Board of Directors Fellow in Training (FIT) Program

Next Application Deadline:
January 13, 2025

Currently Accepting Applications?
Yes

Participation Duration:
March 2025 to June 2026

The ACMT Board of Directors FIT Program is intended to introduce the fellow to the process of board governance, non-profit budget construction, and activities of the College. The appointment will provide the fellow with an experience that will enhance his/her career in medical toxicology and help him or her develop leadership skills that could lead to later participation as a committee chair or a board member of a non-profit organization. It provides a unique networking opportunity with medical toxicology leaders from around the country and also provides a strong voice for a fellow-in-training member, reflecting the concerns of the next generation of medical toxicologists.

Application Process and Requirements

Application Deadline: January 13, 2025
Send all application materials to membership@acmt.net

Required materials:

  • Application materials should include a cover letter, one-page personal statement, current curriculum vitae, two letters of recommendation from medical toxicologists (one must be the fellowship director), and two to three proposed topics for future “Fellow Perspective” columns. The proposed column topics should augment the personal statement (see below) by demonstrating thoughtful and original suggestions.
    • Personal Statement: The personal statement should reflect the applicant’s personality and particular interests in medicine, it should also discuss the applicant’s specific background, experience, interest and career goals.  
    • Letters of recommendation: Letters of recommendation should be from two medical toxicologists who have had an opportunity to work closely with the applicant in a professional setting and are familiar with the applicant’s background in research, writing, and editing. One letter must be from the fellowship director. Specific content of the letters of recommendation must include the applicant’s academic accomplishments, and leadership potential; clinical and teaching performance is not sufficient. Letters of recommendation can be sent by email to membership@acmt.net.

For more information, contact Paul Wax, MD, FACMT, Executive Director at paul.wax@acmt.net.

Selection Process

All fellows in the first year of an accredited Medical Toxicology program are eligible to apply for this opportunity. The appointment is a 16-month commitment from March to June. Members of the selection committee, including the ACMT President and ACMT Executive Director, will review all applications. The ideal applicant should be self-motivated, independent, and have a strong interest in developing their leadership skills. These interests should be evident in activities and accomplishments in years previous to the application. Previous experience with non-profit organizations (e.g., EMRA, medical student organization, non-medical non-profit organizations) is preferred. The applicant must attend the ACMT board meetings. These are held at the ACMT Annual Scientific Meeting and the annual NAACT meeting. In addition, there are 2 teleconferences every year. 

Desirable Personal Characteristics

  • Ability to: listen, analyze, think clearly and creatively, and work well with people individually and in a group.
  • Willing to: prepare for and attend board and committee meetings, ask questions, take responsibility and follow through on a given assignment. 
  • Possess: honesty, sensitivity to and tolerance of differing views, a friendly, responsive, and patient approach, community-building skills, personal integrity, a developed sense of values, concern for your nonprofit’s development, and a sense of humor.

Duties and Responsibilities

The term begins at the Board of Directors meeting of the ACMT Annual Scientific Meeting every year and concludes at the end of June of the following year. The fellows’ responsibilities will include the following activities:

  1. Attend all board meetings.
  2. Be informed about the organization’s mission, strategic plan, policies, and programs. 
  3. Review agenda and supporting materials prior to board and committee meetings. 
  4. Makes serious commitment to participate actively in at least one committee of the fellow’s choosing and offer to take on special assignments
  5. Inform others about the organization.
  6. Keep up-to-date on developments in the organization’s field. 
  7. Follow conflict of interest and confidentiality policies. 
  8. Assist the board in carrying out its fiduciary responsibilities, such as reviewing the organization’s annual financial statements and understanding the budget process.
  9. Understand the board’s annual evaluation and planning efforts. 
  10. Write a Fellow Perspective for the ACMT Newsletter 2 times per year.

Time Commitment

The total expected time commitment is 2 to 6 hours per week.

The program director will work closely with the Fellow to ensure time will be made available for attendance at the meetings and orientation described in this document.