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Acting Internship in Emergency Medicine, UNC/WakeMed
ERMD 401 2

Link to course in the UNC SOM Course Directory

Welcome to the Emergency Department at UNC Medical Center and at WakeMed Raleigh!

The Acting Internship (AI, also known as a “sub-I”) is a month-long elective offered to UNC SOM and visiting students. Typically, most students who take this elective are interested in applying to emergency medicine (EM) residency; however, we welcome all students interested in taking the elective. Our goal is to provide a robust EM experience and provide an opportunity to learn valuable skills for managing critical and undifferentiated patients.

Note: this elective is required for all UNC SOM students applying to EM residency, regardless of Area Health Education Center (AHEC) site.

During this Acting Internship you will gain exposure to both academic and community emergency medicine, with shifts at both the UNC Medical Center and WakeMed Raleigh. You will be working directly with ED attendings, many of whom have been fellowship-trained in Ultrasound, EMS, Geriatrics, Palliative care, Toxicology, Administration, Informatics, and Education.

Please note that this rotation is an acting internship – students are expected to perform at the level of an intern. Students will be expected to independently evaluate and manage patients in the emergency department setting.

This Acting Internship includes:

  • In-person orientation on the first day of your rotation with clerkship directors
  • Procedural and high-fidelity simulation lab
  • Case-based teaching session with senior residents
  • Protected time to attend and participate in weekly Wednesday resident conferences
  • Approximately 13 ED shifts divided between UNC Medical Center and WakeMed Raleigh (most weekends are off)
  • Individualized career advising if applying to EM residency
  • A standardized letter of evaluation (SLOE) for your EM residency application

A few administrative notes:

  • Given the complexity of creating shift schedules for participating students, the minimum notice to enroll in this course is four weeks prior to the first day of the block.
  • We are unable to accommodate more than 10 students total per block.
  • All students must have their own vehicle to drive to and from WakeMed Raleigh – even at odd hours.
  • Students must be available every Wednesday morning to attend resident conferences.

You will receive a detailed Course Manual and email instructions several weeks before your clerkship begins.


Applying to EM Residency

Anyone considering applying to EM residency should review the EMRA and CORD Student Advising Guide. It explains every step of the EM residency application process from start to finish.

Unfortunately, due to the volume of students applying into EM, we are unable to accommodate EM-specific career advising for UNC students earlier than the start of Indy Phase. You will meet with the Clerkship Director during this rotation.

In the meantime, UNC students should refer to the UNC Office of Student Affairs EM Career Advising Site for answers to frequently asked questions.

  • If you are preclinical/app phase, please review the video link on the right side of the above page, titled Career Opportunity Services Session (Onyen required).
  • If you are indy phase (or if you want more detailed information about applying), please review the video link on the right side of the above page, titled Application Phase Career Day (Onyen required).