Resident Selection Process

Eligibility

As per ACGME Institutional Requirements, applicants for residency training at UT Health San Antonio must meet one of the following qualifications:

• Graduate of medical school in the U.S. and Canada accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).
• Graduate of an international medical school, meeting one of the following qualifications:
• Have a currently valid ECFMG certificate
• Have a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in a U.S. licensing jurisdiction.
• Graduate of international medical school who has completed a Fifth Pathway program provided by an LCME-accredited medical school.

All first year residency positions (PGY-1) will be offered through the National Residency Matching Program.  If all positions are not filled through the Match, residents may subsequently be appointed to unfilled positions from the pool of unmatched students, or other sources, as long as they meet institutional standards.

All resident applicants must be screened against Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and General Services Administration (GSA) lists. Individuals listed by a federal agency as excluded, suspended, or otherwise ineligible for participation in federal programs (Institutional Compliance Agreement p.6 of 18) are ineligible for residency or fellowship.

Non-citizens must have permanent resident status or a J-1 Visa.

It is the policy of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, the Health Science Center and its affiliated hospitals to sustain resident selection processes that are free from impermissible discrimination.  In compliance with all federal and state laws and regulations, The University of Texas System policy, and institutional policy, no person shall be subject to discrimination in the process of resident selection on the basis of gender, race, age, religion, color, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or veteran status.  Refer to our Office of Diversity website.

Selection for Interview

Applicants will be reviewed by the Program Director to determine which applicants will be invited to interview.  Requirements are:

• favorable letters of recommendation
• passed USMLE Step 1 or COMLEX USA Level 1

Applicants with unusual strengths who do not meet all the above criteria will be considered on an individual basis.

Interviews will be offered in October, November, and December. The evening prior to their interview date, applicants are invited to a virtual “Get to Know” our current residents where they will have an opportunity to interact and ask questions about our program and San Antonio.  For the 2021-2022 academic year all interviews will be virtual with virtual tours and resident interaction.  Applicants will receive a general overview of the program, interview with several faculty members and current residents and virtually tour the facilities.

Interview Process

The Department’s resident selection committee will rank candidates on the basis of assessment of the individual’s potential contributions in the specialty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.  This process is based on the applicant’s academic performance, the assessment of his/her faculty as reflected in letters of recommendation, and personal qualities including motivation, integrity, and communication skills evaluated during the interview process conducted by faculty and resident representatives.    All candidates must have passing scores for Step 2 USMLE and/or Level 2 COMLEX and CS/PE prior to January 31 to be considered for match.

In addition to the guidelines above, the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners mandates a postgraduate resident permit for all residents entering Texas programs.  These rules essentially make it necessary for the resident to demonstrate that he/she will be eligible for permanent licensure in Texas. Residents are expected to be familiar with the regulations and TMB Board Rules.