If you're arranging an elective in the US here are some handy tips!
For most if not all placements at a US hospital you will need to sort out a certain amount of documentation. A lot of places in the US will only allow you to do an observership (so no hands-on clinical work).
This is notably:
- A medical health check and certificate (can be arranged through your Student Occupational Health Team or your own GP; both may charge a small fee). This is basically to say that you are currently in good health and notes any conditions that you suffer from- this will also be based on being up to date with vaccinations and probably require a CXR (see below)
- Health vaccinations; make sure you have a copy of all of these and you're up to date. The US doesnt really require any additional vaccinations to those which you would have received prior to entering medical school/clinical training
- You may be asked to have a PPD test for TB (not a mantoux) and provide evidence of the result- that you dont have TB!
- A CXR (again to show you dont have TB): this can be arranged via Student Occupational Health/GP at a private radiologists: you have to pay and it costs around £35 (and you get to keep the film: well I did)
- Some may require some evidence of your academic standing from the medical school (a breakdown of your examination results etc). This can take some time to get from the medical school so try and ask for it in good time
In terms of a visa you can enter the US under the visa waiver programme- which means you dont have to go through the hassle of sorting out a Visa.
Do check what the current recommendations are on the Embassy website :
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new.../research.html
and
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/vwp.html
Note the details about passports and check that yours is the right type to enter under this.
You will require a letter from your host institution stating that you are undergoing an elective clerkship (and aren't getting paid for it): details of what the letter must state are again on the Embassy website. You will present this with your passport as you enter the US as well as another form I-94W (which is given to you on the plane to fill out) Again, arrange this letter in good time cause often they wont send it out til they receive all the necessary documentation from you: and post may take a while to get to and from the US.
Also- remember to sort out health insurance (no matter where your going!): make sure it covers you not only for 'falling ill' and the medical costs this may incur, but also needlestick injuries (and subequent HIV prophylaxis) and lost luggage etc. Medical Sickness and other such companies do health/travel insurance that is tailoured specifically to medical electives.
MPS/ MDU offer free indemnity cover if your a member: I think if you are going to Australia then only MPS can cover you or something like that. So contact whoever it is your with and enquire about it so they can send you a letter stating that your covered, by them.
A good way of keeping copies of all the important documents is to scan them in and email them to yourself (or keep them on your laptop if this is going with you on your elective). That way you can access them should you need to provide copies again.
Arrange flights as early as possible: cause you can get them cheaper this way. Shop around because you can get quite different prices depending on where you look. Lastminute.com and STAtravel are pretty good.
Most important tip is to arrange and get things sorted early. And keep in contact with whoever your supervisor is especially in the weeks preceding your elective so you know things are still going according to plan (and they havent forgot your arriving!)
Hope this helps!
Im currently on my elective in New York- so if anyone wants any specific tips relating to this area of the US Id be more than happy to help!
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