Education Benefits & Participation

Education-Related Benefits for Trainees

It is the policy of the Department of Surgery to support and foster the education of trainees, the Division of General Surgery will provide the following items:

• Two (2) sets of the American College of Surgeons SESAP program for use by all residents.
• Two (2) sets of Selected Readings in Surgery for use by all residents.
• mini iPads for General Surgery categorical residents 
• One conference travel for the chief resident (R5)

Please note that the following expenses incurred by trainees may be eligible for reimbursement by either the Division of General Surgery or the Department of Surgery:

• laboratory coats (these are supplied by the hospital)
• surgical loupes
• USMLE examination fees
• Medical Board license application fees
• DEA certificate application fees

Participation in the Education Program

It is the policy of the Department of Surgery to establish and communicate expectations for both faculty and trainees regarding participation in the educational program. Ongoing participation in the educational program is the mutual responsibility of the faculty and the trainees. The following expectations are outlined to enhance the educational process.

• Attendance of Teaching Conferences:
  
  
  • Wednesday conferences are an integral component of the educational program. These conferences are compulsory for all residents. Attendance will be documented by personnel signature recorded on the sign-in sheet. The absence of a signature will be regarded as an unexcused absence. Failure to comply with the minimal attendance standards set forth below or the failure to demonstrate an effort to attend conferences may result in probationary action for trainees.
• Excused absences will be allowed in the following circumstances:
  
  
  • Notification of the Surgery Education Office (310 825-6557) prior to or within 48 hours of the conference date.
  • Scheduled vacation time.
  • Approved absence from the program such as meeting travel, interviews, and leaves.
  • Post call residents.

ABSITE - American Board of Surgery In-training Examination

It is the policy of the Department of Surgery that all residents in the Core Surgical and General Surgery Training Programs are required to complete the ABSITE in January of each year.  The exam is usually scheduled the last Friday of January. 

• If the resident is scheduled for vacation at that time, he/she must plan upon returning to UCLA for the examination, or register at a testing site near their vacation area.
  
  
• Residents will be remediated if scored below 50%ile. 
  
  
• Residents will be placed on internal academic probation if  scored below 30%ile. 
  
  
• Residents will forfeit "Chief Resident" travel if scored below 30%ile consecutively. 
  
  
• Exemptions for sitting for the examination are the following:
• Head and neck surgery residents.
• Urology residents
• Orthopedics residents
• Oral surgery residents
• Vascular surgery residents
• Preliminary residents
• Prior written excuse from the Core Surgical or General Surgery Training Program Director.

Leave

It is the policy of the Department of Surgery to comply with institutional policy regarding housestaff leave. The following program policy regarding leave from clinical duties during training is in effect.

• Vacation: Twenty-eight (28) days of vacation are allowed for each trainee per academic year.
• Residents in the Core Surgical Training Program are assigned (1) four-week block of vacation. Preferences for dates of vacation will be considered but not assured. Second clinical year residents are schedule vacation in two week blocks.  Third clinical year and up will be allowed to schedule vacation in one-week blocks. Vacations may be scheduled by mutual agreement of the residents if the following conditions are met: 
  • Only one resident will be absent from a service at any time.
  • Each hospital must have a chief resident available for coverage. It is not acceptable to have a chief resident assigned to RRUMC to cover the West Los Angeles VA, etc.
  • Changes in posted vacation schedules must be submitted to the Program Director in writing not less than four (4) weeks prior to the desired change. Such changes are subject to approval and are contingent upon the needs for the delivery of appropriate clinical care.
  • Vacations must be taken within the academic year of appointment. No carry over to subsequent years will be made.
  • Non-approved days of leave in excess of the allowed (28) days, will be considered absences without approval and no credit for training will be given for this time.

• Sick Leave: sick leave is accrued at the rate of eight (8) hours per month of appointment. In the event of illness, the resident must notify the chief resident of his/her service, and the Surgery Education Office immediately.
• Family Illness or Death Leave: up to five days of sick leave may be used if the resident is required to be in attendance or provide care because of an illness in the family or attendance is required due to the death of a relative.
• Paid Maternity Leave: two (2) weeks per academic year. Leave in excess of this time, with the exception of sick or vacation time will be leave without pay and may not be credited for training requirements.
• Paid Paternity Leave: one (1) week if the following conditions are met:
  • Written notice given to the Program Director of the intention to take paternity leave at least 30- days prior the expected birth or adoption.
  • The paternity leave cannot be taken later than thirty (30) days after the actual birth or adoption date, nor commenced prior to 30 days before the projected birth or adoption date.
• Medical Leave: may be requested if a medical condition affects a trainee's ability to continue in the training program or to safely or adequately fulfill their patient care responsibilities. Please refer to UCLA Housestaff manual for the necessary procedure to follow.