Elective Clerkship Programs
General Policies and Information
We offer 4th year medical students the opportunity to participate in various clerkships in the departments of Internal Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Otolaryngology, Pediatrics, and Podiatric Surgery. Please read about our different programs and contact the program coordinator when you are ready to apply for a clerkship rotation. We look forward to hearing from you.
Application Procedure & Requirements
The application for a clerkship position at one of our programs generally begins by contacting the program coordinator. They will be able to verify dates for you and give you further instructions. See each individual program for details.
Below are the documentation requirements that all our programs require in advance of your clerkship.
- A letter from your medical school’s Dean that contains the following:
- A verification of your academic good standing
- Approval of your chosen clerkship
- Verification that your school will be responsible for your malpractice insurance.
- Verification of completion of HIPAA training at your medical school
- Written proof of TB screening and vaccinations for Rubella, Rubeola and Hepatitis B.
- A copy of your medical school transcript.
- Completion of other documentation that is provided by the Kaiser program you are applying to. Many of our programs have their own application forms, obtainable on this website or by contacting the program coordinator.
You will apply to most sub-i rotations through VSAS/VSLO. Other elective rotations (e.g. rotations under Educational Tracks) require a separate application which you will find on the website.
Clerkship FAQ
Do you provide housing for clerkships?
Housing, health insurance, and liability insurance are all the responsibility of the student. Our coordinators can suggest some online resources or other information, but they will not find housing for you.
When can I start applying for a clerkship position?
We generally only accept 4th year medical students as clerks, but if you have any questions be sure to call the coordinator of the program you are interested in. Most 3rd year medical students begin to plan for their clerkships during March and April of the preceding year. Dates fill up quickly, so it is in your best interest to make arrangements as far in advance as you can. However, be advised that cancellations are frowned upon (see below).
What is the latest time that I can cancel or change the date of my clerkship rotation?
Cancellations or date modifications should be made as far in advance as possible. Most of our programs have a deadline of two months, but refer to the program’s information page if you are unsure. Cancellations that occur after the deadline are taken seriously, and if no valid reason is given, may result in a call to your Dean of Student Affairs.
What months are available for scheduling clerkships?
None of our programs schedule clerkships during the month of July in order to give our new residents a chance to settle into a routine and focus on their training. Santa Clara programs do not offer clerkships in June for that same reason. All other months of the year are available to schedule clerkships, but they do fill up quickly.
How do I ask for a Letter of Recommendation?
Family Medicine Program Director, Dr. Ted O’Connell, recently published an article giving tips on how to ask for a letter of recommendation. You can read about it here.