Visa Categories

An Observership Experience will allow international students, residents, physicians, and other professionals to:

• Understand how a physician and/or health educator teaches medical and health professions students, residents, and fellows in a clinical setting,
• Study professional communication with patients and members of the health care delivery team,
• See the delivery of health care in an outpatient or hospital setting,
• Observe how electronic medical records are used to document health care and communicate with patients,
• Learn from academic and departmental conferences and meetings.

To ensure the safety of Jefferson’s patients, the community, and colleagues, to comply with accreditation requirements, and to protect Jefferson’s intellectual property, the following are permitted and restricted activities.

Permitted Activities

• Attend educational sessions such as lectures, case conferences, workshops, grand rounds,
• Observe educational activities taking place in the community, clinical, or research setting.

Restricted Activities

•  Hands-on patient care, such as engaging in physical examinations, performing procedures, or obtaining a patient history,
• Access to Jefferson’s electronic and other medical records,
• Conduct or perform research or have access to Jefferson research laboratories. A research program agreement with Jefferson is necessary to participate in research experiences.

Observers must meet all of the following requirements prior to participating in an Observership Experience. These include:

• Approval from the Hosting Department,
• Completion of the relevant “Observership Experience Agreement”,
• Completion of all Human Resources requirements, including a job application and background clearance,
• Completion of all Occupational Health requirements, including blood work, drug screen, vaccination documentation (these may be done remotely),
• Comprehensive evacuation/repatriation/medical insurance for the duration of the Observership Experience (Health Insurance Plans for International Observers and Visitors).

Individuals interested in an Observership Experience must first obtain approval from the Jefferson Hosting Department. The Office of International Services does not place individuals in an Observership Experience. The Jefferson Hosting Department must oversee the request.

Please note it can take up to three months for an Observer to meet onboarding requirements. Observers who do not allow three months may not be able to begin their Observership Experience on the anticipated start date.

Steps

• Jefferson Hosting Department agrees to provide an Observership Experience and submits a "Sponsorship Request" via the International Service Portal
• The Office of International Services and Export Control will review the Sponsorship Request
• If initial requirements are met, the Office of International Services will send an email to the individual with instructions on the onboarding process and copy the Hosting Department and Human Resources
• Observer completes and submits Occupational Health & Human Resources requirements
• Occupational Health & Human Resources review submitted documentation
  • If all documentation is received and the Observer meets all requirements, then,
• Human Resources will:
  • Notify the Hosting Department
  • Notify the Observer that they have been accepted as an Observer and confirm they are cleared for the Observership Experience and provide instructions on obtaining an Identification Badge
• The Hosting Department should contact the Observer with a schedule and logistics for the experience
• Observer obtains Identification Badge and reports to Hosting Department
• Observer uploads I-94 document into the International Services Portal and views recorded orientation video of Jefferson and Philadelphia

Hosting Department and Hosting Supervisor must meet all of the following requirements prior to agreeing to “Host” an International Observer. These include:

• Ensure that the Observer has submitted the following documentation:
  • If a student, a letter confirming enrollment and good standing at home university,
  • If a resident, physician, or other health professional, a letter confirming employment at a home organization
• Coordinate and administer the Observational Experience
• Designate a Supervisor for the Observational Experience
• Ensure that the Observership Experience is limited to attending educational sessions such as lectures, case conferences, workshops, and grand rounds and observing educational activities taking place in the community or clinical setting (inpatient, outpatient, operating room)
• If the Observer will be in the clinical setting, ensure that the Observer does not: 
  • have hands-on patient care experiences, 
  • directly engage in any physical examinations, 
  • perform any procedures on a patient, 
  • obtain a patient history, or 
  • make any entries in the patient’s medical record
• Ensure that the Observer’s research experience is limited to observational learning experiences; Observers may not conduct or perform research during the Observational Experience
• Approve each Observer’s assignments
• Ensure that the Observer does not impair the employment opportunities of others; does not provide services that are the same as services provided by paid staff; and shall at all times be treated as a visitor here predominately for their own benefit
• Ensure that the Observer maintains confidentiality of the patient and Jefferson's information during the Observational Experience
• Discuss permitted and prohibited activities with involved Faculty member(s)
• Ensure each Observer assigned to the Hosting Department demonstrates qualifications comparable to those of individuals the Observer would join in educational experiences
• Maintain a complete roster of Observers
• Retain all records regarding the Observational Experience
• Notify Observer when and where they should report for Observership Experience
• Provide the opportunity for feedback and/or performance assessment for the Observer upon request