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Moonlighting Guidelines

EM residents are allowed to moonlight in their third year if approved by the Residency Director, many take advantage of this opportunity. The requirements that must be met for moonlighting approval include:

  • Completion of the approved research project
  • Scoring above national mean grades on the EM in-service exam
  • Good standing in the residency
  • State licensure

There are several local "protected" moonlighting roles available. These include two positions in which you work in a resident role, so you still have the guidance of an attending. Both are good transition moonlighting roles and pay well ($70/hour).

One position is in the Strong Pediatric ED, where the moonlighting resident covers the extra swing shifts (2 p.m.-12 a.m.). The other is in the ED of nearby Highland Hospital, a part of the Strong Health system. Highland's ED has a census of more than 24,000/year with double attending coverage and mid-level support. The moonlighting resident staffs a separate eight-bed area of the ED and all patients are presented to an attending. This role is an excellent transitional experience because there is attending support. However, since the resident is physically separated from the rest of the ED, the moonlighter effectively works independently.

There are several local independent hospitals that traditionally hire our EM residents to work clinical shifts. Most of these EDs offer double-coverage shifts. Our residents are discouraged from working single-coverage moonlighting shifts before the residency training is complete.