The PGY-I year is designed to provide an introduction to Emergency Medicine while laying a foundation of basic clinical skills gained in the ED and through specialty rotations. Emphasis is placed on being a "team member" assuming full floor responsibilities and fostering a sense of cooperation between Emergency Medicine and other specialties.

The PGY-II year focuses on the refinement of patient management and the development of major emergency procedural skills. The PGY-II resident is encouraged to assume care of the more seriously ill patients while gradually acquiring more responsibilities in global departmental management.

As a PGY-III Senior Resident, emphasis is placed on multiple patient management with administrative, supervisory, and educational responsibilities. Nine months are spent in the Emergency Department, with a portion of this time as administrative resident. This administrative resident is responsible for conference coordination, toxicology consultation, morbidity and mortality review, and resident scheduling, as well as specific administrative duties. Hands-on experience in the areas of research and emergency medical services, together with the managerial skills acquired as chief resident, provide a foundation for the administrative knowledge needed to pursue a career in these areas. There are two CO-Chief Residents selected annually.

During each of their PGY II and III years, residents will spend one month in Raleigh, NC, at WakeMed Center in the Pediatric Emergency Department. This is a unique clinical educational opportunity in a 42,000-visit state-of-the-art Pediatric Emergency Department. The resident receives instruction from physicians trained in Pediatric Emergency Medicine. A three bedroom apartment is provided at no cost and a portion of the mileage is reimbursed to the resident. Residents have praised the quality of this rotation.

Clinical rotations are continuously monitored by the residency directors to insure educational goals and objectives are met. Residents have extensive opportunity to provide feedback on their clinical experiences and make suggestions for change.