Moonlighting Policy

I.  Preamble

The term “resident” is inclusive of all trainees at SIU School of Medicine, whether training in a residency or fellowship program. The goals of this policy are to outline:

• the allowable parameters for moonlighting
• the steps required to apply for moonlighting approval

Residents will accept no responsibilities for professional activities outside the scope of the Residency Program (including, but not limited to "moonlighting") unless approved in writing by the employing hospital via the Office of Graduate Medical Education (OGME) and the Program Director, who shall have discretion as to whether or not such outside professional activities are permitted. Residents must not be required to engage in “moonlighting.” 

If a program chooses to allow moonlighting, there must be an internal policy established with the specific parameters for the program.

Section I: External Moonlighting

This is defined as voluntary, compensated, medically–related work performed outside the training program. With regard to those residency programs in which outside professional activities may be permitted, the following shall apply:

a.  The professional activities must be of educational value and must not interfere with the ability of the resident to achieve the goals and objectives of the educational program.

b.  The professional activities must have the approval of the Program Director. The Program Director must acknowledge this approval in writing, and a copy of that acknowledgement must be included in the resident’s file.

c.  The professional activities must have approval of the employing hospital.*

d. The professional activities must not detract from the Residency Program or interfere in any way with the educational experience, performance or responsibilities of the resident.  If such moonlighting activities are approved, the Program Director must monitor the resident for the effect of moonlighting activities upon performance. Adverse effects may lead to withdrawal of permission.

e.  All time spent moonlighting must be entered into New Innovations in a timely and accurate manner and counted toward the 80 hour weekly limit on work hours. Moonlighting on vacation does not need to be recorded, however the residents must ensure they are adequately rested and fit to provide the services required by their patients when returning to duty.

f.  PGY-1 residents are not permitted to moonlight.

g.  Residents must:

1. have the appropriate training and skills to carry out the assigned duties;
2. have no letter of deficiency or letter of concern in effect;
3. hold a valid permanent (unrestricted) license and a controlled substance license;
4. provide proof of valid professional liability (malpractice) insurance other than that provided by the employing hospital for the Residency Program;
5. be a U.S. citizen or have a permanent work permit (employment authorization) to moonlight.  Residents with J-1 visas are not permitted to moonlight in accordance with the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations governing the Exchange Visitor Sponsorship Program.

h.  A resident who is found to be moonlighting in violation of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

     *For Springfield residents, employing hospitals in general will not approve moonlighting activities in the specialty of the resident’s current training program. All moonlighting requests are reviewed on a case by case basis. Employing hospital administrators will give preference to the following requests:

• Activities within Sangamon County;
• Activities located in a contiguous county to Sangamon and within the employing hospital’s health system.

Section II:  Internal Moonlighting

In rare instances, at the discretion of the program director, a program may find it appropriate to organize internal moonlighting. This is defined as voluntary, compensated, medically-related work (not related with training requirements) performed under supervision, within the institution in which the resident is in training or at any of its related participating sites. With regard to those residency programs in which internal moonlighting may be permitted, the following guidelines apply:

1. have the appropriate training and skills to carry out the assigned duties;
2. have no letter of deficiency or letter of concern in effect;
3. hold a valid temporary or permanent (unrestricted) license;
4. be a U.S. citizen or have a permanent work permit (employment authorization) to moonlight.  Residents with J-1 visas are not permitted to moonlight in accordance with the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations governing the Exchange Visitor Sponsorship Program.