Postgraduate Trainees

Postgraduate Trainees are post-MD trainees who are pursuing further clinical or research training in their own specialty, but who have not yet completed sufficient training that would allow them to be listed (registered) as a specialist in their home country.

Click the tabs below to find more information on eligibility, application procedures, English language proficiency requirements, and more.

 

In response to the ongoing COVID-19 situation please refer to our FAQ page for the latest information impacting postgraduate trainees.

 

Eligibility

International Postgraduate Trainee appointments at UBC are available to:

  • Post-MD trainees who are pursuing further clinical or research training in their own specialty, but who have not yet completed sufficient training that would allow them to be listed (registered) as a specialist in their home country.
  • Candidates who have met the time requirements of training but who have not succeeded in the examination requirements of their specialty. This requirement will only be waived if the candidate is within a two-year period of examination eligibility.

Note: Training provided in this appointment will NOT be evaluated by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. This appointment will NOT be considered for positions as a paid physician assistant, nor postdoctoral research trainees, nor subspecialty residents.

Application Process and Timeline

The Application for Approval of Appointment of International Postgraduate Trainee Form has been formulated so that the training of postgraduate trainees can be documented, and the information entered into the CAPER database and postgraduate templates.

Application Process
  1. The Application for Approval of Appointment of International Postgraduate Trainee Form must be completed and signed by the following individuals, in the following order:
    • Postgraduate Trainee
    • Training Supervisor
    • UBC Department/Division Head
    • Health Authority Department Head/Division Head/Chief Officer of training site(s)
  2. Once all signatures have been obtained, the Department is responsible for submitting the application, complete with aforementioned signatures to the Postgraduate Medical Education Dean’s Office through the RMS-CFM. The Postgraduate Dean signs the application indicating approval and the application form will be uploaded to RMS-CFM. The Department is then responsible for downloading the signed forms from RMS-CFM and obtaining licensure from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia. All new users are required to complete the RMS Clinical Fellow Module online training and complete the quiz at the end of the training before granting access to the module. Please find this link for the training and contact pgme.electives@ubc.ca after training completion to request for access.
  3. The applicant must pay a $100.00 non-refundable, non-transferable administrative fee. The administrative fee can be paid by Internal Service Delivery (ISD) or online. Please note that extensions under six months do not require the administration fee.

Note: Complete application must be submitted to PGME a minimum of 8 weeks in advance of the training start date. Failure to meet this deadline will result to returned application.

Administrative Fees

Administrative fees can be paid online or by Internal Service Delivery (ISD).

Postgraduate Trainee Fee is $100.00

Note: For payment submission using ISD, programs are requested to provide program ID/Workday worktag to pgme.electives@ubc.ca.

Credentials Verification

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC) requires all physicians who have completed their medical education outside of Canada and who are now seeking medical licensure in B.C. submit copies of certain documents to the Medical Council of Canada’s Physicians Apply for source verification.

Check the CPSBC’s website for more information on credentials verification requirements.

English Language Proficiency Requirements

Any candidate for licensure in British Columbia must have the ability to speak, read, and write English to the satisfaction of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia’s Registration Committee.

Further information about CPSBC English Language Proficiency requirements can be found here.

Registration Fees

Postgraduate Trainees are not registered as residents with the University and do not have to pay registration fees. However, they will be required to pay an annual licensing fee to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC.

Salary

Postgraduate Trainees are not under the umbrella of the Resident Doctors of BC. Salary arrangements are the responsibility of the sponsoring agency or specialty program.

Insurance

Postgraduate Trainees are required to purchase personal medical malpractice liability insurance for their activities.

Immigration / Work Permit Documentation

Questions

Questions regarding the appointments of Postgraduate Trainees can be sent to pgme.electives@ubc.ca. Please allow five business days for a response.