How many positions do you have available?
We offer 6 PGY-1 positions.
How do I apply to your residency training program?
We accept applications through the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS). We do not accept paper applications. Visit How to Apply for more information.
How many letters of recommendation are required?
We require three letters of recommendation. At least one letter needs to be from an attending psychiatrist.
Do you accept applications outside the Match system?
No, all our PGY-1 positions will be filled through the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP).
The ERAS application asks me to include a personal statement. What type of information should I include and how long should it be?
The personal statement should be approximately 500 words in length. This is an opportunity for you to tell us about yourself and why you are choosing the field of psychiatry, your strengths, challenges, and professional goals.
Is there a deadline for submitting applications?
Yes: November 15, 2019. We begin reviewing applications in September and interview applicants from October through January. We do not interview during the weeks of November 25, December 23 and 30.
Do you have a board score requirement?
No, all applications are reviewed independently.
Do you have openings for residents beyond the first year?
We do not have openings for residents beyond the first year. If we do, we will update our website.
Is there a Research Track?
Yes, all PGY-1 residents will have a robust scholarly activity curriculum, and we ask that those interested in the research track commit by the end of their PGY-1.
Is there an opportunity to Fast Track for residents going into Child & Adolescent Psychiatry?
We encourage residents to pursue their professional goals and do not limit the number of residents in a class who choose to short-/fast-track in the CAP Fellowships.
How do I sign up for a psychiatry elective at KP San Jose?
Medical students interested in our Sub-internship should apply through Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO). We review applications from March through May. Our current electives are in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry.
Does your program review applications from individuals who have completed a prior residency?
Yes.
How diverse is the patient population?
Very diverse. Our patients are our neighbors and come from a diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. We serve patients with Medi-Cal (Medicaid), Medicare, and Kaiser Health Insurance and our medical center currently has a catchment of about 260,000 patients.
When does outpatient psychiatry and psychotherapy training begin?
Outpatient psychiatry training begins in PGY-2 with child & adolescent and geriatric psychiatry rotations. The continuity psychotherapy clinic also begins in the PGY-2. Residents conduct initial evaluations and provide medication management and brief supportive psychotherapy for outpatients. Residents begin formal psychotherapy training in PGY-2.
Is moonlighting allowed?
Moonlighting must be approved by the program director for PGY-3 and PGY-4 residents provided all academic and professional requirements are met.
What is the Call Frequency?
Call frequency varies by rotation. Most inpatient, hospital (i.e. consultation-liaison) and emergency psychiatry rotations will have call. There is two weeks of night float on internal medicine. The emergency psychiatry rotation may have overnight call and shift work.
Is there a cut-off score for the USMLE exams?
We require that you pass all the steps of the USMLE that you have taken.
Is San Jose a nice place to live?
San Jose is the capitol of Silicon Valley and is diverse, innovative, and a great place to live. It has a vibrant downtown area; the restaurant scene is well-established. We have a host of hiking and biking trails, with surfing and skiing nearby. Santa Cruz, Tahoe, and the vineyards are just short jaunts. It’s a short commute to San Francisco and Oakland/East Bay. The weather is great (sunny 300 days of the year), the diverse population, the cultural and tech establishment provides something for everyone. San Jose is listed as one of the cites on the “best place to live” and “healthiest cities in America.”
Do you require clinical experience in the US?
Yes, we require supervised clinical experience of at least two-months in psychiatry in the United States along with reference letters from your supervising attending.
How do I apply as an International Medical Graduate?
Applications are accepted through ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates). In addition to the minimum requirements for medical residency applicants, international students are required to submit:
• Foreign Medical Graduate (ECFMG) Certificate
• California Medical Board Postgraduate Training Authorization Letter (PTAL) or the PTL (effective January 2020)
The ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) has an excellent FAQ that describes the entire application process for both American/Canadian graduates and foreign medical graduates.