Physician Observer Program

Overview

Cleveland Clinic Florida offers physicians from around the world the opportunity to observe our physicians and residents in practice. The Physician Observer Program provides insight into the day-to-day responsibilities of Cleveland Clinic physicians in their respective specialties. For more information about Cleveland Clinic Florida's Physician Observer Program, please email FlaObservers@ccf.org.

Physician Observer Programs

• Anesthesia.
• Breast Surgery.
• Cardiology.
• Cardio Thoracic Surgery.
• Colorectal Surgery.
• Critical Care /ICU.
• Dermatology.
• Endocrinology.
• Gastroenterology.
• General Surgery(MIS).
• Gynecology.
• Gyn-Oncology.
• Hematology and Oncology.
• Hospital Medicine.
• Infectious Disease.
• Internal Medicine.
• Interventional Radiology.
• Nephrology & Hypertension.
• Neurology.
• Neurosurgery.
• Orthopedic Surgery.
• Otolaryngology.
• Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
• Vascular Medicine.

Application Process

The Physician Observer Program offers an orientation to Cleveland Clinic Florida’s model of health care excellence and teamwork.

On the program application, please indicate your preference of rotations and dates available. Our rotations begin the first Monday of the Month and last 4 weeks and can be renewed for an additional 4 weeks with the consent of the supervising physician. The maximum number of rotations is two per observer. (8 weeks)

Application Deadline: All applications must be submitted a minimum of 30 calendar days prior to the start of your requested rotation or you will automatically not be accepted. Due to processing times we cannot accept any application submitted less than 30 days prior to rotations start.

There is a $500 application fee which is NON-REFUNDABLE. Payments must be made through the electronic application system only. If application is submitted outside of listed timeline it will not be reviewed or accepted. In addition to the application fee we require a weekly tuition fee in the amount of $100 per week. This fee is to be paid prior to starting your rotation.

You will be notified in writing either that your request has been accepted or that we cannot accommodate your request. If we are unable to provide your requested rotation, You will be offered a second choice rotation per your application. This does not guarantee placement if all rotations are full. You may ask questions about the program or check the status of your application by sending an email to the Physician Observer Program Office at FlaObservers@ccf.org.

• International Application.
• Domestic Application.

Program Information

Where to report

This information will be sent to you in a confirmation letter prior to your start date.

Identification badges

At your orientation, you will receive a temporary photo ID badge. You must wear this badge at all times while on Cleveland Clinic Florida premises. You will be required to return your badge at the end of your rotation. Failure to return badge will result in non-issuance of certificate and loss of the ability to rotate further at Cleveland Clinic Florida.

Dress code

Observers are expected to dress in a professional manner. T-shirts, jeans, cutoffs, open-toe shoes, and other casual articles of clothing are not permitted. We recommend that you wear comfortable shoes.

Observers must wear a plain white lab coat while on the premises of Cleveland Clinic Florida. You will be responsible for bringing your own white lab coat.

HIPAA privacy & confidentiality

Observers are required to complete HIPPA training. This is found in your online onboarding modules. You will be required to sign and attest to a confidentiality agreement prior to your rotation acknowledging HIPPA training and understanding.

Parking

Parking is provided at no charge. Observers must register their cars (make, model, year, and license plate number) with Cleveland Clinic Florida Security/Facilities by completing a form on the first day of orientation. When parking at Cleveland Clinic Florida, you must display your temporary parking permit on your car’s dashboard. Observers must park in the overflow parking lot (please refer to the parking map that you will receive on the first day of orientation).

Working hours

Clinic (outpatient) services are usually provided from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Hospital services vary in each department. Your department coordinator will assign your working hours.

Meals

You will be responsible for paying for your own meals. Cleveland Clinic Cafe, located on the 1st floor of the hospital, is open during the following hours:

Monday – Friday:
 7 a.m. – 10 a.m. – Hot Breakfast
 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Lunch & Dinner

Weekends & Holidays:
 7 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Continental Breakfast
 11:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. – Lunch & Dinner

Housing

Housing is not provided for observers. You will be responsible for your own accommodations. At your request, the program coordinator will provide you with a list of accommodations in the area.

Cancellation policy

Once your rotation has been confirmed by email, you are expected to complete it  as scheduled. If cancellation is unavoidable, please submit your notification in writing at least 30 days before your rotation is scheduled to begin. Please be aware that your $500 application fee is non-refundable.

Medical library

The A. Lorraine and Sigmund Goldblatt Medical Library is located on the first floor of the clinic. Books and journals do not circulate and are to be used in the library. The library is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is no after-hours access. We encourage you to bring a personal computer to study techniques and procedures learned during rotations while enjoying a quiet and welcoming environment.

Scientific publications

The Medical Library Department produces the Clinic Journal of Medicine. To obtain current or back issues of the journal, please visit the library. You may also be placed on the journal’s mailing list however; there is a charge for subscriptions.

Teaching conferences & postgraduate courses

The following conferences are open to observers and visitors of Cleveland Clinic Florida

Medical grand rounds

Noon – 1 p.m., every Wednesday
Jagelman Conference Center Rooms 1-2

Surgical grand rounds

7 a.m. – 8 a.m., last Thursday of the month
Jagelman Conference Center Rooms 1-2

Contact Us

General questions

If you have questions about your rotation or if a problem arises, please contact the Education Institute and speak with the Physician Observer Coordinator.

We look forward to your rotation and hope your stay with us is an educationally rewarding one. If you have any questions that we did not answer here, please feel free to contact the Research and Education Office – we will be happy to assist you in any way we can.

Cleveland Clinic Florida reserves the right to terminate an observer’s rotation at any time in the event that the observer’s performance jeopardizes a patient’s well-being or if the observer is unable to achieve the objectives of the educational experience.

Further information

Please contact the Department Education and Specialty programs for any additional information.

FlaObservers@ccf.org

Cleveland Clinic Florida
2950 Cleveland Clinic Boulevard
Weston, Florida 333311

Cleveland Clinic Florida shall admit students of any race, color, religion, sex, age, national origins or ancestry, handicap, or status as a disabled or Vietnam veteran, to all rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to all of the students involved in any of the Clinic’s educational programs.

Cleveland Clinic Florida will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, nation origins or ancestry, handicap, or status as a disabled or military veteran, in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, training programs, stipend awards and all other such administrated programs.