Special Clinical Electives Programme

Eligibility

All special clinical students will be registered under the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore.  Applicants must be bona fide students of a medical school, and already in their clinical years.  Applicants should apply at least 6 months in advance, otherwise the application will not be considered.  At the earliest, applications will be processed 12 months before the start of the proposed elective.

Postings

• Postings are counted in weeks, commencing on a Monday, and ending on a Friday.  The minimum and maximum posting periods are 2 weeks and 12 weeks respectively. Requests for postings outside stipulated dates will be on case-by-case basis, as and when is appropriate to departmental activities.
   
• Students are to follow the posting arrangements of the hospitals and departments, including the schedule and type of clinical work to do under supervision. Those with special requests are to provide the details by email within 1 week of the online submission, and the requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
  
  
• In Section 3 of the application form (“Proposed Elective Postings”), applicants must indicate the exact period (day, month and year, ie ddmmyyyy) of their proposed electives.  Applicants who do not indicate their choice of hospital next to the preferred elective department will be posted to National University Hospital (NUH).  Applicants are advised to indicate four postings, in case your first few choices are not available.
   
• Students who wish to do projects should inform us at least 2 months before the commencement of the elective attachment.
   
• Postings applied for are subject to the availability of vacancies and supervision, and the Dean’s approval.
   
• Applicants who are unable to pursue their clinical postings in our School should inform us at least 4 weeks in advance. Applicants who fail to take up a place offered, without giving a valid reason, will not be offered a place in future.
  
  
• Regardless of posting, all accepted students are registered under NUS.
   

Applying For A Posting

Application Form

The online application form is available at http://itumed.nus.edu.sg/apps/clinical/clappfm.asp.
We do not accept hard copy of the application.

Documents To Be Submitted By Post:

1. Application fee
2. Letter confirming student status
3. Proof of Hepatitis B screening
4. Letter confirming completion of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Modules
5. Proof of health insurance (for non-Singaporean applicants)
6. Proof of professional indemnity insurance
   
   

Additional document for posting at the Singapore General Hospital:

7. Letter certifying completion of Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) Modules - including one-rescuer CPR, adult foreign-body airway obstruction (conscious to unconscious), infant CPR, and infant foreign-body airway obstruction

All documents must be submitted in English within 1 month of online application, except the proof of health insurance which can be submitted upon acceptance of offer of elective placement. Please note that the application will NOT be processed until we have received the payment and documents.

The address is as follows:

If you have further questions, please contact us at
Email: medelectives@nus.edu.sg
Fax: (65) 6778-5743

We will respond to your query in 1 - 2 weeks. Thank you.

A. Application Fees

• All applicants must pay an application fee for administrative processing costs, including 7% GST:
  

  Singaporeans/Permanent Residents	S$5.35
  Foreigners	S$107.00

   

We accept payment only through cheque or bank draft.

• Your CHEQUE (Singapore Cheques i.e. DBS, POSB, Citibank, UOB, OUB, OCBC & etc are acceptable) or BANK DRAFT (International Draft) should be made payable to 'NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE'. As we accept only payments in Singapore currency, international students are advised to purchase a bank draft in Singapore currency from banks.
   
• This fee is non-refundable.  Should applicants not be granted a place, or decide not to pursue their postings after confirmation, the application fee will be forfeited.
   

B. Confirmation of Student Status

The applicant must submit an original letter on university stationery from the parent university.  Applications will not be considered until the certification letters are received.  The letter should confirm that:

• The applicant is a registered undergraduate medical student of the applicant’s University and will still be a registered undergraduate medical student of the applicant’s University during the period of the elective attachment
   
• The applicant’s proposed elective attachments are considered suitable.
   

C. Health Screening

Medical students who are attending elective attachments under our Special Clinical Programme are required to submit documentary proof that they have been screened and tested negative for the Hepatitis B surface antigen. Such documentary proof should be dated not more than 6 months ago, and is to be submitted together with the other required documents.

Applicants who have not been previously screened for the Hepatitis B virus are required to undergo the screening and submit documentary proof (an authenticated laboratory report) that they are tested negative for the Hepatitis B surface antigen.

Candidates who have been tested negative for HBsAg but have not been immunized against Hepatitis B virus are strongly advised to undergo immunization prior to the start of the elective attachment applied for.

Candidates who are HBsAg positive (regardless of HBeAg status) will not be allowed to proceed with the elective posting. The University reserves the right to require any candidates to undergo further tests for any or all markers of the Hepatitis B virus.

D. Insurance

• Proof of valid Personal Health Insurance and Professional Indemnity Insurance for the period of posting must be submitted upon acceptance of offer of elective placement.

• The proof of Personal Health Insurance is applicable only to non-Singaporeans. International students should be aware that coverage by an international policy may require them to cover any medical expenses incurred during their attachments and be reimbursed later.

• All students are to indemnify and keep indemnified, save and hold harmless NUS, the participating hospitals and its employees or volunteers against all losses, claims, demands, actions, proceedings, damages, costs or expenses, including legal fees, and any other liability arising in any way from the student's participation in the Special Clinical Students Programme.

• Applicants who are unable to pursue their clinical postings in our School should inform us at least 4 weeks in advance.  Applicants who fail to take up a place offered, without giving a valid reason, will not be offered a place in future. 

OTHER INFORMATION

Vaccinations

Applicants are strongly advised to be vaccinated against communicable diseases such as Varicella (Chicken Pox) and Rubella.

Changes /Cancellations

Request for change in discipline / department / hospital of postings will not be entertained after application is submitted. 

For changes in posting date, applicants will be charged S$53.50 (including 7% GST) for each change request.  Applicants are strongly advised against making any changes and should be certain of their preferred choices of posting and dates before submission of application.

Applicants who are unable to pursue their clinical postings in our Faculty should inform us at least 4 weeks in advance. Students who fail to take up a place offered, without giving a valid reason, will not be offered a place in future.

Evaluation

All reports will be sent directly to the students’ respective universities, with the exception of those who have been instructed by their universities to collect their reports personally.  In such cases, applicant should inform us when they report for their postings on the first day, and to collect the forms from us at the end of the posting.

Immigration

• Applicants from the countries listed on the following website will need to apply for a student visa before arriving in Singapore: http://www.ica.gov.sg/services_centre_overview.aspx?pageid=252&secid=165

• With effect from January 2003, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority of Singapore (ICA) has implemented a web-based system for student pass application called the "Student Pass On-Line Application & Registration" (SOLAR), which is designed to streamline current student pass procedures and reduce processing time.

• The Student Pass Application Form will be issued to you upon confirmation of your posting. This form should be submitted at least 1 month before commencement of your posting.

• Once we receive your completed Student Pass Application Form, we will register your request through ICA's SOLAR system and inform you to complete Form 16 online before ICA can process your application.

• To access SOLAR, please go to the website at http://www.ica.gov.sg and select “Student’s Pass Online Application & Registration”.

• Select “Student” button to begin.

• Key in the following five fields as indicated in the attached confirmation page:-
• • Your unique SOLAR Application Number (should be NU-2006-XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX)
  • Name: Please check that the particulars in these fields are correct and key in the exact format. Please inform us immediately if there are any mistakes.
  • Nationality: Please check that the particulars in these fields are correct and key in the exact format. Please inform us immediately if there are any mistakes.
  • Date of Birth: Please check that the particulars in these fields are correct and key in the exact format. Please inform us immediately if there are any mistakes.
  • Sex

• Once SOLAR confirmed that the application process has been completed successfully, you will be prompted to fill up Form 16, in which the following information is mandatory:-
• • Marital Status (e.g. Single, Married etc)
  • Race
  • Religion
  • Country of Birth
  • List of Countries Applicant has Resided for past 5 years (to indicate at least one country)
  • Type of Travel Document Held (Should be “International Passport”)
  • Antecedent (must select either “Yes” or “No” answers)
  • Declaration (checkbox must be checked or clicked)

• You need not indicate your passport number if the information is not available at that time.  Please remember to print a copy of Form 16 after you have submitted it successfully via SOLAR and bring it (complete with Passport details and duly signed) with you when you come for registration.

• Once Form 16 has been submitted successfully via SOLAR, ICA will proceed to process your student pass application and inform us of the outcome within 3 working days (for those nationals who do not require entry visa) or 2 weeks (for those nationals who require entry visa).  You may also check the status of your application via SOLAR.

• If you are from a non-visa required country (e.g. Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam etc.), you can collect the approval letter at the point of registration.  However, if your application is unsuccessful, we will inform you via e-mail/letter and your offer will be deemed as withdrawn accordingly.


• If you are from a visa-required country (e.g. P.R. China. India, Bangladesh, Myanmar etc.), we will send you the In-principle Approval (IPA) letter, which also serves as a single-journey entry visa.  You will be able to enter Singapore using the original copy of this letter and a valid passport.  Similarly, if your application is unsuccessful, we will inform you via e-mail/letter and your offer will be deemed as withdrawn accordingly.

• For any queries regarding SOLAR, please e-mail to ICA_Feedback@ica.gov.sg

• To further strengthen the control of communicable diseases like Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and Tuberculosis in Singapore, with effect from 1 March 2000, all foreigners who apply for the student pass for 6 months and above would have to undergo and pass a medical examination conducted by a qualified medical practitioner either in Singapore or in their home country, which must include the following:
  • general physical medical examination
  • a chest x-ray
  • a test for HIV

• Those who opt to do the medical examination in Singapore can do so at your own cost at the Health Service, University Health Centre (UHC), which is located at National University of Singapore, Level 1, 20 Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119080. The medical practitioner must record and certify the results of the medical examination conducted on each applicant using the official medical report form given by ICA. The report must be in English. A medical report in any other form or format will not be accepted. One form is to be used for each applicant.

• The original copy of both the radiologist report on the chest x-ray and the laboratory report on the HIV test must be attached to the completed medical report when applying for the relevant immigration pass. Please note that the reports must not be issued more than 3 months ago at the time of submission to ICA.

• After your registration, your IPA letter will be stamped with the required period before you proceed to convert your social visit pass into a student pass at ICA.

• A processing fee of $30 is required for every application submitted to ICA. The fee is non-refundable regardless of the outcome of the application or if application is withdrawn after submission. For submission via SOLAR, please make payment by credit/debit card or internet banking.
  
  A $60 issuance fee for every student's pass issued and a further $30 multiple-entry visa fee for visa required nationals, where applicable. The fee is payable when the successful applicant completes the formality to collect the Student's Pass.
  
  
• The address of ICA is:
  
  ICA Building
  10 Kallang Road
  Singapore 208718
  (beside Lavender MRT Station)
  
  The contact numbers and location map are available at http://www.ica.gov.sg/page.aspx?pageid=117&secid=116

Accommodation

You may apply for accommodation in the guest rooms available on campus.  More information can be found at http://www.nus.edu.sg/osa/housing/acc/index.html
For queries, please contact the Office of Student Affairs at:

Office of Student Affairs, Student Service Centre
Residential Services
National University of Singapore
31, Lower Kent Ridge Road, Level 1, Yusof Ishak House
Singapore 119078

Tel: (65) 6516 1384, Fax: (65) 6777 0155.
Email: http://www.nus.edu.sg/osa/housing/contact.html

Available Postings

• NUS provides postings in the following hospitals/institutions:
  
  ALEXANDRA HOSPITAL (AH)
  CENTRE FOR FORENSIC MEDICINE (CFM)
  CHANGI GENERAL HOSPITAL (CGH)
  KANDANG KERBAU WOMEN’S & CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL (KKW&CH)
  NATIONAL CANCER CENTRE (NCC)
  NATIONAL HEART CENTRE (NHC)
  NATIONAL SKIN CENTRE (NSC)
  NATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE INSTITUTE (NNI)
  NATIONAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL (NUH)
  SINGAPORE GENERAL HOSPITAL (SGH)
  SINGAPORE NATIONAL EYE CENTRE (SNEC)
  TAN TOCK SENG HOSPITAL (TTSH)
  WOODBRIDGE HOSPITAL & INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH (WH & IMH)  

• Dates indicated in the list of available electives are subject to changes.

• We will not be able to arrange for electives in departments / hospitals which are not indicated in the elective list.
   

Documentation Required for Elective Application

In summary, the following documents must be submitted to

Dean's Office, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
National University of Singapore
Clinical Research Centre
Block MD 11, #02-02, 10 Medical Drive
Singapore 117597
Attn: Elective Coordinator

* Confirmation of placement will only be given upon receipt of the abovementioned documents.

* All documents must be submitted in English.

ONGOING INFECTION CONTROL PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES

• In the event of any epidemic outbreak, the University reserves the right to cancel your placement.

• You are to adhere to infection control guidelines set by the Ministry of Health, the hospital of posting, and NUS.

• Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)

  1. Proof of certification in the use of Personal Protective Equipment and related procedures. This includes Mask Fitting, Gowning, Gloving and Hand Washing Techniques.
      
  2. You may be required to don PPE during the clinical postings. PPE includes N95 masks, surgical masks, goggles, gowns, aprons and gloves. The use of these items will vary according to the level of alert.
      
• You will be required to monitor your temperature at least twice daily and are to have a thermometer (digital is recommended) available upon registration on the first day of reporting.
  
  
• After you have been offered a place, you will be asked to sign an acceptance form indicating your acceptance of these terms and conditions of your posting.

LIST OF POSTINGS

Note: The posting opportunities are listed in the table below and postings are not available for all departments.