Terms & Conditions of Employment for Residents

Appointment

The School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) offers, and the Resident Physician accepts an Appointment at the SMHS in (program) for a period of one (1) year, unless terminated sooner in accordance with the provisions of the Resident Agreement or the Resident Manual, as amended from time to time (the "Term"). No appointment beyond the Term is promised, assured, or to be implied by an agreement. Reappointment, non-renewal of appointment, or non-promotion shall be determined in accordance with the specific policies set forth in the Resident Manual.

Financial Support

SMHS shall pay Resident Physician annual financial support according to the PGY level and the salary scale approved by the SMHS in equal bi-weekly installments during the Term, unless the Agreement is terminated, in which case, the Resident Physician shall not be entitled to any SMHS financial support or benefits under the agreement as of the effective date of the termination.

Resident Manual

The Resident Manual may be viewed online at the following site:

Resident Manual. 

The Resident Manual provides detailed information about the benefits and obligations of Resident Physicians who participate in the Program. The policies, terms, and conditions of the Resident Manual are incorporated by reference into a Residency Agreement, and Resident Physician will acknowledge receipt of the Resident Manual and agrees to abide by its policies, terms, and conditions as they may be amended from time to time. The following provisions identify some, but not all, of the requirements set forth in the Resident Manual.

Resident Benefits

Among other things, the Resident Manual describes the benefits SMHS affords Resident Physicians during the Term. In particular, the Resident Manual addresses vacation and paid leave, family and medical leave, leave of absence, professional liability insurance, disability insurance, health insurance, dental insurance and prescription benefits, life insurance, retirement benefits, call rooms and meals or equivalents,  medical and psychological counseling and other support services, payment of DEA registration fees, reimbursement for certain medical licenses, accommodation for disabilities, and other potential benefits. Moonlighting and Grievance Procedures and the Physician Impairment Policy and process are also set forth in the Resident Manual, which will provide you with your Residency Agreement if accepted into the program.

SMHS Obligations
  • Educational Experience/ACGME Standards
    The SMHS agrees to provide a suitable academic environment for the educational experience of the Resident Physician and graduate medical education or graduate clinical training, which substantially meets the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education ("ACGME") standards and its Residency Review Committee. The SMHS will conduct regular evaluations of the learning and competence of the Resident Physician, including a combination of supervised, more complex, and independent patient evaluation and management functions and formal educational activities, and will maintain a confidential record of such evaluations.
  • Harassment
    The SMHS agrees to comply with the University Policy on Equal Employment Opportunity and Sexual Harassment. A copy of the policy is set forth in the Resident Manual.
  • Resident Manual
    The SMHS will make reasonable efforts to notify the Resident Physician of any material changes in the Resident Manual. The SMHS current notice practice is to e-mail changes to the Resident Manual to the University e-mail address of the Resident Physician maintained by the Office of Graduate Medical Education. The Resident Physician’s responsible for monitoring his or her University email account for information on any changes. The Resident Manual is posted to the GME website at Resident Manual.
Resident Obligations

By entering into an agreement, the Resident Physician agrees to undertake many academic and clinical obligations in exchange for the educational and academic opportunity to participate in the Program at PGY Level identified in the Residency Agreement.

The Resident Physician agrees to fulfill the following obligations:

  • Clinical and Educational Requirements. To use his/her best efforts, judgment, and diligence in fulfilling the duties, tasks, responsibilities, and any other clinical and educational requirements, of whatever nature, in a professional and appropriate manner, as assigned to the Resident Physician during the duration of the Program. Resident Physician acknowledges that a failure to fulfill such requirements may result in disciplinary action, including but not limited to termination, as outlined in the Manual.
  • Residency Application. To provide complete, accurate, and truthful information regarding his/her training, education, and qualification for the appointment as a Resident Physician and his/her PGY level. The Resident Physician understands that any false statement, misrepresentation, misstatement, or omission regarding his/her training, education, or qualifications may result in immediate termination of his/her appointment as a resident physician and/or retroactive invalidation of credit for time completed during the term of the resident agreement.
  • ACGME Requirements. To accept the general responsibilities set forth in the ACGME Institutional and Program Requirements and to use his/her best efforts to fulfill all of those obligations set forth therein. 
  • Policies and Procedures. To comply with all policies and procedures set forth in the Manual and the policies and procedures of all hospitals or facilities at which he or she rotates.
  • Licensure. To obtain and maintain in good standing appropriate licensure in all jurisdictions as required by the program curriculum. The Resident Physician shall apply for and obtain a Medical Training Licents (MTL) or apply for and obtain a full, unrestricted license to practice medicine in the District of Columbia, in accordance with state and local law, as described in the Resident Manual or otherwise communicated to the Resident Physician.
  • OSHA Training. To complete annual OSHA training provided by the SMHS no later than July 31 of each academic year.
  • HIPAA Training. To complete HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) training provided by the SMHS and the hospitals/facilities at which he or she rotates.
  • Duty Hours. To comply with duty hour requirements of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and in accordance with the institutional policy outlined in the Manual.  Resident Physician shall comply with reporting duty hours as required by the program director and/or the GME Office.
  • ECFMG. To provide, if applicable, a copy of the certificate issued by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates prior to the commencement of his/her appointment.
  • Visas. Non-immigrant alien residents or fellows will be sponsored through ECFMG under the J-1 Visa program. H-1B visas are not considered appropriate visas for residents or fellows and are not sponsored by the University.
  • Employment Eligibility. To satisfactorily demonstrate his or her identity and authorization to work in the U.S. in accordance with applicable law no later than the commencement date of his/her appointment.
  • Compliance with Law. To comply with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations.
  • Criminal Background Check (CBC). Resident physicians may be required to complete a criminal background check and authorize the release of the results to the appropriate academic and/or clinical personnel. The offer of admission within any GME program is contingent upon the results of the CBC. Resident Physicians may be required to undergo additional CBCs during their tenure in the training program as deemed necessary by The George Washington University SMHS and/or its affiliated institutions.
  • Drug Screen (DS). Resident physicians may be required to complete a drug screen and authorize the release of the results to appropriate academic and/or clinical personnel. The offer of admission within any GME program is contingent upon the results of the DS. Resident Physicians may be required to undergo additional DSs during their tenure in the training program as deemed necessary by The George Washington University SMHS and/or its affiliated institutions.
  • Dress Code. To comply with the dress code set forth in the Manual.
  • Medical Clearance. To obtain a medical clearance from a physician prior to participating in any clinical activities in accordance with the SMHS policy as set forth in the Resident Manual.
  • Medical Records. To complete all discharge summaries and all other medical records related to the activities assigned to the Resident Physician in accordance with the policy outlined in the Manual. Failure to complete discharge summaries, operative reports, and all other medical records related to the activities as required may result in the SMHS taking disciplinary action, including but not limited to sanction, suspension or termination. Resident Physician further agrees that he/she will not remove patient medical records from the place of his/her rotation and will comply with any and all policies and procedures of the SMHS, teaching center or health care facility with regards to maintaining patient confidentiality and ownership of medical records. Failure to abide by this requirement is considered a material breach of the resident agreement and may result in the SMHS taking disciplinary action.
  • Cooperation/Assistance in Litigation. Resident Physician will assist and cooperate fully with the SMHS in the defense of any and all claims and litigation brought against the University, its representatives and attorneys, its SMHS, teaching faculty and employees, or teaching centers or health care facilities in which Resident Physician rotates and their employees, including but not limited to, the physician faculty, residents, interns, students, and agents in any way relating to or arising out of Resident Physician’s activities in the Program. Resident Physician agrees to make himself/herself available in the District of Columbia for litigation preparation, meetings, depositions, and trial testimony. This obligation shall survive the termination or expiration of the resident agreement and appointment in the Program.
  • Inventions. All inventions, discoveries, and improvements invented, developed, or discovered by the Resident Physician while performing his/her duties and responsibilities under the residency program of SMHS shall be and remain the sole and exclusive property of SMHS. The Resident Physician shall promptly disclose in writing to his/her Program Director and Department Chair all such inventions, discoveries, and improvements and shall execute from time to time, during or after the termination of the appointment, any documents, including without limitation, applications for letters of patents and assignment thereof, as may be deemed necessary or desirable by SMHS, to effectuate the provisions of the Resident Agreement. All inventions, discoveries, and improvements invented, developed, or discovered by the Resident Physician outside the scope of his/her responsibilities under the residency program are not the property of SMHS and issuer not controlled by the Resident Agreement. This provision shall survive the termination of the Resident Agreement.
Other Essential Requirements

In addition, the Resident Physicians must comply with the following standards:

 

  • Develop a personal program of self-study and professional growth with the guidance of teaching staff.
  • Participate in and provide safe, effective, and compassionate patient care under supervision commensurate with their level of advancement and responsibility.
  • Participate fully in the program's educational activities and, as required, assume responsibility for teaching and supervising other residents and students.
  • Participate in activities and programs of the SMHS, or those of its teaching centers or health care facilities, involving Medical Staff and adhere to their established practices, procedures, and policies.
  • Participate in activities of the SMHS, or those of its teaching centers and health care facilities, committees, and councils, especially those related to patient care review.
  • Constantly strive to improve the quality of care provided to patients.  Quality care requires that at all times, the Resident Physician must be aware of the risks, discomforts, and expenses as well as the benefits to which a particular test or procedure subjects a patient.  The Resident Physician should perform or order only those tests, procedures, or medications that would benefit the patient based on the patient’s medical history and current condition.  Alternative treatments should be reviewed and considered to select the best plan of action for each patient’s circumstances.
  • Comply with Federal regulations governed by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) that entitle each patient to privacy and confidentiality regarding his/her condition and care.
  • Comply with the published principles of the medical/dental and the rules of the Judicial Council of the American Medical Association and, if applicable, the American Dental Association.
  • Comply with all applicable policies, bylaws, and rules and regulations of the Medical and Dental Staff of The George Washington University Hospital, the SMHS, and any other hospital or teaching center to which the Resident Physician may be assigned for clinical rotation.
  • Return all SMHS property and settle all outstanding financial obligations with the SMHS prior to the expiration or termination of the resident agreement or completion of the Program.
  • Promote and uphold the mission of the SMHS as found in the Manual.
  • Submit confidential written evaluations of faculty and educational experiences and make recommendations, where appropriate, for improvement of processes to continuously increase the quality of service and delivery.
  • Continue to develop field expertise through attending conferences, seminars, academic course work, and other appropriate methods.