit of collaboration of the UAB Heersink School of Medicine.
We define Clinical Observerships as informal shadowing experiences that allow international visiting medical observers to watch procedures, attend patient rounds and teaching conferences, and observe the use of our cutting-edge technology.
Please note that International Visiting Medical Observers will be under the direct supervision of a UAB faculty mentor/sponsor and will Not include clinical hands-on training, engagement in any form of direct or indirect interactions with patients, privileges, providing consultation or advice related to care, nor compensation.
What you can expect
Your participation in an UAB International Visiting Medical Observership program will:
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Allow you to shadow outstanding faculty, attendees, and chief residents, to gain insight into the delivery of American Medicine as practiced at UAB Hospitals and clinics.
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Refine and enhance your medical knowledge by observing physical exams, participating in diagnosis and care discussions, and attending daily and Grand Rounds.
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Develop your professional communication and interaction as you participate in teaching rounds, journal clubs, and conferences.
Medical Observerships are not a substitute for formal training and any experience gained will not be creditable towards any medical/doctoral degree nor requirements for any specialty board certification. This observership program does not have any bearing on pending/future residency nor fellowship applications.
International Visiting Medical Observer Requirements
Eligibility
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You must be a graduating international medical student or recent international medicate graduate with MD or MD Equivalent (MBBS etc..).
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You must provide a copy of your medical/MD Equivalent diploma and final transcript written in English or accompanied by an English translation.
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You must have passed USMLE Exam – Step 1 and provide Step 1 Score Report
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USMLE Step 2 and Step 3 are preferred but not required
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The maximum length of observership is 8 weeks (two 4-week opportunities). Available observership timeframes are 4 weeks or 8 weeks
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You must prove English language proficiency by passing a TOEFL Test* with the following minimum scores:
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iBT (internet-based) score of 100 with a minimum of 22 on the speaking section
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Paper-based test score of 600
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*TOEFL is waived only if English is your first language, or if your medical school teaches all classes and rotations in English. A document from your school administration must be submitted stating English is the first language used. Good command of the English language will also be determined during the virtual online interview via Zoom, if selected for interview)
Policies and Procedures
The same rules and regulations that apply to University of Alabama at Birmingham faculty and students apply to international observers. Your invitation and participation in our observership program are contingent upon compliant behavior and adherence to all UAB policy and procedures. If your behavior or performance is substandard, you may be asked to leave UAB and required to return to your originating country. No refund will be issued if asked to leave.
This opportunity is strictly observational. Accepted applicants will come to UAB as an international visiting scholars participating in observational clinical training and are STRICTLY PROHIBITED from engaging in any form of direct or indirect interactions with patients. 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.
Completed application and compliance steps should be received six (6) months before the proposed start of the training. If accepted, you will be notified of placement in an available observership slot. If rejected, you will be notified in a timely manner by email. Please be sure to include the correct email address.
If accepted and matched with a UAB Faculty Host, no changes will be allowed in your matched placement.
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 students participating in the IVMS 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) (3) (U).
If you are unable to participate in your observership as scheduled, please contact our office via email as soon as possible.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact observer@uab.edu.
Cancellation Policy
All cancellations must be received in writing by email to observer@uab.edu.
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For cancellation of your observership more than 60 calendar days before the start date of the observership, only half of your observership fee will be refunded, minus any administrative or financial processing fees.
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For cancellation of your observership fewer than 60 calendar days before the start date of the observership, there will be no refund given ($0 - U.S.).
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If you cancel more than 90 days before the start date of the observership due to Visa refusal by US Embassy and you provide proper proof of registration and proof of refusal, there will be a full refund of the observership fee minus any administrative or financial processing fees.
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The application fee of $350 (U.S.) is non-refundable.
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If you fail to respond to emails or fail to complete pre-arrival requirements at least two weeks prior to the start date, UAB will consider that a cancellation and no refund will be given.
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If you choose not to participate and drop out of the program, or UAB International Medical Education is notified of non-participation on or after the observership start date, no refund will be given.
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If unacceptable behavior is exhibited by any international visiting medical observer, we reserve the right to withdraw the international visiting medical observer’s acceptance in the program with no refund given.
Process, Fees, and Application
Process
International visiting medical observers who wish to observe at UAB hospitals and clinics must download and complete the international visiting medical observers application and send the application along with the following in one (1) PDF formatted document in the following order to observer@uab.edu
Required document to submit
Compile in one (1) PDF formatted document in this order (Application will be rejected if not placed in the following order):
- Completed and Signed International Visiting Medical Observers program application
- Personal Statement
- Current Curriculum Vitae (C.V.)
- Copy of Medical Diploma or MD equivalent in English
- Three (3) letters of recommendation/support
- USMLE Step 1 Score report (required)
- USMLE Step 2 and Step 3 score reports (preferred but not required)
- Final Medical School Transcript in English
- Photograph/Headshot
- Biographical Page of Passport
- Copy of US Visa (if in the US or have secured a US Visa)
- TOEFL Test Taker Score Report*
- Proof of payment of the International Visiting Medical Observers program application fee
Applications will be reviewed, and those accepted will be entered into our matching database to assign a potential host. If not accepted or matched, applicants will be notified via email supplied in the application.
Important Note for Applicants
Selections are made based on the number of years and experience since graduation, passion for medicine as reflected in your personal statement, transcript marks, and strength of letters of recommendation/support. Due to the highly competitive application process, only top-ranked international medical graduates will be accepted.
Please note:
Completed applications should be received six months prior to proposed training start date.
If matched, International Medical Education will provide the matched applicant with an Observership packet via email. This Observership packet must be completed in entirety before arrival to UAB. Matched applicants should not make travel arrangements or travel to UAB until they have received clearance to come to UAB from International Medical Education.
Observerships slots and mentors are dynamic and consistently modified, therefore we are unable to publish a static list of observership opportunities.
Matched Applicants
Matched Applicants will be responsible for:
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Securing and paying for housing, transportation, and meals.
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Providing and maintaining medical insurance that meets UAB International Observership standards.
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Providing proof of Physical Exam performed by physician/provider within 1 year of your training/activity start date (home country or US)
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Providing documentation of current immunizations (Vaccinations must be verified by physician or clinician):
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MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
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Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Acellular, Pertussis)
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Hepatitis B Series
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Varicella (Chickenpox)
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Meningococcal
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TB Chest X-ray will be performed on your first day in Birmingham, Alabama
Fees
A non-refundable application fee of $350.00 (U.S. Dollars) is required with the application. Payment of a non-refundable application fee does not guarantee acceptance.
Observership fees per 4-week slot are $3,995.00 (U.S. Dollars) and are required to be paid before an acceptance letter is issued. Housing, transportation, and meals are not included in the observer fee.
Payment of observership fees must be made by major credit card or bank wire.
Observership fee only charged if matched and offered a slot.
Apply
Download the UAB International Visiting Medical Observership application.
Complete applications at least 6 months prior to your preferred projected start date.
Return the International Visiting Medical Observers application and send the application along with the following in one (1) PDF formatted document in the following order to observer@uab.edu
Required document to submit
Compile in one (1) PDF formatted document in this order (Application will be rejected if not placed in the following order):
- Completed and Signed International Visiting Medical Observers program application
- Personal Statement
- Current Curriculum Vitae (C.V.)
- Copy of Medical Diploma or MD equivalent in English
- Three (3) letters of recommendation/support
- USMLE Step 1 Score report (required)
- USMLE Step 2 and Step 3 score reports (preferred but not required)
- Final Medical School Transcript in English
- Photograph/Headshot
- Biographical Page of Passport
- Copy of US Visa (if in the US or have secured a US Visa)
- TOEFL Test Taker Score Report*
- Proof of payment of the International Visiting Medical Observers program application fee
It is critical for you to follow the instructions as listed above. If you submit an incomplete application or fail to comply with these instructions, your application will not be reviewed and will automatically be rejected.
Rejected application will not be eligible for resubmission.
Observership slots are limited.