Occupational Medicine Rotation Program FAQ’s

Answer: In general, rotators are expected to be engaged in the rotation activities for an 8-hour workday with a 30-minute break for lunch on Monday to Friday for the 2 consecutive weeks of their rotation. Exact timing of the workday will need to flexible due to potential time zone differences and staff schedules.

Answer: The rotation has been changed from a 4-week rotation based in the NIOSH Cincinnati, OH office to a 2-week virtual rotation.

Answer: Offering virtual rotations increases equity, allowing residents to participate without self-funded travel to Cincinnati, OH for 4 weeks. Shortening the rotation allows NIOSH to offer this experience to more residents with the same staffing levels. A virtual program would also allow the rotation to proceed even if travel restrictions were incurred again.

Answer: No. The Occupational Medicine Rotation Program is only open to applicants from U.S.-based, American Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited residency programs.

Answer: No. This rotation is only open to physicians currently in an ACGME-accredited residency program. CDC programs for medical students can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/fellowships/full-time/medical-veterinary-clinical.html

Answer: Yes. These applicants will need to substitute the concurrence statement from their Program Director with a letter confirming the resident’s graduation date.

Answer: The rotation is 2 consecutive weeks.

Answer: No.

Answer: The rotation’s application process now uses a rotation mailbox instead of an online portal for submission of all application components.

Answer: Please check the rotation webpage. During the open application period July 1-September 1, there will be a banner across the landing page stating that applications are being accepted with a link to the “Application Process” page.

Answer: A site visit cannot be guaranteed during the 2-week rotation. Rotators are welcome to contact program directors to arrange to accompany NIOSH staff if a HHE site visit occurs in their area after completing the rotation.

Answer: Applicants provide their top three preferred 2-week blocks for the rotation as part of their application. Rotators are not scheduled for weeks containing a federal holiday or during October, November, and December

Answer: All rotators will:

• Complete a set of 5 required modules that cover statistical applications in occupational health, respirator fit testing, and musculoskeletal disorders
• Complete an additional 4 modules of their choice on various occupational health related topics with an emphasis on how the NIOSH HHE program evaluates these issues
• Prepare a 45-minute presentation on a selected occupational medicine topic
• As scheduling permits:
  • Respond to a public inquiry under NIOSH medical officer supervision
  • Attend scheduled one-on-one meetings with NIOSH staff
  • Meet with project officers in different phases of a HHE including discussions with HHE requestors, development of questionnaires, etc.

Answer: No. Due to the short duration of the rotation, rotators will not be allowed any outside activities.