University of California San Francisco
UCSF School of Medicine UCSF Medical Center

Clinical Training Appointments for Residents/Fellows from Outside Institutions

UCSF welcomes visitors from other institutions for short-term electives and observational experiences. Both types of appointments require registration with the Office of Graduate Medical Education (GME). All required paperwork must be submitted to the Office of GME via the training program administrator at least one month prior to requested start date.

If you are interested in any of the visiting appointments listed below and you meet the eligibility requirements, or if you're unsure whether you qualify, please refer to the attached UCSF Program Administrator contact list and contact the program administrator of the program or department in which you're interested in visiting. The UCSF Program Administrator will directly work with each visitor on their paperwork and the UCSF Program Administrator will ultimately submit the visitor's final, completed paperwork to OGME through the online system for review at least 1 month prior to the requesting start date. Please be advised that if your home institution requires a Letter of Agreement (or Affiliation Agreement) with UCSF to be completed, completed paperwork to OGME must be submitted at least 4 months prior to the requesting start date.

Short-Term Elective/Rotation (Participate in Patient Care)

Residents and clinical fellows with current appointments at other institutions may participate in a short-term rotation at UCSF Health, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, and the San Francisco VA Medical Center if they are able to show proof of medical malpractice insurance (minimum of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 aggregate) and receive a salary from their home institution.

Visiting Scholars (Observations Only)

A UCSF GME visiting scholar appointment is solely for current and active residents, fellows, or Non-MD visiting students in a graduate healthcare profession (that does not fall under any of the other UCSF schools of study) who wish to come to UCSF to observe in a clinical or research setting. A GME visiting scholar appointment is strictly observation-only; there is no direct or hands-on patient care or involvement.

For those who meet the above requirements (or want to verify eligibility) and wish to apply to be a GME visiting scholar, they must work through and with the applicable UCSF GME training program and program administrator. It is at the program’s discretion whether or not they are accepting visiting scholars. If so, the program administrator will work with the applicant on the timing and requirements.

The UCSF GME program administrator is responsible for submitting all completed requirements to the UCSF Office of Graduate Medical Education no less than 30 days before the requesting start date via the existing process for these learners in UCMe. UCSF OGME will not review any applications submitted less than 30 days before the requesting start date.

Physicians in independent practice, faculty, post-doctoral scholars and others who do not meet the GME visiting scholar requirements may still be allowed to be visiting scholars. However, the UCSF department is responsible for managing that process and ensuring the visitors to their departments/services/divisions meet UCSF COVID visitor requirements and institution/health system requirements. These individuals should reach out to the department administrator for more information regarding the department’s status on visiting scholars and their departmental process.

Visiting Non-MD Students (Participate in Patient Care)

Students in advanced healthcare programs from other Institutions who would like to train at UCSF and do not qualify for registration in the Schools of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, or Dentistry may be eligible for appointment through the Office of Graduate Medical Education if they are able to show and submit proof of medical malpractice insurance provided by the student’s home institution (minimum of $1,000,000 per occurrence).

Post Doctoral Observers

Post Doctoral Scholar Observational Experience

With prior approval from their principle investigators and home departments, and sign off from the Graduate Division, Post Doctoral Scholars may apply for clinical observational experiences through completion and submission of the appropriate paperwork.