International Observership Program

The Children’s Hospital Los Angeles International Observership Program facilitates knowledge transfer from our esteemed pediatric subspecialists to health care professionals from abroad.

While shadowing some of the world’s leading experts, participants observe best practices in treating complex and advanced childhood illnesses.

International Observership: Why Choose Us?

Children's Hospital Los Angeles is one of the nation’s premier pediatric academic medical centers. We offer clinical programs at the forefront of care and research. Our team of pediatric subspecialists hold faculty appointments at the world-renowned Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California.

Through this informal, immersive experience, observers gain a better understanding of CHLA’s clinical practices, multidisciplinary approach and culture. Clinical observerships are typically with one division and may last between one week and one month.

Participants have the opportunity to shadow faculty, fellows and residents. They are welcome to attend Grand Rounds, Journal Club, CME conferences and other select learning opportunities.

It is also important to know that participants:

• Will have no direct patient contact or care responsibilities
• Cannot participate in research activities
• Do not receive academic credit
• Are not eligible for a CHLA mail address
• Will not have access to our electronic medical record system
• Must comply with applicable laws, regulations and CHLA policies
• Need to obtain a B (visitor) visa
• Must be able to cover all application, travel and living expenses (no financial aid is available)

Who Is Eligible to Participate?

Our International Observership Program is open to:

• Trained doctors and allied health professionals practicing abroad
• International residents and fellows currently enrolled abroad who expect to graduate from that same institution

Apply to Our Clinical Observership Program

All documents must be submitted in English and in .pdf, .doc or .docx format. They include:

• Completed application
• Current curriculum vitae (CV)
• Color copy of your passport
• Two letters of recommendation on your current institution’s letterhead addressed to the CHLA Center for Global Health
• Personal statement addressing your interests and qualifications

Send documents to internationalobservership@chla.usc.edu. A nonrefundable $250 application fee is also required. After reviewing your information, we will contact you to schedule an English proficiency interview.

Once you have been accepted, you will receive an invitation letter stating the purpose and dates of your visit. You can use this letter in your visa application.

Application Periods

Our Pediatric Specialties

Clinical observerships are available as capacity allows in areas such as:

• Adolescent Medicine
• Allergy Immunology
• Dentistry
• Dermatology
• Emergency Medicine
• Endocrinology
• Gastroenterology
• General Pediatrics
• Hematology-Oncology, and Transplantation and Cell Therapy
• Infectious Diseases
• Medical Genetics
• Neonatology
• Neurology
• Neurosurgery
• Ophthalmology
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Pathology
• Pediatric Surgery
• Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Radiation Oncology
• Radiology
• Rheumatology
• Sports Medicine

Before Starting an Observership

You will need to:

• Pay your tuition
• Obtain a B (visitor) visa
• Complete additional paperwork
• Provide confirmation of certain immunizations
• Secure local lodging

Contact Us

To learn more about observerships, call +1-323-660-2450 or email us at internationalobservership@chla.usc.edu.

You can also get started by completing an application.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the application process?

Click here to apply to our International Observership Program.

What is the format for the letters of recommendation in support of my observership application?

Letter must be on institution letterhead and addressed to CHLA Center for Global Health. An official letter attesting to your current employment and professional standing as a resident, fellow, or attending issued by your institution within the past 12 months.

What type of visa do I need?

You will need a B visa (visitor visa). Once you have been accepted for observership at CHLA you will receive an Invitation letter which states you have been accepted and the dates of your visit. You will be able to use this letter for you visa application.

How early should I apply to the observership program?

Please review the current academic calendar for observership deadlines.

How long can I observe for?

Maximum allowance for International Observers at CHLA is 3 months, however, each Division has their own allowance and could range between a few of weeks to 3 months.

Do you accept students/medical students?

We currently are only accepting last year medical students.

I am an international medical graduate and would like to apply to the International Physician Observer Program. I am not enrolled in medical school or currently practicing in a medical institution. Can I still apply?

No. Unfortunately, the International Observership Program is designed for professionals, residents, and fellows that would like to visit CHLA for an immersive shadowing experience in a particular specialty. Applicants are required to submit two letters of recommendation from their current institution when submitting application.

What is the dress code?

Business casual (shirt or blouse, dress slacks, etc.), as you will be shadowing clinics and hospitals. Close toe shoes are required. *Surgery observers will be provided with CHLA scrubs when observing in the OR.

Will I be able to take care of patients?

CHLA observers are only allowed to shadow. Unfortunately, you are not allowed to examine or treat patients.

Am I allowed to observe in multiple Divisions at the same time?

We suggest only one Division per observership; however, exceptions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Am I allowed to visit other Divisions?

While at CHLA you are only authorized to be in the approved precepting Division.

Will I receive any type of academic credit?

No, this observership does not fall under a clinical rotation, fellowship, etc.

Will CHLA complete forms from my institution?

No, we will not complete any forms from a home institution regarding your observership. Once you have been accepted to do an observership at CHLA, you will receive an Invitation letter which states you have been accepted and the dates of your visit, this letter could be used for proof of acceptance.

Will I receive a letter of recommendation, or evaluation upon completion of my observership?

No. The limitations of being an observer at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles do not allow for adequate assessment of clinical and surgical skill sets. As such, observers will shadow under the supervision of a CHLA physician without the expectation of receiving a letter of recommendation or completing an evaluation/certification form. However, you will receive a letter of completion as an observer at CHLA.

Will I receive a certificate, letter of recommendation, or evaluation upon completion of my observership?

Yes. At the end of your observership you will receive a certificate of completion as an observer at CHLA.

Will housing be provided?

CHLA does not provide housing. Observers are responsible for their own lodging, but many short- and long-term accommodations are available in the Los Angeles area and offer a discounted rate for CHLA visitors.

Does CHLA offer financial aid or scholarships to observers?

Observers are responsible for all expenses. Unfortunately, CHLA does not provide financial aid or scholarships at this time.

Can I participate in CHLA’s CME conferences during my observership?

Yes, all CME conferences offered at CHLA are open to our international observers.

I am interested in starting a Short Course program between CHLA and my institution. What is my first step?

We would be delighted to learn about the program you have in mind. Please email Araceli Jimenez at internationalobservership@chla.usc.edu with more information regarding your request and your institution.