Resident Contract Overview
SUMMARY OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT FOR GRADUATE RESIDENT/FELLOW HOUSE STAFF OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH MEDICAL CENTER MEDICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM (UPMCMEP)
Each Resident/Fellow Physician appointed and receiving training as a “House Officer” through the UPMCMEP must sign a contractual agreement that describes the terms, conditions, obligations and expectations concerning such appointment. The following information provides a summary of significant aspects of that appointment and contractual agreement.
Appointment Term: The House Officer is appointed to the position of Resident on the House Staff of a specific Residency Program of the UPMCMEP for the maximum term of one year. Reappointment is dependent upon Residency Program determination of the House Officer’s performance during the appointment term.
Policy and Regulatory Compliance: This appointment is subject to and contingent upon compliance with the Graduate Medical Education Policies and Procedures of the UPMCMEP, as well as any rules and regulations promulgated under those policies and any applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Please see the UPMCMEP website for more information.
Residency Program: The UPMCMEP will provide a training program consistent with the "Essentials of Accredited Residencies" adopted by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education, published by the American Medical Association or similar requirements of the American Osteopathic Association, the American Dental Association or the Council on Podiatric Medical Education, as applicable.
Dual Employment/Moonlighting: The House Officer is required to notify his/her Department in advance of any proposed employment outside of the UPMCMEP, and the number of hours devoted to such employment. The House Officer is prohibited from working additional hours as a physician rendering patient care services elsewhere without prior approval from his/her Department, or if such dual employment would cause him/her to exceed the maximum number of work hours permitted by UPMCMEP’s policy on Duty Hours and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) regulation. Any failure to comply with this provision will be deemed a material breach of this Appointment Agreement, and may cause the House Officer to be subject to disciplinary action.
b. FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND BENEFITS
PGY- Financial Support: The House Officer's annual financial support can be found on the UPMCMEP website for the specific PGY appointment each appointment year and will be payable bi-weekly through direct deposit into the House Officer’s bank account. If the House Officer accepts an assignment during which he/she is supported financially or paid by another institution, a grant, or a fellowship, etc., he/she will not receive financial support from the UPMCMEP for that period.
Health and Dental Insurance: The House Officer is eligible for individual or family health insurance programs offered under the UPMCMEP group plans. The House Officer will pay any applicable premiums by payroll deduction.
Short Term Disability: Benefits are available for a maximum of 180 days of total disability during a 52 consecutive week period.
Long Term Disability: Long-term disability insurance is available after a disability extends beyond 180 days. The program provides a monthly benefit of 60% of basic monthly financial support up to a maximum of $3,000. Coverage becomes effective on the first day of the month following employment.
Life Insurance: The House Officer is eligible for life insurance coverage equal to his/her base annual salary.
Professional Liability Insurance: The House Officer will be covered on an occurrence basis, with total limits of $1million per occurrence $ 3 million aggregate under the insurance program of the UPMCMEP and the Pennsylvania catastrophic fund for claims arising out of duties performed within the scope of training in the UPMCMEP.
Savings Plan: The House Officer is permitted to contribute to the Savings Plan on a pretax and/or after-tax basis up to the annual IRS limits. UPMCMEP matches a portion of your contributions.
OTHER BENEFITS
The Resident and Fellow Assistance Program (RFAP) provides a confidential resource to House Officers who may be experiencing personal problems. The RFAP will help to identify and explore alternative solutions to problems that may be emotional, financial, legal, marital or substance related.
While on a regularly scheduled 24-hour call at hospitals within the UPMCMEP, a subsidy for evening meals will be provided along with availability of an on-call room with housecleaning services.
Tuition Assistance
UPMC provides full-time and flexible full-time staff up to $3,500 per academic year for programs offered at an accredited college or university, provided studies are relevant to a career within the health system.
VOLUNTARY BENEFITS
AFLAC Personal Accident, Personal Recovery, and Personal Cancer Protection
Permanent Universal Life Insurance (UNUMProvident)
ARAG Legal Insurance Plan (Professional legal help to protect yourself and your family from legal difficulties)
LEAVE OF ABSENCE POLICY
Vacation Leave: The House Officer may receive up to a maximum of three weeks leave time (21 days, including weekends) per academic year, to be scheduled by agreement with the Program Director. (varies by department)
Sick Leave: Sick leave may be arranged at the discretion of the Program Director, in accordance with applicable law.
Professional Leave: The House Officer may receive time off to attend a professional conference to be arranged at the discretion of the Program Director.
Family and Medical Leave of Absence: The House Officer is eligible for Family and Medical Leave of Absence (FMLA) as set forth by the Federal government. All leave requests must be approved by the House Officer's Program Director to ensure all program requirements have been met to satisfy completion of the program.
RESIDENCY PROGRAM GENERAL POLICIES OVERVIEW
Residency Program Credit: Credit for completion of the program year, and certification of completion of a terminal program year will be contingent upon satisfactory performance, in accordance with the requirements of the House Officer's Residency Program.
Disciplinary Action/Probation Suspension or Termination: The House Officer may be placed on probation, suspended or have his/her appointment terminated by the UPMCMEP, for breach of the terms of this Agreement by the House Officer. Any such suspension or termination will be carried out in accordance with UPMCMEP procedure.
Grievances Appeals and Discipline: If a House Officer feels that he/she is being treated in a manner that is inconsistent with the treatment of other house officers, and he/she feels that the matter cannot be resolved within the structure of his/her department, he/she may elect to seek assistance through the UPMCMEP Graduate Medical Education Office.
Physician Impairment and Substance Abuse Education: It is the policy of the UPMCMEP that the unlawful manufacture, distribution, sale, dispensing, possession or use of an illegal drug or alcoholic beverage is prohibited in the workplace/classroom. The UPMCMP will provide the House Officer with an educational program regarding physician impairment, including substance abuse.
Assistance for physicians with substance abuse issues will be made available through the UPMCMEP RFAP and the Professional Health Monitoring Programs of the Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine. Under some circumstances, UPMCMEP is required by law to report substance abuse to the Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine.
Residency Closure/Reduction: If the UPMCMEP should decide to eliminate or reduce the size of any Residency Program, House Officers affected by the decision will be so informed prior to the start of the new academic year to the extent possible. The UPMCMEP will then make reasonable efforts to allow completion of the current residency year and, if practical, the remainder of training as planned.
Sexual Gender Racial and Other Forms of Harassment: Any House Officer who believes he/she is being harassed by an employee of the UPMCMEP, or on University of Pittsburgh Medical Center or affiliated hospital or healthcare facility premises, should report such harassment to his/her immediate supervisor or to the UPMCMEP Graduate Medical Education Office. Any person who is found by the UPMCMEP to have harassed a house officer, employee, student or applicant will be subject to corrective action, up to and including discharge. The UPMCMEP policy on harassment is found at the UPMCMEP website.