IMGs, be aware that working in a physician's office getting hands-on experience may be viewed as illegal. The Medical Board of California July newsletter has an interesting article on page five warning physicians that allowing IMGs to work in offices treating patients is "only lawful if the scope of the work is no more than a medical assistant would perform."
The article goes on to focus on letters of recommendation for residency written by physicians who work with IMGs. "While the Board understands the desire to assist the international graduate, letters written by physicians that indicate they have allowed the unlicensed international graduate to perform examinations and assist with patient care activities in their offices can result in a charge of aiding and abetting the unlicensed practice of medicine."
The article never explicitly defines a "medical assistant" but refers to the fact that this role only requires a high school diploma.
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