Clinical Assistant Licenses in Canada: A Guide for IMGs скачать в хорошем качестве

Clinical Assistant Licenses in Canada: A Guide for IMGs

For international medical graduates (IMGs) looking to practice in Canada, Clinical Assistant licenses offer an alternative career path. In this session, we provide an overview of what Clinical Assistants do, which provinces offer this license, and key eligibility requirements. 🔹 What is a Clinical Assistant? Clinical Assistants are internationally trained medical doctors (MDs) who provide medical support under physician supervision. This role is not an independent practice position and does not count toward breaking a clinical practice gap. 🔹 Who is eligible? ✔️ Must have an MD degree from outside Canada. ✔️ Must have at least one year of postgraduate training (including internship). ✔️ Must have recent experience as a general practitioner (GP) or specialist in most provinces. 🔹 Which Provinces Offer Clinical Assistant Licenses? Not all provinces regulate Clinical Assistants. Here’s where you can apply: ✅ Provinces with a Clinical Assistant License: ✔️ Alberta – Clinical Assistant or Surgical Assistant ✔️ Manitoba – Only province that accepts non-MDs ✔️ Nova Scotia – Clinical Assistant ✔️ New Brunswick – Clinical Assistant ✔️ Newfoundland & Labrador – Clinical Assistant ✅ Provinces with Equivalent Roles: ✔️ British Columbia (BC) – Associate Physician License (includes primary care & specialists) ✔️ Saskatchewan – Limited Scope Physician License (clinical assistant-type positions) ❌ Provinces That Do NOT Offer a Clinical Assistant License: 🚫 Ontario, Quebec, PEI, BC (no Clinical Assistant title) – In these provinces, there is no formal licensing for Clinical Assistants. ⚠️ Important: In provinces without a Clinical Assistant license, the title "Clinical Assistant" is not regulated, meaning individuals working in unregulated roles (e.g., medical office assistants) cannot perform the same duties as licensed Clinical Assistants in other provinces. 🔹 Key Considerations Before Applying for a Clinical Assistant License ✅ Regulated licenses offer more legal protection and defined job scopes. ✅ Clinical Assistant roles do NOT count as independent practice experience (i.e., they do not close clinical gaps). ✅ Most provinces require applicants to have recent independent practice experience. ✅ Alberta has the most flexible eligibility criteria, with some exceptions. 📌 Key Takeaways & Action Plan ✅ Check if your province offers a Clinical Assistant license. ✅ Ensure you meet the eligibility requirements (MD + postgraduate training). ✅ Apply early to avoid exceeding recency-of-practice limits. ✅ Understand that this is NOT an independent practice role and does not break clinical gaps. In the next session, we will explore province-specific requirements, starting with British Columbia.