Arts Specialist in Training – Department of Anesthesiology

Push the boundaries as a resident specialist

UZ Leuven has approximately 2,000 beds and positions itself as a European center for cutting-edge medicine, developmental medicine, and clinical research. The Department of Anesthesiology has a high volume of clinical activity and features a modern infrastructure equipped with all state-of-the-art forms of anesthesia monitoring, all within an operating room complex that was recently (2018) completely renovated. Nearly 60,000 anesthesia procedures are performed annually in the operating rooms, the delivery room, and at various locations outside the operating room complex. All possible techniques are utilized here. In addition, the Department of Anesthesiology also operates a chronic pain center.

Several positions are available for completing a full anesthesiology residency program at 80–90% or 100% employment. If you wish to work at 100%, the training program lasts 5 years, including 3 to 4 years at UZ Leuven, 1–2 years at a partner training center, and possibly 1 year at a Dutch training center. This training also includes one year during which you will work in an intensive care unit and in the emergency department.

If you wish to work only 80% or 90%, the training period is legally extended by one year or six months, respectively. The training program follows the official Belgian and Flemish accreditation criteria. At the end of the training program, you will obtain certification as an anesthesiologist, allowing you to practice as an anesthesiologist throughout the European Union. Each year, 5–10 non-Belgian physicians complete their specialist training at our center.

During the training, you will learn all relevant anesthesia techniques, acquire a strong theoretical background, develop basic skills in emergency medicine and intensive care, and learn the basic principles of chronic pain management. The full spectrum of surgical and nonsurgical conditions is covered.

An interest in research is a plus.

How do you push boundaries?

Clinical: You will administer anesthesia under supervision, gradually taking on more autonomy.
Organizational: In consultation with your supervisor, you manage your operating room.
Education: In addition to direct, case-related, bedside teaching, you also have a strong interest in—and actively participate in—the theoretical education organized by the department. You are also a student at KU Leuven and will ultimately earn a Master’s degree in Specialist Medicine. To this end, during your residency you will take a series of theoretical lectures, simulation training, and practical courses (such as point-of-care ultrasound).
You are also required to write a master’s thesis. This must be completed by the end of the training program.
On-call duty: You will participate in the on-call rotation system on a pro-rata basis according to your employment percentage.
During the program, you must pass the first (theoretical) part of the “European Diploma in Anesthesiology and Intensive Care examination (EDAIC)” and a clinical skills exam.
What do you need for this?

You must be licensed as a physician in a European country and must obtain recognition of the equivalence of your medical degree in Belgium (a streamlined administrative procedure for European degrees).
You speak one of Belgium’s three official languages (Dutch, French, or German) at the C1 level and are willing to learn Dutch quickly if you are not a native Dutch speaker.
You are a team player and are willing to collaborate constructively with your immediate colleagues in anesthesiology as well as with colleagues from other disciplines to provide high-quality, excellent patient care in a positive spirit.
You participate in (inter)national conferences in the field of anesthesiology to stay up-to-date.
You diligently follow the clinical and theoretical training program to become an anesthesiologist, and you are also committed to training nurses and students.

What do you get in return?

A challenging, varied, and comprehensive training program with a wide range of interesting cases (including thoracic and abdominal organ transplants and a large pediatric caseload). All this in a pleasant atmosphere with a young, dynamic, and motivated team.
You will be trained in all modern anesthesia techniques, including advanced locoregional anesthesia. We are an international fellowship center for locoregional anesthesia (recognized by the European Society of Regional Anesthesia & Pain Therapy), obstetric anesthesia, and cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia (accredited by the European Association of Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology and Intensive Care).
You will become familiar with all modalities of perioperative monitoring (neuromonitoring, cardiac output monitoring, etc.) and perioperative imaging (echocardiography, etc.).
You will be compensated in accordance with the ASO regulations.
Ready to push the boundaries?

Please send your cover letter and resume, quoting reference number 2511, to UZ Leuven, attn. Prof. Dr. Marc Van de Velde, training coordinator, via email to marc.vandevelde@uzleuven.be, and to Prof. Dr. Steffen Rex, head of the Department of Anesthesiology, via email to steffen.rex@uzleuven.be.

For more information about this opening, please contact Prof. Dr. Marc Van de Velde at marc.vandevelde@uzleuven.be or Prof. Dr. Steffen Rex at steffen.rex@uzleuven.be