International Medical Internship Program
Policies & Procedures
1. Introduction
Baptist Health South Florida (BHSF) and Baptist Health International Center of Miami are pleased to offer the Internship Programs of continuing medical education opportunities for the areas of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics.
BHSF is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation and Healthcare Organization (JCAHO), and the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to sponsor continuing medical education for students of medical school.
Under the accreditation standards, certain rules apply for accepting “International Interns” for training programs. This policy has been developed to establish some uniformity and to provide guidance to clinical departments that choose to offer Internship in Baptist Health South Florida.
2. Definition of “Internship”
“Internship” is defined as a supervised opportunity for students to work outside the academic setting for the specific purpose of gaining medical knowledge. An internship experience is a primary component of virtually all training programs in the helping professions. An internship represents the culmination of graduate training.
This program is available for medical students who are studying in one of the universities affiliated with Baptist Health International Center of Miami or are related with one of its affiliated hospitals.
3. Goals
The goal of this “Internship” is to provide a strong clinical experience as well as a basic overview of the American medical system as it is carried at BHSF. Interns can expect to participate with their American colleagues in the daily operation of a medical center that enjoys an outstanding international reputation for interdisciplinary coordination of education, diagnosis and treatment. Baptist Health International Center of Miami believes that an important goal of international collaboration is to exchange knowledge, develop and maintain relationships with universities and hospitals from around the world.
4. Eligibility for Requirements
Internships may be granted on a case-by-case basis to students who are graduating from medical school and who are members of Baptist Health International Center of Miami affiliation program. The Internship may be for a period three months or less in the specialty of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. The time frame may vary but will not be extended.
5. Application Process
The following requirements must be met and submitted to Baptist Health International Center of Miami Internship Program.
• Letter of intent to Baptist Health International Center of Miami requesting participation. This letter should include an objective statement outlining the field of interest and length of internship. This letter should be sent at least three (3) months in advance of the period of appointment.
• Each Intern must obtain his or her own Visa that will remain in force for the entire duration of the Internship.
• Evidence of proficiency in English or Spanish.
• Letter from the Dean or Director of the Medical school authorizing the Internships.
• CV .
• Evidence of health insurance coverage for emergencies, illness, etc. throughout the duration of the internship.
• Health screening with documentation of immunization status.
• Personal and emergency contact information
• All documents must be officially translated into English.
6. Rules for Internships
• The intern must obtain prior written authorization from the Baptist Health International Continue Medical Education Medical Director.
• The intern must sign the Baptist Health South Florida “Acknowledgement of Confidentiality”.
• The intern must use a temporary ID badge at all times when visiting Baptist Healthcare Facilities, and must abide by all policies, rules, regulations, and bylaws of Baptist Health South Florida.
• It is required that all interns wear Lab Coat and dress in a professional manner while in Baptist Healthcare Facilities. It is recommended to use comfortable shoes.
• The intern must be supervised by a faculty physician or designee (other faculty from the same department) at all times when in the presence of patients.
• The intern must introduce him/herself to the patient as an intern, and must request the patient’s permission to be present at the time of clinical visit, procedure, or other patient services. If the patient declines to allow the intern presence, the intern must leave the area.
• The intern is not allowed any other direct patient contact. Contact is defined as physically touching, talking with, performing a medical history and/or examination, counseling (patient or patient’s family/friends), assisting in surgery or any other procedure, or otherwise interacting with patients, either individually or in the presence of others.
• The intern cannot make patient chart entries (electronic or hard copy). The intern may not make copies of patient charts (paper or electronic).
• No stipend support, compensation, insurance coverage, benefits, or housing will be provided by BHSF or the teaching hospitals to the intern or any of the intern’s dependents.
• The intern is not a resident medical staff member at BHSF, and must not represent him/herself as such. The experience is properly characterized as an “Internship”.
• The following activities are permissible for Interns:
a) Participation in grand rounds, seminars, or other didactic activities.
b) Participation in case conferences or chart rounds. Interns who are engaged in this activity may be asked to sign a document acknowledging the responsibilities of confidentiality.
c) May intern walking rounds with the supervising faculty physician or designee.
d) May view and discuss patient interactions with the supervising faculty physician or designee, if the patient has agreed to permit observation.
e) May view and discuss videotapes of patient evaluations, if the patient has authorized observation and videotaping.
f) May utilize software and hard copy educational resources (teaching software, books, and journals) from our Medical Library. Access to the internet from computers in the library, or departments will be in accordance with current standard.
• Upon satisfactory completion of the internship, the sponsoring program will present the Intern with a certificate of completion.
For additional information, please contact Mario A. Mendez, M.D., Chief Medical Officer-AVP at MarioMen@baptisthealth.net, or 786-467-5463. You may also contact Paola Santizo, Physician Relations Specialist, at MSantizo@baptisthealth.net, or 786-596-2373.