Inpatient Medical Student Clerkship

Anesthesiology

The anesthesiology elective is designed to give the medical student exposure to basic principles of the anesthetic management of patients in the operating room. The majority of time will be spent working with a senior resident and sharing in his/her case management. The Department of Anesthesiology at Virginia Mason has particular expertise in regional anesthesia, complex pain management, and point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS). Students will be exposed extensively to these techniques, in addition to becoming familiar with principles of anesthesiology and perioperative medicine.

Available fourth year rotation dates:

  • July 25-Aug. 22, 2021
  • Aug. 23-Sept. 19, 2021
  • Sept. 20-Oct. 17, 2021
  • Oct. 18-Nov. 14, 2021

For further information about the Anesthesiology rotation or process, please contact Elana Ross.
 

Diagnostic Radiology

The Diagnostic Radiology elective is designed to give medical students exposure to basic issues and clinical practice in diagnostic radiology. Due to the limited number of available student rotations, this elective is intended for students interested and planning to apply for diagnostic radiology residency programs. Goals include developing knowledge of routine imaging exams and reviewing the indications and choice of imaging modalities for commonly encountered clinical scenarios. Depending on the medical student’s clinical interests, the rotation can be tailored to participation in certain sections of the department as availability allows. Attendance at all daily radiology resident morning and noon conferences is expected. A limited number of 2-week medical student rotations spots are offered at the discretion of the program directors.

Available fourth year rotation dates:

  • Aug. 24-Sept. 11, 2022

For further questions about the Diagnostic Radiology rotation or process, please contact Becca Smith.

General Surgery

The general surgery elective is designed to give fourth year medical students direct exposure to the defined categories of general surgery. Similar to the residency program, students are assigned to one or two surgeons and participate in the pre-, intra-, and postoperative care of the surgical patient. At least one day per week is spent in the outpatient clinic, with the student responsible for initial consults and postoperative visits. The student will scrub on virtually all surgical cases on their service, and he/she will work closely with the chief and junior residents on the service to provide primary care for the postoperative inpatients. Attendance at daily morning conferences is expected.

Available fourth year rotation dates:

  • Aug. 2-27, 2021
  • Aug. 30-Sept. 24, 2021
  • Sept. 27-Oct 22, 2021
  • Oct. 25-Nov 19, 2021

For further questions about the General Surgery rotation or process, please contact Makaiya Simmons.
 

Internal Medicine

During the medicine-sub I, students perform as an Intern Resident on a unit-based medicine wards team. This experience is designed to enhance a student's management skills and knowledge within Internal Medicine, as well as provide autonomy with patient care under the guidance and support of a team of residents and an Attending Hospitalist. Students are responsible for following their own patients daily and formulating and carrying out the daily plan of care. There are several unique aspects of this sub-internship including high acuity of patient care and robust learning on a Progressive Care floor. The student will see a wide variety of complex conditions including acute respiratory failure, sepsis, alcohol withdrawal, and GI bleeding. Didactic sessions include noon conference, case reports, resident lead teaching and Pulmonary rounds on the unit. Additionally, the sub-intern is expected to present a patient case at noon conference at the end of their rotation.

Available fourth year rotation dates:

  • Aug. 1-26, 2022
  • Aug. 29-Sept. 23, 2022
  • Sept. 26-Oct 21, 2022
  • Oct. 24-Nov. 18, 2022

For further questions about the Internal Medicine rotation or process, please contact Jennifer Johal.
 

Urology

The urology elective is four weeks long and designed to give fourth year medical students direct exposure to the defined categories of urology and urologic surgery. During the rotation, students have the opportunity to gain exposure to a broad array of urologic conditions, procedures and surgeries. Students will be on service with residents and fellows and will participate in the pre-, intra-, and postoperative care of the surgical patient. At least one day per week is spent in the outpatient clinic. When not in the clinic, the student will scrub on virtually all surgical cases on the service to which they are assigned, and he/she will work closely with the chief and junior residents on the service to provide care for the postoperative inpatients. Attendance at daily rounds and didactic conferences is expected.

Available fourth year rotation dates:

  • July 5-July 30, 2021
  • Aug. 2-Aug. 27, 2021
  • Aug. 30-Sept. 24, 2021

Application Deadline:

  • 6 weeks before the rotation start date

For further questions about the Urology rotation or process, please contact Joy Mala.

Application Process Timeline

  • Applications due by: April 29, 2022. Please note, the application cover sheet and supporting documentation are mandatory; incomplete application packets will not be considered. If you are unable to provide required documentation, please contact the appropriate program coordinator.
     
    *Urology applications are due 6 weeks before the rotation start date. Please contact Joy Mala if you have further questions.

Application Process for all Inpatient 4th Year Clerkships

  • Visiting students must be candidates for the MD or DO degree and in good standing in a school accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education or the Education Department of the American Osteopathic Association.
      
  • Applicants must email an application packet to the appropriate coordinator with the following:
    • A completed application cover sheet
    • A short statement from your dean's office stating you are a student in good standing, documentation of liability coverage, and permission from your school to take this elective
    • Two (2) letters of recommendation on letterhead stationary
      • If you have agreed not to read your letters of recommendation, your writers can email the coordinator their attached letter directly.
            
  • Upon approval of the rotation, student will be required to submit onboarding paperwork and a Virginia Mason Letter of Agreement (LOA not required for University of Washington or Washington State University students applying through Graduate Medical Education process). The program coordinator will provide this paperwork at that time.
     
  • Virginia Mason is unable to provide meals, parking or housing for students. However, there are a number of nearby hotels, many of which rent by the week and/or month.