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, USC, and Western University of Health of Sciences Schools of Medicine, providing opportunities 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 six fully accredited residency-training programs in the Departments of Emergency Medicine, General Surgery, Internal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Psychiatry, and Transitional Year.
In addition, Kern Medical offers accredited fellowship programs in Addiction Medicine, Addiction Psychiatry, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, and Infectious Disease.
How many residents does Kern Medical train?
Kern Medical currently has a total of 121 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 Bakersfield, California. Bakersfield has a population of 400,000 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 offers a wide variety of accommodations, restaurants, and entertainment. The city’s cultural diversity is reflected in its theaters (live and film), museums, nightlife, and dining options.
Is housing provided to students that complete rotations at Kern Medical?
Kern Medical does not provide housing to medical students.
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?
To apply for electives, visit our Application & Scheduling page to review the requirements and submit your application.
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:
- Keck School of Medicine of USC
- University of California at Los Angeles (David Geffen School of Medicine)
- Western University of Health Sciences
What if I am from a non-affiliated university?
Kern Medical welcomes medical students from any U.S medical school, including institutions such as the University of California Irvine (UCI) to Doctor of Osteopathic students from California Health Sciences University. To apply, submit your application through the Visiting Student Learning Opportunities program.
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 are required to dress professionally and wear a short white lab coat at all times while in the hospital. Scrubs are provided for 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?
All students rotating through Kern Medical must provide documentation showing:
- A statement of fitness within 12 months before the start of the rotation
- A negative TB skin test or IGRA within 30 days before starting a rotation
- Quantitative antibody titer results for Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, and Hepatitis B
- Hep C antibody test within 90 days of start date
If this documentation is incomplete or even one day outdated, the student will not be allowed to begin the clerkship.
Kern Medical's Student Union:
Medical students have 24-hour access to the Student Union — a collaborative study area with computers, cubbies, a conference room, kitchen, and lounge. Check out the Student Union here!