Overview

Junior Resident Year (PGY II)

The emphasis during this year is on the attainment of medical diagnostic and treatment skills through the general ophthalmology clinic rotations.  As the year progresses, the junior resident gains skills in performing minor surgical procedures and also performs as first assistant surgeons on major surgical cases.  In addition, he/she rotates on the glaucoma, pediatric-strabismus, and neuro-ophthalmology services.

Intermediate Resident (PGY III)

During this year, the emphasis is on mastering the management of more difficult medical and surgical cases, as well as being first back up to the junior residents.  Rotations on general ophthalmology, pediatric-strabismus, retina, oculoplastics, glaucoma and neuro-ophthalmology services are taken. Primary surgeon responsibilities are expanded to include strabismus and the residents are introduced to cataract surgery.

Chief Resident Year (PGY IV)

This is the year in which the residents concentrate on mastering the comprehensive case evaluation and management intraocular surgery, as well as other more difficult surgical cases.  In addition, the chief resident has administrative duties such as the coordination of grand rounds, call schedules, and surgical case scheduling.

Formal Didactics

Residents' education is facilitated by weekly lectures, conferences, grand round presentations, and presentations based on the American Academy of Ophthalmology Basic Science Course.  In addition, there are joint King/Drew-Jules Stein (UCLA) Pediatric-Strabismus conferences.  Daily patient rounds with the faculty occur each morning

Rotation Schedule

Applicant Information

• Graduates of medical schools in the United States and Canada accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME).
• Graduates of colleges of osteopathic medicine in the United States accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).
• For American or Canadian Medical School Graduates, regardless of citizenship, graduates of American or Canadian schools are permitted to begin the PGY-1 year without a qualifying examination; however, residents must show proof that a Doctor of Medicine or similar medical degree has been issued to them.
• For International Medical School Graduates (IMG’s), regardless of citizenship, IMG’s must have the following documents to begin PGY-1 training: 1) Written permission from the Medical Board of California to begin training; 2) A passing score from the USMLE or other qualifying examination; 3) A valid ECFMG Certificate; and 4) a copy of their medical school diploma.  This documentation is also required at the PGY-2 level if the PGY-1 year was done in another American or Canadian facility.
• If the resident does not have a California Physician’s and Surgeon’s License, he/she is required by law to be registered with the Medical Board of California on a “Postgraduate Training Registration Form,” L3-A.  Subject to annual renewal, this registration is valid until the first day of the resident’s 25th month of postgraduate training in the USA or Canada (combined).
• The Medical Board of California requires that residents that residents who have had 24 months of training and are continuing training in California be licensed by the first day of their 25th month of training no matter what year level of training he/she is entering.  Any resident failing to meet this requirement will be subject to termination from the program.
• Residents who are International Medical Graduates should contact the Medical Board of California to ensure they have accurate information concerning their individual licensing requirements.
• All residents continuing in training at the PGY-3 level and above must have a California medical license.  A copy of the resident’s California medical license must be on file in order to allow employment as a PGY-3.  Failure to be licensed by the first day of the PGY-3 year will automatically cause an interruption in the continuation of training and suspension of employment without pay until a valid license is obtained or the resident’s employment is terminated at the discretion of the program director.

Professional Liability Insurance
LAC is self-insured and provides liability coverage to residents while working in a County facility.  This coverage during the period of employment continues even after leaving County Service (“tail coverage”).  Similar coverage is provided during resident rotations to affiliating institutions that are designated as part of the resident training program.

Insurance
LAC offers a cafeteria style benefit program under Internal Revenue Code 125.  The program called CHOICES, permits flexibility and tax saving advantages for health insurance costs as well as the initiation of spending accounts, health care reimbursements and dependent care reimbursement. The CHOICES program includes health, dental, life, and accidental death and dismemberment options.  If the resident does not enroll in a CHOICES plan within sixty (60) days of employment, he/she must wait until the next open enrollment period to enroll.  Coverage is effective sixty to ninety (60 to 90) days after enrollment.  These benefits are subject to negotiated change.  Enrollment counselors are available on Registration and/or Orientation days to provide assistance.

Residents who have health, dental, and life insurance coverage prior to beginning County employment should continue this coverage until the CHOICES coverage begins (60 to 90 days after enrollment in the CHOICES plan).  For residents who are not able to continue prior coverage, inexpensive “gap” insurance may be purchased to cover this period.

Health Insurance: Residents are entitled to enroll in one of several programs approved by the County.  Dependents are eligible for enrollment.  Depending on which plan is selected, a minimal fee is charged.

Dental Insurance:  Several dental plans available to choose from.

Life Insurance:  A $2,000 term life policy is provided at no cost.  Additional life insurance may be purchased for the resident and his/her dependents.

Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance:  The County offers Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage as an employee option.  This coverage includes the resident, as well as dependents, for a maximum of $250,000 or 10 times the resident’s annual salary, whichever is less.

Disability Insurance: The County provides Long-Term Disability Insurance, administered through the JCIR.  This coverage is automatic and is provided at no cost to County-employed residents and fellows who are on the County payroll as of July 1. This policy provides group and individual coverage with no sign-up requirements, plus conversion rights.  Further information may be obtained by contacting the JCIR office.

Vacation
In lieu of other vacation or holiday allowances, residents are entitled to 24 days paid vacation each year.  Unused vacation, up to 10 days per year, may be deferred until the end of training and will then be paid.

Sick Time
Sick time is accrued to a maximum of eight (8) days per year.  Residents who have worked at least 12 consecutive months of continuous service and who have not used any sick leave are afforded the opportunity for “cash reimbursement” of up to 24 hours of unused sick leave.  The two time periods are from January 1 to June 30 and from July 1 to December 31.

A “Certification for Cash Reimbursement for Unused Sick Leave” form must be submitted for the appropriate time period for which the resident wishes to receive reimbursement.  Forms are available in departmental office and must be approved and signed by the resident’s supervisor.

Leave of Absence
Should a leave of absence be necessary or desirable for a resident, it is the resident’s responsibility to discuss the impact of the leave on the successful completion of the residency program.  Any resident contemplating a leave of absence should discuss the issue with his/her program director.  The resident should be familiar with any constraints placed on training time by either the Program Requirements of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, by the Specialty Board, or by the Medical Board of California if the resident is unlicensed.

 Professional Leave
The County does not offer professional leave to residents.

Parental Leave
A resident may take sick leave and vacation as parental leave.  In compliance with the Family and Medical Leave Act, 12 weeks of unpaid leave may be taken as parental leave or to provide care for children, parents, or certain relatives.  However, this may affect the overall duration of the residency training necessary to meet the ACGME or Specialty Board criteria for completion of training.  It is the resident’s responsibility to assure completion of the program in a timely manner.

Call Rooms
When on duty, residents are expected to use the designated Call Rooms of the Medical Center that are provided at no charge.

Parking
Parking at no cost is provided, but not guaranteed, in designated areas by the Medical Center.  If hospital parking is used, the resident assumes the responsibility for any loss or damage to his/her vehicle and/or its contents, i.e., personal liability coverage.  Violation of parking rules will result in citations, and repeated violations will result in termination of the resident’s parking privileges.  A $20 deposit may be required for an access card.  There will be a charge for access cards that are lost, stolen, etc.

Beepers
Beepers will be provided to all residents.  A replacement fee of $100 will be charged.  The fee may be waived if the loss is due to conditions identified in the Memorandum of Understanding with the County.

Counseling and Support Services
Counseling and support services are available at the Medical Center through the Mental Health Services for Physicians in Training.  Consult the Director of Graduate Medical Education

Meet Our Residents