FAQ – EMERGENCY MEDICINE

Frequently Asked Questions

How many applicants are offered interviews?

We typically offer interviews to 150 applicants.

How many spots are there per PGY-1 class?

After transitioning to a 3-yr program, there are 11 spots per residency class.

Is the ARMC EM program AOA or ACGME accredited?

We are now ACGME accredited and will be accepting applications through ERAS for the ACGME.

What does the interview day consist of?

There are a total of 3 interview rooms ranging between the PD, APD, Core Faculty and a 3-5 person resident panel. You will also attend the resident didactic lecture for a few hours between interviews. We use this time for us to get to know you better and for you to get to know us better. Please ask ANY question during interview day; we want applicants to be as well informed as possible about our program. Four years is a long time to spend at a place; make an informed decision.

What should I do on my rotation to make a good impression?

Work hard, be involved, and most importantly, be yourself. Being in Emergency Medicine requires you to be flexible and adapt to new situations. A vital skill for an ER resident is to be a fast-learner. Ask yourself if you will enjoy practicing Emergency Medicine for the rest of your career. Determine if ARMC is a “good fit” for you and a place you would be happy to spend the next 4 years.

When should I do my audition rotation?

If you wish to rotate with us, April-September is the prime time to rotate. We start interviews the end of October and end mid-December.

Do students get to do a lot at Arrowhead?

We expect a lot from our auditioning students. Being proactive (not only when it comes to procedures, but getting the charting done and keeping your resident up to date on the patient’s progress) is highly appreciated. Hard work and performance is often rewarded with procedures. However, PGY-1’s will get preference on higher level procedures. Overall, we follow a hierarchy of delegating procedures, however our seniors are never in need of getting procedures and are always willing to give the first shot to PGY-1’s and even students. Please keep in mind our ER residents love performing procedures. Hard work and enthusiasm generally leads to more hands on involvement.

How many students rotate through the ER in a month?

We take 22 students at any one time. Some schools have a 6-week rotation and others have 4. We try to accommodate anyone who seriously wants to rotate with us.

Which other hospitals do the residents rotate through?

Residents rotate in EM at St. Bernardine’s in San Bernardino (on average 1 code and 1 STEMI per day) in their PGY-2 through PGY-4 years. Residents also do Peds EM at Loma Linda in their PGY-3 year. There is also an EMS rotation where we have the opportunity to go on EMS ride alongs with both ground EMS, county sheriffs department and Air EMS services. All other rotations are at Arrowhead.

Is the entire first year of residency at Arrowhead?

Yes, all rotations will be at ARMC in your first year. You can stay close to your new EM family.

What other specialties do you have to rotate through during the entire residency?

Residents rotate within Internal Medicine, MICU, OB, Ultrasound, Pediatrics, General Surgery, EMS (flight is available), SICU, Orthopedics, Peds EM, PICU, and NICU throughout their 3 years. Each year the resident spends more time in the Emergency Department.