Clinical Training Program for Medical Providers


An intensive mini-residency/preceptorship is offered on a weekly basis for primary care practitioners, physician assistants and nurse practitioners wishing to gain experience in the area of HIV management. The program is also appropriate for advanced clinicians planning to work directly in the area of HIV medical care.

Clinical instruction is provided in the context of direct hands-on patient care. During the clinical rotations, trainees see patients under the supervision of an experienced practitioner. Also included is the opportunity to review patient records and to conduct a self-assessment of HIV educational needs.

Program Goals

1. To increase clinical competency in assessing and managing patients with HIV disease, including co-management with HIV specialists as well as early detection and prevention counseling; and
   
2. To help advanced HIV clinicians remain up-to-date with current practice guidelines and standards of care.

Core Training Program

The core training program consists of five days of training and is offered year round, with the exception of some holiday weeks. The program begins with a daylong presentation, “Complete HIV Overview,” held on the first Monday of each month for all trainees rotating through the Clinical Training Program that month.

Four days of clinical training are provided, Tuesday through Friday, throughout the month. Only two trainees are accepted for each week of clinical training.

The program is structured to provide trainees with a variety of clinical experiences. Trainees rotate through several primary care clinics, including:

• LA County + USC Medical Center, Rand Schrader Clinic (5P21)
• LA County + USC Medical Center, Women’s Primary Care Clinic
• AltaMed Health Services – La Clinica Sunol

In addition, trainees participate in intensive interactive sessions on:

• Medication Adherence Counseling and HIV Risk Assessment
• HIV Case Studies
• 5P21 Case Management Conference
• Optional educational sessions, including L.A. Intercity HIV Rounds and Infectious Disease Conferences

As an extension of this program, the Pacific AETC also provides HIV education directly to faculty of primary care residency programs. The faculty then can serve as HIV/AIDS educational resources to their medical residents.

Optional and Expanded Clinical Training Opportunities

Optional clinical experiences are available, at HIV specialty clinics at LA County + USC Medical Center and other clinical training sites. Clinical options include:

• Dermatology Clinic, 5P21
• Hematology Clinic, 5P21
• Homeless HIV Clinic, Weingart Center in Downtown L.A.
• Infectious Diseases Clinic, 5P21
• Liver Clinic, 5P21
• Neurology Clinic, 5P21
• Ophthalmology Clinic, 5P21
• Pediatric HIV Primary Care, Maternal Child Clinic
• Pharmacology Resistance Clinic, 5P21
• Pulmonary Clinic, 5P21
• KS/Hematology Clinic, 5P21
• Rectal Clinic, 5P21

Additional training opportunities or expanded rotations are available on an as-requested basis. Expanded rotations generally range from two to four weeks.

Cost

Training and educational materials are supported through a federal grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration, and thus there is normally no cost to U.S. trainees.

CME

Continuing medical education credit is offered. Because of direct patient interaction, California State medical licensure is required, along with proof of malpractice insurance and HIPPA certification. Out of state and international applicants without licenses will be considered for participation as an observer.

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