Since 1934, Kern Medical has been training residents and
health care professionals in our community.
Academics
FAQ
Our Hospital
What is Kern Medical?
Kern Medical is an academic teaching hospital, owned and operated by the Kern County Hospital Authority. We are affiliated with the UCLA, Ross University, and the American University of the Caribbean Schools of Medicine, giving an opportunity to assist our 80 full-time faculty physicians and take an active role in the teaching process. On November 15, 2001, Kern Medical Center was designated as a Level II Trauma Center.
How many accredited residency-training programs does Kern Medical have?
Kern Medical currently holds five fully accredited residency-training programs in the Departments of Emergency Medicine, Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Psychiatry.
How many residents does Kern Medical train?
Kern Medical currently has a total of 118 residents in-house that provide expertise and diversity in various clinical arenas.
How many beds does Kern Medical have?
Kern Medical is a 222-bed facility.
What type of patient population does Kern Medical treat?
As a teaching institution, Kern Medical treats a patient population with a wide variety of diagnoses including trauma, head injury, myocardial infarction, respiratory failure, gastrointestinal bleeding, drug overdose, septic shock, congestive heart failure, status-post cardiopulmonary arrest, diabetic ketoacidosis, cardiogenic shock, multi system organ failure and more!
Our Location
Where is Kern Medical located?
Kern Medical is located in the sunny California in the city of Bakersfield. Bakersfield has a population of 330,000 and is one and one half hours north of Los Angeles. With an average of 273 sunny days per year and reasonable cost of living, Bakersfield is a wonderful place to live or visit.
What recreational activities does Bakersfield offer?
Bakersfield caters to its visitors with a wide variety of accommodations, restaurants and services. Bakersfield’s rich cultural diversity is evident in the area’s establishments: theaters (live and movie), museums, and nightlife as well as many food establishments.
Is housing provided to students that complete rotations at Kern Medical?
Kern Medical does not provide housing to medical students, however, there is an affordable apartment complex conveniently located 5 minutes (driving distance) from Kern Medical that offers safe, reasonable apartments (studios, 1 or 2 bedrooms). This particular complex allows students to pay on a month-to-month basis (no lease), and offers furnished apartments. Rates range from $575-$715/month. Rent includes free cable, water, gas, trash, covered parking, and access to a private pool and spa. Country Club Villas, Tel: 661.872-7262.
Student Life
How do I apply for a core position
Please apply directly through your university’s clinical department.
How do I apply for electives?
You may print the application directly from this website. Simply complete and return with current copies of your USMLE Step I report and a copy of your university transcript.
What electives does Kern Medical offer?
A wide array of electives are offered from Anesthesia to Urology. Please, see our sheet of electives offered for specifics.
What Universities does Kern Medical have affiliations with?
Kern Medical currently holds affiliation agreements with the following universities:
- University of California at Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine
- Ross University School of Medicine
- American University of the Caribbean
What if I am from a non-affiliated university?
Kern Medical welcomes medical students from any American medical school. These include a range of medical schools such as University of California Irvine (UCI) to Doctor of Osteopathic students from Western University of Health Sciences (WUHS). To apply, please fill out an application and email it to medicalstudents@kernmedical.com.
Are Fifth Pathway Students accepted?
Sorry, but we do not accept Fifth Pathway medical students. No exceptions will be made to this rule.
What is the hospital's dress code?
All medical students completing clerkship rotation of any type are required to dress professionally and wear a short white lab coat at all times when within the hospital. Scrubs are provided by the medical center while on Surgery and Ob/Gyn rotations. Occasionally, scrubs may be worn when students are post-call on other rotations.
What health documentation will be necessary for me to begin rotations?
It is very, very, important that all students that rotate through Kern Medical provide documentation that they do not have active tuberculosis (a negative TB skin test within 3 months prior to beginning a rotation) and have immunity to Rubella and Hepatitis B, along with records of a physical examination within 12 months prior to beginning a rotation. If this paperwork is not provided, or is even so much as one day outdated, THE STUDENT WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO BEGIN/PERFORM THE CLERKSHIP.
What about required written examinations?
The Medical Student Program administrators provide and proctor end-of-rotation final examinations to students that are completing core clerkships at the conclusion of their rotation(s). Final examinations for elective rotations are available at the conclusion of some elective rotations; however, they are not required!
Kern Medical's Student Union:
Medical students have around-the-clock access to the Student Union, a collaborative study area with computers, cubbies, a conference room and a kitchen and lounge.