Benefits and Terms & Conditions for Appointment (Employment) in Residency Training Programs

The following information describes benefits and the terms and conditions of employment for all residents and fellows, collectively termed as "residents".  It is updated annually and must be provided to all applicants who present for an interview.  Upon acceptance to a program this information is again given in written format. The "resident" must sign an attestation that he/she has read and will abide by the terms & conditions provided herein.

Pre employment Drug Test: UAMS has a drug testing policy which includes pre employment, random and for cause testing. All residents accepted into residency/fellowship programs at UAMS College of Medicine (UAMS COM) must submit to a drug screen. Appointment or acceptance into the training program will be finalized only upon completion of a negative drug screen. The procedure for submitting the sample for testing is provided after Match Day.

Background Check:  Appointment or acceptance into the training program will be finalized only upon completion of a criminal background check. 

All candidates for residency positions will be notified upon invitation for interview (or during telephone interview if an in-person interview will not be held) that all appointments to residency positions are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check.  This notification will include a representative sample of unfavorable information that might prevent appointment as a UAMS Resident. 

All applicants for UAMS residency positions are required to authorize the performance of a criminal background check (CBC) at the time the position is offered, or in the event of matched applicants, at the time that the match result is received.

The resident will be asked to disclose any of the below listed situations prior to the obtaining of the CBC.  If the CBC returns negative information, the resident will have an opportunity to challenge erroneous information, or explain accurate negative information, prior to a final decision.  Failure to disclose relevant and accurate information that is later discovered on a CBC adds an additional measure of concern about the applicant’s (or resident’s) qualification for appointment as a resident physician.

The following CBC findings may be inconsistent with appointment as a resident physician in UAMS College of Medicine programs.  If any of these findings are identified on the CBC, the offer of a position may be withdrawn, or employment terminated. Please note the following list is representative, but not inclusive, of reasons an applicant may be denied housestaff status.
 

• Felony convictions that may be reasonably related to the practice of medicine.

• Felony convictions related to the illegal possession, use or distribution of drugs or controlled substances.

• Felony convictions or misdemeanor convictions involving violence against another person.

• A pattern of repeated felony or misdemeanor convictions that calls to question the individual’s ability or willingness to comply with the law, particularly as related to one’s future ability to practice medicine.

• Registered sex offender status (or legal requirement to register but not registered)

• Arrests where the final legal status has not yet been determined.

• Dishonorable discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States

• Exclusion from participation in Medicare or similar programs.

Applicants to whom any of the findings above may apply are encouraged to discuss the situation with the program director prior to acceptance of a position or rank order listing.

Financial Support: Stipends for residents are competitive with other state schools in the southern region. The PGY- 1 level stipend for 2010-2011 is $46,263.

Vacations: Residents receive 21 days (only15 week days i.e. M-F may be taken) of paid vacation each year. This cannot be "carried over" from one year to the next.  Each program will inform its residents/fellows of the specialty Board regulation on leave used vs. Board eligibility.

Professional Leave: This leave is determined by the individual department. However, time spent attending professional meetings or taking board examinations or other examinations is not counted as vacation if the activity is approved by the Program Director.

Sick Leave: Residents have 12 days of sick leave for medical reasons during each year of training. Each program will inform its residents/fellows of the specialty Board regulation on leave used vs. Board eligibility. The sick leave cannot be "carried over". Sick leave in excess of 12 days requires special review by the Associate Dean and Program Director. 

Medical Professional Liability Coverage:
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, through the Medical College Physician's Group, provides each resident with medical professional liability coverage for their activities within the residency/fellowship program. The coverage is written on a claims-made basis. Each resident/fellow is provided coverage in the amount of $500,000 per medical incident with an annual aggregate of $1,000,000. In addition to the limits of liability, the cost of legal defense is also provided. Hence, each resident/fellow is protected against claims for medical negligence for acts and/or omissions surfacing as a result of their UAMS COM approved activities. The coverage provided does not extend to activities outside the residency program. For this reason, any resident involved in moonlighting activities should secure his/her own professional liability coverage for the outside activities. For more information on Risk Management and Prevention click here, or contact the Faculty Group Practice Risk Management Department at 614-2077.

Medical Dental, Basic Life, and Basic Long Term Disability insurance coverage for the resident:  click here  for detailed information or contact OHR at 501-686-5650 

Meals: Food is available in the teaching hospitals for residents/fellows who take in-house call.

Laundry: Five white lab coats are provided for the entire residency/fellowship period. No laundry service is provided at the institutional level, although this may be provided by individual departments.

Accommodations: Call rooms are provided for residents/fellows who stay overnight. The location and access to the call rooms will be supplied at the beginning of each rotation at each institution. No other living quarters are provided.

Counseling/psychological support services: The Arkansas Employee Assistance Program (AEAP) 686-2588 provides professional counseling and/or referral to community resources for a wide range of problems and situations including stress management, financial concerns, alcohol and other drug abuse, elder care, job/career issues, parenting, legal issues, marital/family problems and personal/emotional concerns. UAMS has pre-paid the entire cost of the EAP so that the resident/fellow is not charged for services provided within the EAP. For the EAP website click here.

Housestaff Mental Health Service [HMHS] 526-8286 is provided by the UAMS College of Medicine for residents. The HMHS assures timely access to a complete mental health program including diagnostic evaluation; medication management; counseling; and preventative programs.  Services may be accessed through either the HMHS or the AEAP.

Employee Health/Student Preventive Health Services (EH/SPHS): The EH/SPHS provides the MMR vaccine, an annual TB skin test and chemoprophylaxis medication if indicated following blood or body fluid exposures for residents. All residents must have a TB skin test annually while in the program.

Computer Facilities: All residents/fellows have access to several computer facilities at UAMS including the Learning Resource Centers in the main Library, and the Academic Computing Laboratory classroom in the Education II building. Various computer classes are available. For more about the Learning Resource Center click here.

Orientation/Registration: All incoming residents/fellows are expected to attend Orientation/Registration scheduled the third week in June. The three-day orientation includes many important sessions about policies, communication and teaching skills, cost containment, and quality assurance,  infection control, physician impairment, risk management, medical documentation, electronic medical records and benefits. All residents/fellows must complete the registration process on day 3 in order to begin their education in hospital rotations on July 1.

International Medical Graduates (IMG): Visas are handled through the Office of Human Resources (OHR). Phone 501-686-5650. The OHR also provides an International Medical Orientation Handbook which contains useful information about the US and Arkansas culture. Training programs may assign incoming residents/fellows a mentor within the department who assists with the acclimation process.

Moonlighting: Moonlighting is defined as any professional activity arranged by an individual resident/fellow which is outside the course and scope of the approved training program. A resident/fellow may "moonlight" only with the written approval of his/her Program Director. While moonlighting, the resident/fellow must follow the GME Committee policy on moonlighting which requires that he/she have  separate malpractice insurance.  Click here for policy.

Restrictive Covenants: Residents/fellows in programs sponsored by the UAMS COM are not required to sign any type of non-competition guarantee.

Closure/Reduction: In the event that the College of Medicine and/or Program Director decide to reduce the number of residency/fellowship positions in any program, the residents/fellows will be notified immediately. An attempt will be made to reduce the number of positions over a period of time so as not to affect the residents/fellows currently in the program. If this is not possible, the Program Director will assist the residents/fellows in obtaining a position in another residency/fellowship program. Click here for the policy. 

Cardiac Life Support Certification: Residents/fellows who are members of code teams at University Hospital, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System or Arkansas Children's Hospital must have current ACLS certification or its equivalent (PALS or ATLS). All residents/fellows who rotate through Baptist Medical Center or St. Vincent Infirmary must have current ACLS certification or its equivalent.  Each resident/fellow must supply the date of current certification to his/her program director. Click here for the policy.

Requirements to begin the training program: In order to begin a  program sponsored by the UAMS COM, all applicants must meet the requirements for eligibility and selection as specified by the policy of the Graduate Medical Education Committee on Recruitment and Appointment and the program's criteria and must supply proof to their program director; complete a negative drug screen as specified by the UAMS Medical Center Drug Testing policy; complete the Intranet HCCS HIPAA Training Module (level II); review the packet of information sent following Match Day; and return all registration forms to the Director of Housestaff Records by the designated date (usually June 1 prior to the start of the academic year on July 1).   Supplying misinformation on any of the documents is grounds for disciplinary action, including immediate dismissal from the program.

Annual Records and Requirements to continue in a training program: Prior to the beginning of each academic year, a resident must complete the Annual GME Survey; the Physician Health Questionnaire; the Attestation about policies and procedures;  the annual Agreement of Appointment and return these to the Director of Housestaff Records by the designated date (usually June 1 prior to the start of the academic year on July 1).  Residents/fellows who return the forms and complete the Annual GME Survey by the deadline will receive the increase in stipend for the next PGY level with the first paycheck at the new PGY level.  Residents/fellows who do not complete the survey by the deadline will not receive the increase in stipend.  This procedure will remain in effect until the resident/fellow completes the survey, then the increase in stipend will be effective in the subsequent pay period. 

Web-based Courses:  The Graduate Medical Education (GME) Committee supported the development of web-based courses in order to assist programs with the six general competency curricular requirements and ensure that residents/fellows have a baseline knowledge of ethical issues, medical legal issues, Foundations in Systems Based Practice and the ACGME Competencies, and fatigue/sleep-deprivation. Residents and fellows must complete four courses within the first six months of their training at UAMS. A score of 80% or greater must be obtained on each quiz contained in each course. Residents/fellows are given an unlimited number of attempts to take the quizzes, and the highest score obtained will be recorded. 

Use of Records for Educational Research: Many UAMS COM faculty members and staff are engaged in on-going efforts to monitor and improve the undergraduate and graduate medical school curriculum. In addition, our accrediting agencies expect us to assess ourselves on an on-going basis and participate in the community of scholars sharing what has been learned. The public dissemination of knowledge is one of the responsibilities of our profession. To this end, such things as test scores, faculty and preceptor ratings, clinical skills and other performance-based assessments, and follow-up surveys and evaluations will be analyzed to address such questions. If the information is released publicly, it is only released in an aggregated form to maintain confidentiality. Individual students and residents/fellows are not identified. Personally identifiable information is kept confidential, and the privacy of students and residents/fellows is protected to the maximum extent allowed by law. If you have any questions concerning this policy, please contact the Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education.

Sexual Harassment and Anti-Discrimination:  The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is committed to providing an academic and employment environment that fosters excellence.  Harassment of any kind, racism and discrimination subvert this mission and will not be tolerated.  All students, residents/fellows, physicians and other staff and employees shall abide by the following policies: Sexual Harassment policy link, Anti-Discrimination policy link.

Official Means of Communication:  E-mail is the official means for transmission of information between the College of Medicine Dean's Office/Director of Housestaff Records and all residents.  E-mail information and instructions are regarded the same as any written hand copy and will often be the only form in which this information is delivered.

All residents have an electronic mail box in the UAMS e-mail system and are members of the COMHS Group distribution list maintained by the Director of Housestaff Records.  Each resident/fellow is responsible for regular (e.g. weekly) checks of his/her e-mail.

UAMS Drug-free Awareness Statement & Practitioner Health Questionnaire: At the beginning of the program, all residents/fellows receive the UAMS Drug-free Awareness Statement and acknowledge receipt by signing the receipt form and returning it to the Director of Housestaff Records. All residents/fellows must complete the Practitioner Health Questionnaire and return it to the Associate Dean for GME. This questionnaire is updated yearly at the time of contract renewal. Questionnaires are confidential. Questionnaires with concerns are reviewed by the UAMS or ACH Medical Staff Health Committees, which recommend a plan of action/follow-up for the resident/fellow and reviews this with the respective program director and departmental chairperson.

Resident Organization/Resident Council:  All residents/fellows are automatically members of the Resident Organization.  The leadership body is the Resident Council.  The Chair and Vice-Chairs of the Resident Council are peer-elected and represent the Resident Organization on the Graduate Medical Education Committee. 

Sample of the Resident Agreement of Appointment (contract)
Agreement made this (day) of July, (year) by and between the University of Arkansas for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences ("UAMS") and  (name), M.D. ("Resident").

 In consideration of the promises, conditions, and undertakings hereinafter contained, the parties agree as follows:

·           Resident is hereby appointed to a position as Resident in (program) for a period beginning (date) and ending (date)
            (appointments are generally for one year).  UAMS, through this appointment, agrees to provide:

·           Supervised instruction and experience in keeping with the standards established by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and the American Board of Medical Specialties with the understanding that the hours of duty and the content of the educational phase of the residency, including the duration and sequence of assignments to clinical, laboratory or ambulatory care facilities are determined by the Program Director.  In addition, the Program Director will determine the length and scheduling of vacation periods.  Information concerning vacation time will be made available to the resident at the beginning of the academic year;
 

·           A total of five (5) laboratory coats during the entire training period;

·           Food and living quarters while performing in-house call;
 

·           Professional liability insurance coverage, including “tail coverage”, will be provided in an amount and with coverage to be determined by UAMS for acts or omissions of the Resident in the scope and course of his or her duties hereunder and the provisions applicable to such coverage are contained in the insurance contract;
 

·            A stipend of $ (XXXXX) for the year of this contract 

.           Medical, Dental, Basic Life, and Basic Long Term Disability insurance coverage as described in the UAMS Office of
Human Resources Benefits for Housestaff document attached to this agreement. This coverage is provided only when the resident enrolls within 31 days of the initial appointment to the training program or during any other open enrollment period.

 ·          Basic Housestaff Long Term Disability insurance coverage.  The Resident shall participate and shall enroll at the
            time of registration and appointment to the training program. 

·            Professional, parental, and sick leave as specified in the policies of the Graduate Medical Education Committee and contained in the College of Medicine Resident Handbook; 
 

·           Access to counseling, medical, and psychological support services in accordance with the provisions of, and subject to the limitations of, the UAMS Medical Benefit Plan, the UAMS Employee Assistance Program, and the UAMS Employee Health/Student Preventive Health Services.  Questions concerning such services should be directed to the Program Director, the Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education of the College of Medicine or the UAMS Office of Human Resources;
 

·           A certificate for the appropriate period of satisfactory Residency performance;
 

·           The Resident will be accorded due process consistent with applicable policies and procedures of UAMS, the College of Medicine and the Department in which the Resident is appointed.  Policies and procedures whereby complaints of sexual harassment and exploitation may be addressed are attached.

The Resident, through this appointment, agrees or understands:

 ·        That this appointment is conditioned upon successfully passing a pre-employment drug screen in accordance with the
          UAMS Drug Testing Policy (Policy 3.1.14) prior to the initial training year;

 ·         To accept the provisions described above and set forth hereinafter;
 

·         To complete and return all forms in the registration packet prior to the appointment period;
 

·         To comply with all terms and conditions of appointment and all policies of UAMS, the College of Medicine, the
          Graduate Medical Education Committee and any facility or department to which Resident is assigned or in which 
          Resident is working.  All policies of the Graduate Medical Education Committee contained in the College of Medicine
          Resident Handbook, including the policies on physician impairment and substance abuse, evaluation and promotion,
          duty hours, moonlighting,  leave of absence and effect of leave on completion of the training program are attached;

·          To comply with the College of Medicine's duty hour monitoring systems and accurately report duty hour assignments in these
           systems;

 ·        To complete all medical records according to the Rules and Regulations of the participating hospitals;

 ·        To complete the Annual Graduate Medical Education Survey and assigned web-based educational modules;

 ·        To participate in providing appropriate medical care for all assigned patients;

 ·        Not to accept fees from patients;

 ·        Not to engage in employment outside the training program without the written approval of the Program Director;

 ·       That this agreement may be terminated for cause in accordance with the procedures set out in the policies of the
         Graduate Medical Education Committee of the College of Medicine as may be changed or supplemented from time
         to time by the Graduate Medical Education Committee.  Any such changes or supplements during the period of this
         contract shall become effective when promulgated or adopted by the Graduate Medical Education Committee and when
         notice thereof has been furnished the Resident;
 

·         That he/she is free of any conflicting obligation(s) during the period of appointment;
 

·         That the appointment herein is for the period indicated and on the terms and conditions set forth hereinabove and any
          subsequent appointment for additional periods of residency training are wholly within the discretion of the Program Director
          and/or the Chairman of the resident's training program.  In the event Resident is not to be appointed for a subsequent period,
          Resident will be furnished written notice of non-reappointment at least four (4) months prior to the expiration of the period of
          this appointment, provided, however, that in no event shall the failure to furnish such notice operate to extend this appointment
         or to confer any rights upon the resident to a subsequent appointment.

Licensure.  Resident represents that he or she has been awarded the M.D. degree and has completed, or will complete, the

requirements for licensure in Arkansas.  If Resident is unable to affirm the foregoing, reasons therefore are stated in a written

attachment to this Agreement.

Entire Agreement - Arkansas Law Controls.  This Agreement is executed in the State of Arkansas and shall be interpreted in

accordance with Arkansas law.  This agreement shall not be amended, changed or modified except by an Agreement in writing signed

by all parties.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this agreement on the date and year first above written.

Last modified: 11/16/09