Neurosurgery Residency Program

Policies

Duty Hours

• 80 hours a week averaged over 4 weeks (currently with 10% exception)
• No more than 30 consecutive hours
• No less than 10 hours between shifts
• One day off in 7 averaged over 4 weeks

Cell Phones / Book Fund

• Residents are provided a stipend for cell-phone usage.  Separate scales are identified for PGY6 and 7 (chief, senior residents) and PGY2 - 5 (junior, intermediate residents)        
• Reimbursements are paid out quarterly as a check from the Children’s Hospital. 
• Individual residents purchase their own phones and maintain their own cell phone contracts.
• Residents are provided a stipend to develop a personal Neurosurgery library

Credentialing/Licensing Reimbursement   

• Resident completion of the USMLE Step 3 is mandatory for obtaining a full Massachusetts medical license.  The neurosurgery department prefers that this exam be taken during the Internship year.  The designated time for this exam will be the last two weeks in June, before the start of the PGY 2 year.   If the USMLE Step 3 is successfully completed before the end of PGY1, the department of Neurosurgery will reimburse fees associated with the exam.   If not, the Resident will be responsible for all test fees and charges incurred thereafter. 
• Licensure costs will be reimbursed according to the following current schedule: 
  • Limited License
  • Full License (Initial)
  • Full License (Renewal)
  • DEA
  • Mass Controlled Substance
  • Any fees associated with the licensing application (i.e. AMA profile, NPDB)

Meetings

• During resident training (PGY2-7), the Department will provide the time allowance and financial support for residents to attend two meetings, regardless of whether the resident has a presentation at that particular meeting.  These meetings include:
  • RUNN Course (PGY4 or PGY5)
  • AANS or CNS (PGY7) – Chief Residents will be allowed to attend one meeting each during their final year of training. The choice of which resident attends which meeting will be left to the discretion of the individual residents affected.  The two chief residents will confer and agree so that both have the opportunity to attend one of these meetings, while the other remains in Boston to cover the service. 
  • In addition, residents are strongly encouraged to submit abstracts for presentation at each of the major national meetings, only including: AANS, CNS and Joint Section Meetings.  If a resident has an abstract accepted for oral presentation at one of these meetings, the department will pay allowed travel and meeting expenses and give the resident time off to attend.  Posters do not qualify for reimbursement or additional time off.  The duration of the time away will be adjudicated based upon departmental manpower, under the direct approval and oversight of the Program Director or Associate Program Director in consultation with the Chief Residents.
  • Support for attendance at any other meetings must be cleared by the Program Director or Associate Program Director, in consultation with the Chief Residents, prior to abstract submission.  Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis, and the department may choose not to pay for these meetings, regardless of whether the resident has an abstract accepted for oral presentation. 

Moonlighting

• Moonlighting is discouraged in our program, except as done for neurosurgical coverage within our core institutions (BWH, CH). Any moonlighting must be approved in writing in advance by the Program Director.

Vacations

• In order to have a vacation, the following individuals must be notified and approve the submission.