Visiting Observerships

The University of Virginia Department of Radiology & Medical Imaging offers several observer experiences. They are designed to help the visiting observer understand how physicians and health educators teach medical and health profession students, residents, and fellows in an academic clinical setting. Observerships allow students, trainees, practicing physicians, and others to see the delivery of health care in an outpatient or hospital setting, study professional communication within a health care delivery team, observe how electronic medical records are used for healthcare communication, and learn from faculty in academic and departmental conferences and meetings. Observer interactions are typically in an outpatient clinical or reading room setting. A typical schedule is Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM (no weekends), though each division’s hours may slightly vary. Radiology & Medical Imaging Visiting Observer Programs are offered during September, October, November, the first two weeks of December, March and April.

UVA Radiology & Medical Imaging Observerships are under direct supervision of a sponsoring University of Virginia physician. Sponsors must be a licensed faculty member (physician). A division, department, or staff member cannot serve as the sponsor.

An observership DOES NOT include access to PACS, EPIC or other clinical systems, participation in direct or indirect patient care or management; nor constitute medical training.

An observership is NOT a clerkship, nor an experience that should confer academic credit. All physician observers will receive a certificate after completing their observership.

Visiting observers will have specific educational opportunities, though the observer’s experience level and length of the observership may affect them. Curriculum commonly includes:

• Becoming familiar with the U.S. medical system
• Attending rounds with a physician, if applicable
• Gaining experience (or observing) working in a multidisciplinary healthcare team
• Attending educational sessions such as lectures, case conferences, workshops, grand rounds that the sponsor attends
• Discussing (or observing) interactions with the sponsor and/or division faculty
• Being introduced to scholarship activities and lifelong learning, if applicable
• Building relationships with medical students, trainees, and faculty

If you are seeking an appointment as a visiting faculty member or research scholar, please visit the two links below to learn more about these positions.

• Prospective Visiting International Scholars | International Students & Scholars Program
• UVA Policy on Appointment of Visiting Faculty and Scholars

Visiting observers of 10 days or less (not to exceed 10 calendar days within a 12-month rolling calendar) are classified by the medical center as Observers and are individuals at least 16 years of age who have a bona fide educational and/or career exploration interest for observing patient care and/or other services.

The medical center classifies visiting observers of greater than 10 days (not to exceed 6 months/180 days within a 12-month rolling calendar) as Mentees. Mentees must be at least 18 years of age and are individuals who are independently seeking a work-based learning experience in health care and services for career exploration purposes or to supplement education. Mentees do not include individuals seeking paid internships or internships for academic credit.

Radiology & Medical Imaging international visiting observers must obtain a visitor (B1/B2) visa to come to the United States for medical education. If accepted as visiting observer, the Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging will provide an acceptance letter that may be helpful in obtaining a visitor visa. The Department can only sponsor J1 visas for visiting faculty and scholars.

Observers must follow medical center health screening policy. All visiting observers between October and April will be required to submit documentation of current seasonal influenza vaccination. Visitors spending more than 10 days will be required to submit evidence of vaccination or positive titer for measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox, hepatitis B, in addition to TDAP vaccination, and negative TB status. 1 or 2 doses of COVID vaccination is recommended, but not required.

Visiting observers must be financially self-sufficient for the entire duration of their appointment. The Observer appointment is an unpaid position, therefore transportation, housing, health insurance, and living expenses are the responsibility of the observer.

Radiology & Medical Imaging Visiting Observer Programs are offered during September, October, November, the first two weeks of December, March and April. There are no visiting observer programs available during the months of January, February, May, June, July, August, nor the last two/three weeks of December. The program is offered for a period of one day up to six months.

For observations of 10 days or less, complete applications must be submitted a minimum of one month in advance. For observations of 11 days or more, complete applications must be submitted a minimum of three months before the proposed start date. For those seeking an appointment as a visiting faculty member or research scholar, please submit your complete application with all documentation a minimum of three – six months before the proposed start date.

Note: For those requiring a visa, please allow adequate time to obtain your visa, which may include scheduling a consulate visit.

All observers are responsible for finding their own sponsor. Please visit UVA Provider Search to locate potential sponsors. The provider’s address should be 1215 Lee Street, Charlottesville VA.

After you have selected a potential sponsor(s), email the following to uvaradobserverships@uvahealth.org:

• Name(s) of potential sponsor(s)
• Dates requested and length of time
• Any additional relevant information

We will then contact the prospective sponsor(s) with your request and keep you updated regarding the status of your request.

If the faculty member agrees to sponsor you, we will notify you regarding how to proceed with your application. If the faculty sponsor does not agree to be a sponsor, we cannot accept your  application and the request is denied until you have successfully obtained a faculty sponsor.

Once you have been notified to proceed with your application, please complete a visiting observer application. Applications submitted without an approved faculty sponsor will be rejected.

Visiting medical students, international visiting resident/fellow, and physician application requirements include:

• Completed Application
• Current Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Cover Letter (should include a statement of purpose)
• Two Current Letters of Recommendation
• Copy of Passport Biographical Page
• Certified Medical Diploma, if applicable
• ECFMG, if applicable
• USMLE transcript, if applicable
• English Proficiency
• All documents not originally in English must be translated by a certified translation agency at the applicant’s expense
• Proof of Health Insurance and Visa Approval required after acceptance into program
• Availability to schedule virtual interview

Note: For observership purposes, “visiting medical students” does not include students participating in the AAMC Visiting Student Learning Opportunities Program coordinated through the UVA School of Medicine.

The visiting observer is responsible for locating and paying for lodging, meals, and transportation for the duration of their opportunity at UVA.

Visiting observers must obtain and pay for their own parking via UVA Parking and Transportation.

Cancellation Policy

All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing via email to uvaradobservership@uvahealth.org.

• Observer-Initiated Cancellations
  • If you need to cancel your observation, as a professional courtesy, please notify us as soon as possible.
• Failure to Complete Pre-Arrival Requirements
  • If the observer fails to respond to communication or complete the required pre-arrival documentation at least two weeks before the start date, this will be treated as a cancellation.
• Program-Initiated Cancellations
  • If the UVA host physician or department cancels the observership, we will work to reschedule your observation.
• Conduct Violations
  • Observers who demonstrate unprofessional behavior, violate UVA policies, or otherwise fail to adhere to program expectations may be removed from the program.

Visit UVA Radiology and Medical Imaging to learn more about all of our education programs.