Elective Clinical Clerkships
Elective Clinical Clerkships are conducted under the close supervision of preceptors that must include direct patient care. Students are expected to assess patients, formulate differential diagnoses, interpret diagnostic tests, and/or contribute to clinical decision-making in real-time. Procedural skill development, such as suturing, airway management, and invasive diagnostic techniques, requires hands-on practice. These clerkships emphasize immediate patient interaction and observation, ensuring that students acquire the level of competency needed for residency training and independent medical practice. Components of patient care may also be performed and assessed virtually. Each Regional Coordinator will contact their students regarding their interests and identify in-network opportunities based on Preceptor availability. Fulfilling a medical specialty interest may require students to leave their assigned region in order to augment students' preparation for residency training.
Elective clerkships generally range from one to eight weeks. Elective clerkships are requested by the student and arranged in conjunction with the 4th-year clinical coordinators at the approval of the Office of Clinical Education.
Fourth-year students are required to complete a minimum of 8 clinical credit hours of clerkships at ACGME approved residency programs, though more are encouraged.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of all pre-clinical (Year 1 and Year 2) coursework, and post initial attempt on COMLEX Level 1 with passing score reported to clinical education. No student may be assigned to a family member for the purpose of assessment or evaluation of performance. If the student is inadvertently assigned to a family member, the student must report the relationship to the Assistant Director of Clinical Education Resources.
Virtual Clinical-Oriented Clerkship
A Virtual Clinical-Oriented Clerkship is a RVUCOM faculty-supervised, online learning experience that provides advanced clinically oriented discussion exposure in a specific specialty that does not include active patient care. Eligible for consideration under this special designation are audition virtual electives offered through ACGME accredited residency programs. These clerkships immerse students in specialty-specific topics through case-based learning, faculty-led lectures, journal article reviews, and interactive discussions. Although students do not participate in hands-on clinical care, they develop clinical reasoning, medical knowledge, and professional communication skills aligned with upper-level clerkship expectations through interactive discussion with training site physicians &/or residents.
Students enrolled in a Virtual Clinical-Oriented Clerkship are formally assessed by RVU faculty. Evaluation may include participation, professionalism, critical thinking, and completion of written or oral assignments. Students may earn up to four clinical credit hours during OMSIV that will count towards completion of 32 clinical elective credit hour requirement. upon successful completion. These clerkships offer meaningful opportunities to explore potential specialties, gain insight into program culture and expectations, and demonstrate academic and professional competence—all within a flexible, technology-enhanced learning environment that upholds the rigor of traditional clinical experiences.
NOTE: Virtual Clinical-Oriented Clerkships cannot be considered towards the required 8 credits of in-person audition rotations needed to meet graduation requirements.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of all pre-clinical (Year 1 and Year 2) coursework, and post initial attempt on COMLEX Level 1 with passing score reported to clinical education. No student may be assigned to a family member for the purpose of assessment or evaluation of performance. If the student is inadvertently assigned to a family member, the student must report the relationship to the Assistant Director of Clinical Education Resources.
Elective Requirements
Students are required to complete/upload many documents related to clinical electives. The Office of the Registrar is able to upload certain documents including, but not limited to:
- Official transcript
- Letters of Verification
The Department of Clinical Education can provide the following documents:
- Letters of Recommendation
- Liability insurance documentation
Students should also obtain a professional headshot, such as the white coat photo provided by RVU at the beginning of Year One.