TRANSITION TO

CLINICAL
SCIENCES
RESOURCE BOOKLET

DEVELOPED AND DELIVERED BY

YOUR STUDENT AFFAIRS TEAM
 CONTENTS
TABLE OF
JOURNEY TO CLINICAL
4 SCIENCES

5 HEALTH DOCUMENTATION

9 STEP 1 REGISTRATION

STEP 1 STUDY RESOURCES

14
FINANCIAL RESOURCES
16
WELLNESS RESOURCES
21
 LET

THE
GAINS
BEGIN
THE JOURNEY TO
CLINICAL SCIENCES
A GUIDE TO 3RD YEAR
CLINICAL PLACEMENT

Pass CBSE STEP 1 Prep Health Docs

The first step (no pun intended) to start
your core clerkships is to obtain a passing
score on the CBSE exam. Once a passing
score is received, you will be permitted to
take the USMLE Step 1 Exam. Take a peek
at the information regarding the CBSE
exam.
Besides studying, you will need to register
for Step 1, if you have not done so already.
There are multiple steps in completing the
Step 1 application so it best to get the
process started as early as possible. Please
click the icon to access information on the
Step 1 registration process.
Your focus is, understandably, on studying
for Step 1. Please remember your health
documentation will be due PRIOR to your
sit date and plan accordingly. Click on the
icon to review the required documentation.
Please see Health Documentation checklist
on the next page.

Core
Clerkships
Once your Step 1 Score is received, the
Clinical team will add you to the placement
waitlist based on your Step 1 sit date.
Step 1 sit
Date
You have done the hard work of preparing,
and now it's time to shine. Click on the icon
to ensure you sit by your Step 1 deadline.

Orientation
Your Clinical Science Orientation will be a
self-directed, Canvas course. Once you
receive a passing score on the USMLE Step
1 exam, you will be automatically enrolled.
Completion of this course is required to be
eligible for your clinical placement.
1st Day
Moving Day Congrats! You will be receiving hospital-
You will need to ensure you are at your
specific information about orientation and
assigned clinical location a week or more in
where to report on your first day for core
advance. Being at your assigned clinical site
clerkships! Happy Rotating!
early allows you to comply with any hospital
requirements as well as become
acquainted with your new living
environment.
HEALTH
DOCUMENTATION
HOSPITAL PARTNERSHIPS

HOSPITALSUPPORT@ROSSU.EDU
HEALTH DOCUMENTATION
Dear Students,

Congratulations on completing Medical Sciences! Please carefully

read this in its entirety. The following information will help you get
started with completing most of your health requirements for Clinical
Sciences by your Step 1 sit date. Be advised that holds have been
placed on your accounts until you become compliant. I know that you
may be currently studying, but please keep these documents in mind
and allot the appropriate time to have them completed.

If you have a Medical Sciences Complio account, it MUST be

changed to a Clinical Science account:

1. L o g i n t o C o m p l i o
2. C l i c k " O r d e r H i s t o r y " o n t h e l e f t p a n e l
3. S c r o l l t o t h e b o t t o m o f t h e p a g e a n d l o o k u n d e r P u r c h a s e d
Subscriptions - click "Change Subscription" to the far right (this
takes you to the order page)
4. S e l e c t S c h o o l o f M e d i c i n e
5. S e l e c t C l i n i c a l S c i e n c e
6. C l i c k L o a d P a c k a g e s
7. S e l e c t t h e C l i n i c a l S c i e n c e 5 - y e a r s u b s c r i p t i o n p a c k a g e
8. S e l e c t t h e a p p r o p r i a t e c r i m i n a l s e a r c h f o r t h e L e v e l I B a c k g r o u n d
Check (US only, International, or Canadian)
9. S e l e c t t h e a p p r o p r i a t e V E C H S p a c k a g e ( F L R e s i d e n t o r N o n - F L
Resident)
1 0. S e l e c t t h e 1 0 - P a n e l D r u g S c r e e n i f y o u a r e c u r r e n t l y i n t h e U S
(out-of-pocket cost)
1 1. P r o c e e d t o c o m p l e t e a l l o r d e r s
If you DID NOT previously have a Complio account, follow the
instructions below to create your Clinical Sciences account. DO NOT
create an additional account if you already have the Medical Sciences
a c c o u n t . C r e a t e y o u r a c c o u n t h e r e : w w w . R U S M H e a l t h D o c s . c o m. A f t e r
confirming your account and logging in, make the following
selections:

1.Select School of Medicine

2.Select the Clinical Science package
3.Select the 10-Panel Drug Screen if you are currently in the US (out-
of-pocket cost)
4.Select the appropriate criminal search for the Level I Background
Check (US only, International, or Canadian)
5.Select the appropriate VECHS package (FL Resident or Non-FL
Resident) – Then follow the appropriate steps to complete your
fingerprint process and submission
6.Proceed to complete all orders

Things to know when completing your documents:

W h e n o r d e r i n g t h e 1 0 - P a n e l D r u g S c r e e n i n g, p l e a s e D O N O T
select the Random Drug Screening as it is a separate screening.
All health documents except the CPR Certifications are due by
your Step 1 sit date.
CPR Certifications (ACLS/BLS/PALS) – Shortly after submitting
your passing Step 1 score report, you will receive the information
to begin your CPR Certifications training. This is sent directly
from donotreply@heart.org and is sent at the beginning of each
month.
4Med Certificates (HIPAA, OSHA, TB Prevention, Infection
Control) – A link will be emailed to you from 4Med. Please make
sure to check your junk/spam folders. Complete your
certifications within 1 week of receiving the email from 4Med
containing your link to access the courses.
 PPE Training Course – Use the following link to access and
complete the PPE Training Course in Canvas:
h t t p s : / / r o s s m e d . i n s t r u c t u r e . c o m / e n r o l l / B L G X H 3. I f y o u h a v e
i s s u e s a c c e s s i n g t h i s c o u r s e , p l e a s e e m a i l L M S @ r o s s u . e d u. U p o n
completing the course and earning a 100% score, take a screen
shot of your final score. Refer to the attached "PPE Best
Practices Completion instructions".
VECHS Fingerprint Level II Background Check – If there is no
date in the “Fingerprint Confirmation” requirement area, then you
MUST complete this again. This is REQUIRED, even though it is
listed as optional in Complio, and if you completed one in Medical
Sciences. If there is a date in the “Fingerprint Confirmation”
requirement area, then you DO NOT need to complete this.
To complete this: select and order one of the packages on
Complio that corresponds to your Florida resident status –
"VECHS FL Resident" or "VECHS FL Non-Resident”. After
confirming your order, you will receive an email from American
DataBank within 24 hours containing detailed instructions for
completing your fingerprints and background check process
(also attached to this email). Please make sure to check your
junk/spam folders.
Please note that the Level I Background Check (criminal
search), is separate from the Level II Background Check
(VECHS Fingerprint).
COVID-19 Vaccine – Upload the same vaccine card or exemption
letter/email that is approved in the RUSM Safe App. If you
received a vaccine with 2 doses, make sure to upload your card to
both dose 1 and 2 sections within the requirement. Complio will
mark it incomplete if this is not done.

For any questions or concerns, please email

HospitalSupport@RossU.Edu with the subject line "Health Docs
Inquiry".

CONTACT US
For any questions or concerns, please email
HospitalSupport@RossU.Edu with the subject line
"Health Docs Inquiry".
STEP 1
REGISTRATION
THE OFFICE OF REGISTRAR

REGISTRAR@ROSSU.EDU
 Office of the Registrar
Transition from Medical to Clinical Sciences

Dear Katie:

This notification has been prepared for students completing their final semester of Medical Sciences. As you
prepare to transition to Clinical Sciences, while taking the National Board of Medical Examiners® (NBME)
Comprehensive Basic Science Examination (CBSE) and studying for the United States Medical Licensing
Examination® (USMLE) Step 1, it is imperative to stay informed about how your enrollment status will
change and corresponding examination deadlines.

Enrollment Status: Post Medical Sciences - Temporary Withdrawn (TW)

Starting: April 21, 2023
Once you successfully complete this semester, you will be automatically placed in a Temporary Withdrawn
(TW) status and reported as “not enrolled/withdrawn” to National Students Loan Data System (NSLDS) and
Clearinghouse, effective the last day of the term. A student in this status is still considered an RUSM
student, but is not actively enrolled in courses or clinical rotations. Please note that RUSM defines a “gap”
as a period of non-enrollment that is more than 31 calendar days in duration, including a TW status.

You will remain in TW status for the duration of the gap period between completing Medical Sciences and
starting clinical rotations. You will be automatically placed into an Active (AS) status once you begin your
first clinical rotation. Throughout your Clinical Sciences curriculum, you will be placed in a TW status
anytime there is a gap in between clinical rotations of over 31 days. Please note that all gaps must be
accounted for and disclosed. Our office will notify you when it is required that you submit a Gap Disclosure
Form, which serves as an acknowledgement by you of any period of non-enrollment with RUSM (gap).

NBME CBSE
Students completing Medical Sciences have up to three attempts to meet the minimum passing score
(MPS) on the NBME CBSE prior to advancing to Step 1. Students are required to take their first attempt on
campus at the Exam Center. Subsequent attempts are taken at a Prometric center where testing windows
are pre-established by the Office of the Registrar (listed below). Please note students are notified in
advance upon registration of their two week, NBME testing windows.

• First Attempt: 04/21/2023

• Second Attempt: 06/05/2023-06/18/2023
• Third Attempt: 07/31/2023-08/13/2023

Students who fail to earn the MPS by their third attempt on the NBME CBSE or fail to sit during the
pre-established testing windows will be referred to the Clinical Student Promotions Committee
(CSPC) for escalation and further review. Students are expected to demonstrate good faith and perform
at their optimal level in completing the exam. Failure to do so may result in a student being referred to the
Office of Student Conduct.

USMLE Step 1
Students are eligible to take Step 1 upon passing the NBME CBSE with a 62 or higher. The guide below
provides step by step instructions on how to apply for Step 1 with ECFMG. Students who have passed the
NBME CBSE must sit for their Step 1 exam prior to the start of the next clinical term. Therefore, if you
complete Medical Sciences in Spring– your deadline is 08/31/2023. Students who fail to sit by the
deadline will be referred to the Clinical Sciences Promotions Committee (CSPC). Students are advised
that a passing USMLE Step 1 score is required to start clinical rotations (cores or electives). Upon receipt of
your score, please submit a copy of your report (PDF) within 30 days of receipt to
ExamAdministration@rossu.edu.

USMLE STEP 1 APPLICATION INFORMATION

The following information has been prepared for students to assist them in obtaining an Educational Commission
for Foreign Medical Graduates® (ECFMG) United States Medical Licensing Examinations® (USMLE)
identification number and the process for the USMLE Step 1 application. Please note that ECFMG is a separate,
third party entity and their policies, process times and fees are separate from RUSM.

For questions about applying to ECFMG for USMLE examinations, Form 186, application status please
contact ECFMG’s Applicant Information Services Department directly at info@ecfmg.org or (215)
386-5900.

 Applying for your ECFMG Number

Prior to applying for your first USMLE registration and submitting the Certification of Identification Form (Form
186), you must first obtain an ECFMG/USMLE ID number.

This is an 8-digit number that is assigned to you, which you will use for all future correspondence with ECFMG
and required for every future exam. To do so, you can link to IWA (Interactive Web Application) through the
ECFMG main page at www.ecfmg.org. This process takes up to a week to obtain your ID number.

A very important point to remember is to list your name EXACTLY how it’s shown on the government ID you will
present when you write the exam and use this exact format when you apply for the Step 1. If there is a
discrepancy between your entered names when applying for the ECFMG number, applying for the Step 1, or
when presenting ID, ECFMG will reject the application or not allow you to sit for the exam. Additionally, this is
how your name must be written on your diploma, ECFMG certificate or license when applicable. If you should
change your name in the future, you will need to do so through both RUSM and ECFMG.

 Form 186 and Application

ECFMG requires applicants to complete the Certification of Identification Form (Form 186) as part of their
Application for ECFMG Certification through NotaryCam, which is completed before applicants can submit an
application for a USMLE exam.

NotaryCam provides convenient, on-line access to professionally licensed and certified U.S. notaries. Both on-
demand and scheduled NotaryCam sessions are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a
year. The fee for using the NotaryCam service is included in the student’s fee for Application for ECFMG
Certification.

Once ECFMG receives your notarized Form 186 and processes your USMLE exam application, they will place
your exam eligibility window on the secured online ECFMG Medical School Web Portal (EMSWP) within two to
three weeks. Students may track the status of their application on the ECFMG website through OASIS (On-line
Applicant Status and Information System).

*Please note that RUSM does not automatically receive a student's exam eligibility window upon the completion
of their ECFMG application. Please be aware that there is a delay between ECFMG's processing and when it is
placed on the secured online ECFMG Medical School Web Portal (EMSWP) for verification by RUSM.

 RUSM Verification
RUSM's Office of the Registrar, Exam Administration department routinely monitors EMSWP to review newly
added exam eligibility windows. Once your exam eligibility window is posted, it is reviewed for eligibility and
verified by RUSM within 7-10 business days.

Once verified, your scheduling permit will become available to you via email from ECFMG within a few days.
Please note that if you are withdrawn or dismissed from RUSM, your status is rescinded with ECFMG. Be sure
to keep the scheduling permit in a secure location as it will indicate the three-month period of eligibility. Loss of
a permit may require that you cancel the scheduled testing appointment and reschedule once a replacement
permit is received.
USMLE Application Information
The following is information we would like you to be aware of when completing USMLE application fields:

• Legal Name: You will be registered with ECFMG and eventually licensed under this name. The spelling and
order of the name on your scheduling permit must match exactly the spelling and order of the name on the
form of identification you present at the test center. Additionally, this name should match the name to be
written on your diploma. Name discrepancies may create licensing problems in the future. If you should
change your name, you will need to submit certified documentation to both RUSM and ECFMG. Please use
the name that you currently have on a government issued ID (Passport, passport card, birth certificate, etc.)
• Eligibility Period and Testing Region: In order to be eligible for certification for the USMLE Step 1 exam,
you must have successfully completed the Medical Sciences curriculum.
• Medical School Name and Address: Two Mile Hill, St. Michael Barbados, BB11093. In order to apply
through ECFMG, you must be registered at a university that is listed in the International Medical Education
Directory or IMED. Each university is listed under their country of origin, and therefore the Barbados address
must be used when completing the application.
• Medical School Information: List your attendance dates as your matriculation date to your “Anticipated
Graduation Date." Indicate that you have attended at least two academic years of education or ECFMG will
reject your application as ineligible. The title of Medical Degree you will receive is “M.D.” or “Doctor of
Medicine.” The number of years attended is the total of the program, four years. You are not required to
complete an internship prior to graduation.

Accommodations
If a student requires an accommodation for any phase of the USMLE testing, it is the student’s responsibility to
seek that accommodation directly from NBME in compliance with their policies. RUSM has no influence or
decision making authority with regard to requests for reasonable accommodations made to third parties. Please
note that the review for accommodations may take longer than 90 days. It is recommended that the student
prepare by gathering documents required by NBME standards at least six months prior to submitting the
application.

Students seeking accommodations through the NBME are still required to adhere to the curricular and
administrative deadlines for sitting for USMLE Step examinations outlined in the Student handbook, including, but
not limited to, the section on graduation requirements. Failure to obtain accommodations from NBME will not
exempt a student from meeting those deadlines and requirements. It is the student’s responsibility to understand
and comply with both RUSM and NBME timelines.

The Office of Student Disability Services is available to advise RUSM students regarding the accommodation
request processes but has no decision making authority with respect to the outcome of such requests through
NBME. Please contact their office at rossmedosds@adtalem.com or by phone at 855-229-0848.

Sincerely,

Office of the Registrar, Exam Administration

Ross University School of Medicine
ExamAdministration@RossU.edu
STEP 1 STUDY
RESOURCES
ACADEMY OF TEACHING AND LEARNING

CATL@ROSSU.EDU
 STEP 1 Prep with
Clinical ATL
CHECK OUT the Canvas course for the Pathways to STEP 1
program !
This program will help you take your next best step towards success on USMLE
STEP 1. It will cover some of the following topics:
Development of a study strategy High Yield Q&A Sessions
Importance of a study timeline Connect you with your peers
Individualized advising and tutoring Access to wellness support

SCHEDULE an Academic Tutoring and/or Advising Session

Academic advising will help you:
1. Review your overall study
strategy
2. Help you confirm the right
resources
Tutoring sessions will allow you
to review Step 1 MCQ questions
on your preferred areas for
improvement.

Scan here or email cATL@RossU.edu

for the individual advisor's links to
schedule your initial session.

JOIN the weekly STEP 1 Q&A sessions

These large-group sessions are led by our

Teaching Assistants and will consist of 10-
15 high-yield questions.
They are Tuesdays from 5 PM - 6:30 PM EST.

Keep STUDYING !!!

Keep up the momentum of studying for STEP 1!

The more consistent you are studying, the better!

“The chapter you are learning today is

going to save someone’s life tomorrow.”
-Anonymous
FINANCIAL
RESOURCES
STUDENT FINANCE OFFICE

FINAID@ROSSU.EDU
STEP 1 PREP & TITLE IV FINANCIAL AID
Students who successfully complete their Medical Sciences
curriculum will be placed in a TW status and reported as not enrolled
to NSLDS and Clearinghouse after the last day of the term.

Requesting or receiving a TW will have an impact on your obligation

to repay tuition and student loans. For purposes of student loan
deferment, loans will go into repayment status as of the last
academically related event. A student in TW status is still considered
a RUSM student, but not currently enrolled in classes. Students are
not eligible for Title IV Financial Aid or private educational loans
while they are not actively enrolled.

US federal loan recipients who are placed in a TW status are

reported to the US Department of Education as withdrawn. Students
are advised to contact their loan servicer(s) directly to discuss their
r e p a y m e n t s t a t u s a n d w h a t o t h e r o p t i o n s m a y b e a v a i l a b l e,
including: 1) a grace period; 2) deferment or 3) forbearance request.
These options, if available, may allow a student to postpone
payments while in a TW status. Students will also be required to
complete Exit Counseling to assist with this understanding.

Exit Counseling: Students who have received a subsidized,

unsubsidized or graduate PLUS loan(s) under the Direct Loan
Program or the FFEL Program, are requested to complete exit
counseling each time they drop below halftime enrollment, graduate,
or leave school, but are only required to complete this once per
institution. Students must complete exit counseling at
w w w . s t u d e n t a i d . g o v. D u r i n g e x i t c o u n s e l i n g , y o u w i l l r e v i e w y o u r
rights and responsibilities as a borrower.
HEALTH INSURANCE
RUSM offers a student health insurance plan through Aetna Student
Health. Students interested in waiving the university-sponsored
health insurance, will need to waive insurance in the Fall for a new
academic year, even if they are not currently enrolled (including TW
status) or are not planning on returning until the Spring or Summer
semesters. Students may waive the student health insurance plan
through Aetna if they have their own equivalent health insurance
policy that meets the published waiver standards and is approved by
Aetna. Waivers are accepted once per year (Fall).

Students will not be charged for health insurance while in TW status

during their Step Prep break. Students can request reinstatement of
university sponsored health insurance while in TW status if they wish
to maintain Aetna coverage while not enrolled in courses. Please
note that once you submit the reinstatement request, any Aetna
insurance waivers previously approved will be removed and you will
not be eligible to waive insurance until the waiver period is open in
the Fall.

Steps to request reinstatement:

Log into My Ross Med
Click on “Account Overview”
Click on "Health Insurance Reinstatement Form"
Select the term you are requesting insurance to begin
Check the agreement box
Click on “Submit”
MANAGING YOUR FINANCIAL ACCOUNT
Students are responsible for managing their balances while in TW
status for Step 1 Prep and will have registration holds for past due
balances on their account when returning for Clinical Sciences.
Students who have not completed an approved health insurance
waiver will continue to be charged for health insurance at the start of
each semester.

Students who are using Title IV Financial Aid are encouraged to

continue to complete their FAFSA with each new academic year prior
to the Fall semester. This will help ensure there are no issues or
delays when transitioning back into Clinical Sciences.

Payment Method Options

Option 1: Financial Payment Gateway (accessed directly from My Ross
Med):
ACH (fee-free) - Pay your balance using your routing and account
numbers to your US-based checking or savings accounts.
PayPath Tuition Payment Service (non-refundable 2.75%
convenience fee is charged at the time of the transaction).
Accepted cards are: Visa, MasterCard, and Discover (including
Diners Club, JCB, UnionPay, BC Card, and DinaCard).

To make a payment through the Financial Payment Gateway, please

follow the steps below:
Log into My Ross Med (Google Chrome™ is the preferred browser)
Select Account Overview
Select View Your Payments & Charges
You will be rerouted to the Financial Payment Gateway
Click on Make a Payment
You will be routed through several steps that will allow you to
complete your payment
 Option 2: PayMyTuition by MTFX Wire Transfer Service -
https://www.paymytuition.com/paynow/rossumed
Provides payment tracking and immediate currency conversion
information to ensure that your payment is made for the full, and
correct amount. Note: If you do not find your currency in the drop-
down menu, please contact the Office of Student Finance for
more information.

Option 3: Pay with a check by mail–

Payment must be signed and include your student ID
Personal check, money order, certified funds check, or travelers
check are accepted.
All funds must be in U.S. dollars. *For international students
submitting payment, please ensure that your payment is drawn on
a U.S. dollar account and in U.S. funds. Payments made in a
foreign currency may be returned and refused.
Please make the check payable to Ross University School of
Medicine.
Mail the payment to one of the following mailing addresses:

Overnight Address: Standard Mailing Address:

Bank of America Lockbox Services RUSM (Barbados) Inc.
RUSM (Barbados) Inc 7512 PO Box 74007512
540 W. Madison, 4th Floor Chicago, IL 60674-7512
Chicago, IL 60661

CONTACT US
If you need any assistance or have any questions, please reach out
to Student Finance Advising at finaid@rossu.edu or 732-509-3051.

Students are encouraged to reach out to Student Finance Advising

when making preparations for return to Clinical Sciences to help
determine any steps that need to be completed.
WELLNESS
RESOURCES
WELLNESS AND COUNSELING CENTER

RUSMWELLNESSANDCOUNSELING@ROSSU.EDU
CLINICAL STUDENT SUPPORT NETWORK

Student BI T / CARE
Conduct Team

Wel l ness &

Counsel i ng

REMINDERS DURING DEDICATED

1. R e m e m b e r y o u ' r e a s t u d e n t
2. B u i l d a p o s i t i v e p r o f e s s i o n a l r e p u t a t i o n f o r y o u r s e l f
3. A s k f o r h e l p e a r l y

STUDENT WELLBEING IN
ACADEMIC MEDICINE
This Canvas course is a one-stop-shop for wellness and student
support resources. You can access student support resources,
self-assessments, Mind Body Medicine, departmental contact
information, academic wellness considerations and more. Assess
the site at the QR code above.
 CLINICAL COUNSELING
The Clinical Support Team has developed a team of therapists
that specialize in medical student mental health. We have
therapist that can provide therapy in 10+ states. Here is a
snapshot of the team.
 If you have our Student Aetna health insurance this service is
free and unlimited to you during your clinical years. Reach out to
our counseling team at rusmwellnesandcounseling@rossu.edu to
schedule a session with one of our team members.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
S t u d y W e l l n e s s C o a c h i n g - W e c a n as s i s t w i t h p r e p p i n g y o u f o r
Step 1 nationwide.

C a s e M a n a g e m e n t - We c a n a s s i s t y o u w i t h f i n d i n g p r o v i d e r s ( i . e .
counseling, daycare) near your home.

Clinical Consultation - If you're unsure what you need to improve

your mental health and wellbeing, you can always call one of our
therapists and we can guide you to the provider that can best
help you.

HAVE A STUDENT CONCERN?

We work as a team to ensure every student is safe and whole.
You are a part of that team. If you ever have a wellness concern,
do not hesitate to reach out to our BIT / CARE team via the QR
code above.
 CLINICAL SCIENCES

THE JUGGLING ACT

 WORK

HARD
WORK

SMART
 CLINICAL SCIENCES

SELF CARE

I am
grateful
for
When in doubt,
breathe.

MIND BODY MEDICINE