POLICY FOR RESIDENT SELECTION
AHEC NORTHWEST
FAMILY MEDICINE RESIDENCY
It is the policy of the AHEC Northwest Family Medicine Residency program to incorporate both objective and subjective guidelines in the selection of applicants for residency. It is our policy that we only accept applications via ERAS from applicants who are participating in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). The program requires that all applicants meet uniform eligibility standards, detailed below. Applicants must be able to perform in the residency as delineated in the Resident Job Description.
ELIGIBILITY
I. Applicants with the following qualifications who have successfully completed standardized medical tests (i.e., USMLE or COMLEX) are eligible for consideration for selection to the AHEC Northwest Family Medicine Residency Program:
A. Graduates from a United States or Canadian Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) accredited medical school;
B. Graduates from an American or Canadian Osteopathic Association accredited medical school;
C. Graduates from a medical school outside of the United States and Canada who meet one of the following qualifications:
1. Hold a current valid certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) prior to appointment, or
2. Hold a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in a United State licensing jurisdiction in which they are training.
D. Graduates of medical schools outside the United States who have completed a Fifth Pathway program provided by an LCME-accreditedmedical school.
II. Graduates from a medical school outside the United States and Canada will be evaluated by the following criteria:
A. Certified transcript from the medical school of training with verifiable contact person from that school.
B. Confirmation of M.D., D.O. or equivalent degree from that school.
C. Hold a current valid certificate from the Education Committee for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG).
D. Documentation of successful completion of one year clinical work in a supervised setting in the U.S. medical system.
E. Not more than five years have elapsed since completion of medical school training or three years away from the clinical practice of medicine as a physician.
F. The ability to reside in the U.S. for 3 years continuous training. If selected, you must submit a copy of a visa or other document establishing legal authority to reside in the U.S. for 3 years. Such documentation will be provided and a start date established based on visa status.
III. All applicants must demonstrate all the following:
A. Proficiency in reading printed and cursive English.
B. Proficiency in writing (printing) English text.
C. Proficiency in understanding spoken English on conversational and medical topics.
D. Proficiency in speaking English on conversational and medical topics.
IV. Applicants who meet these minimal requirements will be rated in all of the following areas:
A. Performance on standardized medical tests. More emphasis will be placed upon clinical performance than upon basic science performance, although both are deemed important. Documentation of successful completion of USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 must be presented prior to the submission date to NRMP of the Rank Order List.
B. Academic performance in medical school. More emphasis will be placed upon clinical performance than upon basic science performance, although both are deemed important.
C. Recent clinical training or experience. This experience should involve “hands-on” medical diagnosis and treatment, and not merely observation of clinical practice.
D. Demonstrated ability to choose goals and to complete the tasks necessary to achieve those goals.
E. Maturity and emotional stability.
F. Honesty, integrity, and reliability.
G. Motivation to pursue a career in Family Medicine, i.e. commitment and ability to complete the entire training program in Family Medicine at the AHEC-NW Family Medicine Residency.
H. Prior research and publication experience (optional).
I. Writing ability (personal statement)
J. Three letters of recommendation from preceptors or other clinical faculty who have worked with the applicant.
K. Dean’s Letter.
L. Medical school transcript.
V. Those applicants who are invited to appear for a personal interview will be rated on:
A. Oral communication skills.
B. Personal interactions.
C. Medical knowledge and approach to management in one or more hypothetical general medical cases.
D. Ability to think quickly and to organize and make clinical decisions.
E. Elements contained in Section IV.
VI. We only accept applications through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) which submits application materials from applicants and medical schools to residency program directors using the Internet. After review of your application materials, we will contact you regarding an interview. Applicants will be ranked and selected through the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP).
Please call Janice Huddleston at 1-800-292-2541 or (479) 521-0263 if you have any questions or email her at jhuddleston@ahecnw.uams.edu
Applicants to the program are informed in writing of the terms and conditions of employment and benefits including financial support, vacations, professional leave, parental leave, sick leave, professional liability insurance, hospital and health insurance, disability insurance, and other insurance benefits for the residents and their family, and the conditions under which living quarters, meals, and laundry or their equivalents are to be provided.
Approved by UAMS AHEC GMEC 06-01
Revised 08-03
Submitted for Approval of Revision to UAMS AHEC GMEC 09-03
(no changes made by the committee 09-17-03)
Reviewed and Revised 07-05; Reviewed and Revised 09-06