Guide for canadian citizens wanting to enter residency training in the usa wojtek Karolak

GUIDE FOR CANADIAN CITIZENS WANTING TO ENTER RESIDENCY TRAINING IN THE USA

• Wojtek Karolak

STEP BY STEP

• Must obtain

• 1.) ECFMG Certification

• 2.) J-1 VISA Sponsorship

ECFMG Certification

• Requirements for ECFMG Certification include:

• 1.) PASS Step 1 and Step 2 CK

• 2.) PASS Step 2 CS

• 3.) Final Medical School Transcript (as of 01.02.2004)

• 4.) Final Medical School Diploma

J-1 VISA

• What is it?

• -a non-immigrant VISA issued to Exchange Visitors for the purpose of education and/or training in the U.S.

• -Certificate of Eligibility to obtain the J-1 VISA is Form IAP-66

J-1 VISA

• Requirements to J-1 VISA sponsorship

• 1.) hold a valid ECFMG Certificate

• 2.) hold a contract or an official letter of offer for a position in an accredited program of GME

• 3.) provide a Statement of Need

STATEMENT OF NEED

• What is it?

• -issued by the Ministry of Health of the country of nationality or last legal permanent residence. It is written assurance that the country needs specialists in the area in which the physician will receive training. It also serves to confirm the physician’s commitment to return to that country upon completion of training in the U.S.

HOW DO I GET THE STATEMENT OF NEED?

• Must pass the MCCEE (Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination)

• Download REQUIREMENTS FOR OBTAINING A STATEMENT OF NEED FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA FOR MEDICAL GRADUATES SEEKING POSTGRADUATE TRAINING IN THE UNITED STATES from Health Canada website –

• Follow the instructions…

MCCEE

• Usually offered three times a year

• All information can be found on the MCC website –

• http://www.mcc.ca

• Must choose the date which is within 9 months of graduation (usually October or November sitting)

ECFMG Certification

• We graduate JUNE but you start work in JULY?

• -this obviously does not give you enough time to apply for VISA

• -what is stopping you?

• -THE ECFMG CERTIFICATE

• -why?

• -because you need your FINAL medical school diploma and transcript

• -so what do I do?...

ECFMG Certification

• -only TWO classes are examinable in 4th year, so…

• -must take Infectious Disease exam early (last two weeks of March)

• -Neurology is at the end of Februaruy

• -the Dean’s Office will give you a copy of your Diploma and Transcript early!

• -use these to apply for ECFMG Certification

• -having the ECFMG certificate you apply for J-1 VISA

TIME LINE

• May

• June

• July

• August

• September

• October

• November

• December

• January

TIME LINE

• December

• January

• February

• March

• April

• May

• June

• July 1st

OTHER SUGGESTIONS

• Pass the MCCEE after Step 2

• Purchase a question book from the MCC – purchase sheet provided in the application package (CAD $20)

• Choose your location wisely!

CaRMS (Canadian Residency Matching Service)

• As International Medical Graduates we must apply for positions in the second iteration of the Canadian Match

• The second iteration is the equivalent of the scramble in the American Match

• http://www.carms.ca