Fellows rotate on the nephrology consult service during their first year of fellowship training. During this rotation, fellows acquire their clinical skills and become proficient in clinical nephrology through their exposure to a large number of patients with a wide variety of renal diseases. Clinical training is provided in all facets of nephrology in both the outpatient and inpatient settings.  The fellowship program is supported by an NIH training grant. 

For their outpatient experiences, all trainees spend one half-day per week in the general nephrology clinic. Fellows will follow their patients throughout the course of the year, allowing them the opportunity to provide continuing care for their patients and to learn the natural history of renal diseases as well as the effectiveness of their therapeutic interventions.

The Inpatient Consultation Service consists of third-year medical residents, medical students, the nephrology fellow and a faculty attending physician. Daily consult rounds are conducted with the attending physician during which instructions on various aspects of clinical nephrology are taught.

During their general nephrology consult rotation, fellows gain expertise in the evaluation and management of patients with glomerulonephritis, acute and chronic renal failure, hereditary renal disorders, tubulointerstitial nephropathies, hypertension, nephrolithiasis, bone and mineral metabolism, intoxications, and fluid and electrolyte disorders. Fellows are also taught the indications, risks, and utilization of various diagnostic studies such as ultrasound, nuclear renal imaging studies, CT urogram, spiral CT scan, MRI/MRA, renal angiography, and renal biopsy. Fellows also become proficient in the placement of temporary hemodialysis catheters, performing percutaneous renal biopsies, and providing hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, hemoperfusion, and continuous renal replacement therapy (CVVHD).

Didactic teaching is an integral component of any nephrology training program. Trainees acquire knowledge in all aspects of clinical nephrology through their participation in weekly Renal Grand Rounds, Journal Clubs, Clinical Case Conferences, and Chief Rounds. In addition, a year-round renal pathophysiology course is specifically organized for the fellows to provide formal instruction in basic renal physiology and pathophysiology of renal diseases.

Clinical Rotations

• UCLA Nephrology Inpatient Consult Service
• UCLA Inpatient Kidney Transplant Service
• Olive View Medical Center County Hospital Inpatient Consult Service
• UCLA General Nephrology Outpatient Continuity Clinic
• UCLA Kidney Transplant Outpatient Clinic
• UCLA Davita Dialysis Unit

Curricuum Syllabus
Nephrology Fellowship Program Application