Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.)

What is the relationship between Harbor-UCLA and the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA?

Harbor-UCLA Medical Center is affiliated with UCLA, but operates independently from the David Geffen School of Medicine. The County of Los Angeles owns and operates Harbor-UCLA, and most residents and faculty are employees of the County. All of the faculty members within the Department of Anesthesiology at Harbor-UCLA actually hold academic and clinical appointments at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. In addition, many UCLA medical students often rotate through Harbor-UCLA for several core clinical clerkships and sub-internships as well as elective rotations. Many surgical and medical department members at Harbor-UCLA also have dual roles and perform dual clinical duties at both Harbor-UCLA Medical Center as well as at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.

Is the Anesthesiology Residency Program part of UCLA?

No. The Anesthesiology Residency Program at Harbor-UCLA is separate from the program at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.

What type of training does Harbor-UCLA provide?

Harbor-UCLA provides residency training in pediatrics, emergency medicine, medicine, surgery, psychiatry, radiology, pathology, and fellowships in various subspecialties. Visit http://www.harbor-ucla.com for more information on graduate medical education at Harbor-UCLA.

How many residents are accepted into the Anesthesiology Residency Program at Harbor-UCLA?

Harbor-UCLA’s Department of Anesthesiology is ACGME approved for 9 positions per year, for a total of 36 residents. Starting in 2015, all of our residency spots are categorical with an integrated internship, allowing for rotations in both surgical and medical units.

How is the Clinical Base Year (CBY) organized?

  • 2 rotations of Anesthesiology (2 weeks/blocks)
  • 4 weeks of vacation are approved by the ABA. During the Anesthesiology blocks, CBY residents will spend two weeks in the operating rooms and two weeks on vacation.
  • In-patient months (1 block each)
  • ENT, General Pediatrics, Neurology, OB/GYN, Pediatric, Cardiology, and Surgery
  • 1 block of Emergency Medicine
  • 2 weeks of Pain Medicine
  • 1 block of Quality Assurance/Patient Safety
  • 2 blocks of SICU
  • 2 weeks of Transfusion Medicine

Does Harbor-UCLA partner with any other Anesthesiology residency programs for subspecialty rotations?

Residents from Harbor-UCLA are able to augment their sub-specialty training experience by participating in certain elective rotations at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

What do residents typically do after graduation?

Many graduates of the residency program at Harbor-UCLA have gone on to continue their training at prestigious fellowship programs, whether at Harbor-UCLA or at other well known hospitals and universities. Other graduates pursue careers in research as investigators or career tracks in private practice.  Please visit our “Past Residents” page to see where some of our graduates have chosen to further their medical education/practice.

How many graduates from the Anesthesiology Residency Program at Harbor-UCLA go on to fellowship programs?

This number has varied over the past years. In some years, all of our graduating residents will go onto fellowships in fields such as pediatrics, cardiothoracic, pain management and regional, while in other years it may be 25% that go onto fellowships. On average, about half of the graduating class will chose to pursue fellowships, while half will go directly into practice.

What types of cases will I see in the operating room?

Harbor-UCLA Medical Center is a Level-one Trauma Center with a large referral base of patients throughout southern California. As an anesthesiology resident here, you will see a wide variety of pathology in many different stages. It is not uncommon for a resident to take care of a patient that has suffered from multiple gun shot wounds and is rushed up from the emergency room straight to the operating rooms, then later in the day provide anesthesia for an outpatient cataract surgery. The department of anesthesiology provides services for almost all of the surgical sub-specialties, as well as for gastroenterology, interventional radiology, interventional cardiology and other off-site services as needed.

What is the call schedule? How much night call is expected?

The typical overnight call night is composed of an attending anesthesiologist, a senior resident, 1-2 junior residents, and a CRNA or a contract anesthesiologist. Senior residents will on average take between 5-6 senior calls a month, and junior residents will take between 4-5 junior calls a month. Residents will be relieved from call duties at 7am, and will not be expected back in the hospital until the next day. When on call, the team will cover general OR/Trauma, OB as well as airway emergencies and codes in the hospital. Cardiac and pain management are covered by different call teams.

What are some of the benefits of being a resident at Harbor-UCLA?

  • All meals are provided
  • County benefits: Sick pay, 401K, Health Insurance
  • Four weeks of vacation each year (split into two-week intervals)
  • Annual Resident Retreat
  • Stipend to pay for medical license fees and educational materials and conferences
  • Access to UCLA graduate housing

How is the relationship between the anesthesiologists and the surgeons?

The anesthesiology department works collaboratively with the surgical departments in several different aspects of both clinical care as well as in research. Meetings occur frequently with our surgical colleagues to discuss concerns and to ensure quality anesthetic care, particularly when challenging patients or new surgical procedures are anticipated. Interdepartmental meetings are held monthly with not only surgeons, but also with nursing staff, pharmacy and administration to ensure that the operating rooms as well as off-site procedure areas are providing quality care in an efficient and effective manner. Additionally, we work closely with our surgical colleagues in the surgical ICU. The camaraderie with the surgical department will begin during the CBY portion of your training. Here, you will work closely with residents in all of the surgical subspecialties as you rotate through general surgery, ENT, emergency medicine and the SICU.

What opportunities are there for research? What is The Lundquist Institute, and what is its’ relationship to Harbor-UCLA?

The participation of residents in research is highly encouraged and thoroughly supported by the anesthesiology department, but is not mandatory. Residents and fellows will all have opportunities to participate in both clinical as well as basic science research. However, all residents must complete an academic project. Located on the medical center campus, The Lundquist Institute is the research organization at Harbor-UCLA. Many Department of Pediatrics faculty members are Lundquist researchers. The Lundquist Institute is a premier independent research center. With an annual budget of $70 million, The Lundquist Institute provides the physical and organizational infrastructure for the extensive basic science, translational and clinical research programs conducted by Harbor-UCLA faculty.

How can I contact you for more information?

Please visit our contact page for contact information, or our career opportunities page.