Note: Complete information on benefits and policies for Duke residents and fellows is available on the Duke Graduate Medical Education web site.

 

Salary. The salary is determined by Duke University Medical Center policy and is equal for all clinical fellows consistent with their "postgraduate year" status. A clinical fellow starting July 1, 2006, and having 3 years of postgraduate training would receive a salary of approximately $45,000. Some training grants have the stipulation that fellows choosing not to go into academic or academically related endeavors at the end of training may owe salary "payback" to the NIH.

 

Funding. Once a fellow has been accepted, funding will be provided for the entire three years. Normally, the clinical year will be supported by the Divisional general funds, and the two research years will be supported by the research funds of the faculty member who supervises the trainee. Our fellows are encouraged to apply for funding from various sources during the fellowship if opportunities arise, and many have succeeded in the past. Their achievement provides evidence of good research progress, enhances their CVs, and helps the Division. However, in an era of intense competition for funding, even the best candidates cannot always expect to be successful at first. Therefore, we do not require trainees to raise part of their own funds.

 

Additional support. Each clinical trainee will be provided a book allowance in an amount equal to the Mandell textbook and a library copier card, which can be renewed as needed. Similar allowances may be available in subsequent years but will be the responsibility of the trainee's supervisor.

 

Vacation. Fellows currently receive three weeks of vacation. These may be taken at any time consistent with patient care needs except for the first and last months of the academic year. If vacations are needed during these times, special permission must be obtained. Vacation time is essential and must not be forfeited to compensate for extended illness, late starts, parental leave, or other reasons.

 

Professional meetings. The Division finances one meeting per year for each fellow. This is guaranteed if an abstract is being presented. In general, there is a monetary limit of $750, based on the current available resources for travel.

 

Moonlighting. Duke has a moonlighting policy that permits the acceptance of outside professional responsibilities during the fellowship, provided they do not interfere with the functioning of the fellow and provided that permission is obtained from the program director. A Center-wide consent form is used for such activities. Extensive moonlighting is destructive to the individual's training experience and is not encouraged.

 

Licensure. All fellows must have valid North Carolina licenses. A resident training license that is valid within Duke University Medical Center may be obtained, but this license is not valid for moonlighting. Fellows are encouraged to obtain permanent licenses in the state of North Carolina .

 

Benefits. Duke housestaff receive numerous fringe benefits. Each incoming house officer will receive from the Housestaff Office a notebook that provides extensive information about the many available benefits. Also, the Housestaff Office has installed a 24-hours/day, 7-days/week helpline (684-3315) to provide recorded messages for commonly asked questions about benefits.

 

The Division follows the ABIM Policies and Procedures. "Trainees may take up to one month per year of training for vacation time, parental or family leave, or illness (including pregnancy-related disabilities). Training must be extended to make up any absences exceeding one month per year."

 

Insurance. Several types of insurance coverage are available. These include malpractice, life, disability, dental, and health insurance. Malpractice insurance is provided for those activities officially sanctioned by the department. $75,000 of group term life insurance coverage, including spouse and children is provided to all house staff members by the Medical Center . Disability insurance is also provided.

 

Citizenship and visa. We encourage qualified applicants from any country to apply, and we have trained a number of candidates from overseas. However, to qualify for designation as trainee on a NIH training grant, a fellow must be a citizen of the United States . Under other Divisional funding programs, a J1 or H1 visa or a permanent resident visa (green card) may be adequate.

 

Center of Excellence for the Rational Use of Antibiotics - promoting a better understanding about the rationale for appropriate selection of antibiotics, both at a formulary and individual patient basis, that incorporates long-range institutional goals such as optimal patient outcome, control of microbial resistance, reductions in antibiotic-related complications, and flexibility in dosing and administration options.

 

Clinical Microbiology Laboratory - diagnostic support, testing, and consultation.

 

Duke University AIDS Research and Treatment Center (DART) - provides outstanding HIV/AIDS patient care, fosters innovative but responsible clinical research, and trains medical practitioners in HIV/AIDS clinical care.

 

Duke University Mycology Research Unit (DUMRU) - The Duke University Mycology Research Unit (DUMRU) of Duke University Medical Center applies an interdisciplinary research approach to investigate the pathobiology of medically important fungi through the model pathogen, Cryptococcus neoformans.

 

Mentored Clinical Research Scholar Program - a structured didactic and applied research curriculum in patient-oriented clinical research for post-doctoral candidates pursuing subspecialty or primary care training and junior faculty members. Faculty mentors are selected for their expertise, experience, and commitment to training provide oversight of the program and/or serve as research mentors.