From the perspective of the Medical University of Graz, fellows are well-educated doctors of medicine or dentistry from anywhere in the world who would like to gain clinical experience to enhance their qualifications and progress their career through practical hands-on experience at University Hospital Graz over a period of three to twelve months.
The goal of a clinical fellowship is to expand specialist knowledge and skills in an experienced team at University Hospital Graz. During the application process, the scientific focus is determined by the university department/division/institute and the potential fellow in an individual research and educational program.
The university department decides whether to take on a clinical fellow. Clinical fellows may not work night and weekend shifts or be on call, but they are integrated into the team in compliance with legal provisions and under supervision.
The clinical fellow can also participate in courses and journal clubs offered as part of the PhD and doctoral programs if space is available and the workload allows for it.
A clinical fellowship does not provide grounds for an employment contract with Med Uni Graz. During the entire period of the fellowship, the fellow must remain regularly employed (including monthly salary payments) by his*her home institution. When applying for a Visa D (for stays up to 6 months) or a Settlement Permit (for stays longer than 6 months), the fellow has to provide proof of sufficient financial means.
The fellow is responsible for funding as well as organizing the stay. Funding by funding authorities (official scholarship funds) is permitted provided that the conditions for the clinical fellowship are met.
An administrative fee of EUR 700 per fellowship must be paid.
Proof of German and/or English language skills must be provided as part of the application. Mastery of the German language increases the effectiveness of the stay since patient contacts, patient introductions and meetings are primarily conducted in German.
The clinical fellow receives a certificate at the end of the fellowship.
Non-scientific stays up to 3 months may be possible with a volunteer doctor agreement with the hospital provider (KAGes Volontariat).
If the activity does not require direct patient contact and only involves observation and/or research, the observership program may be a more appropriate choice.
Potential fellows contact the departments/divisions/institutes directly with their CV and a letter of motivation. If there is interest in taking on the fellow and the resources required for supervising the fellow are available, the "application process" is started.
Med Uni Graz does not make placement requests at University Hospital Graz for clinical fellowships.
As soon as a confirmation of supervision is received by the International Office (the department/division/institute sends a completed and signed Letter of Intent to the International Office), the office contacts the potential fellow and sends information on the rest of the application process. Note that the Letter of Intent must be submitted about 7 months before the clinical fellowship should start.
Certain conditions for a clinical fellowship are required and must be met prior to its start. The application form (sample) offers an overview of the documents to be submitted.
For approval to be granted, all documents listed on the current application form must be submitted at least 6 months before the start of the clinical fellowship.
