The purpose of the Advanced Skills & Training (AST) Program is to support rural physician retention and skills development by providing funding that enables physicians to access advanced training and skill enhancement. Training options are flexible, ranging from 1 to 60 days and typically involving small-group or one-on-one sessions with a preceptor.
Training areas include but are not limited to:
- Emergency Medicine
- Oncology
- Obstetrics & Gynecology
- Mental Health
- Leadership*
- Indigenous Health
Typically, participants are responsible for identifying their own preceptor. However, if assistance is needed to find a suitable preceptor, please reach out to our team, and we will do our best to connect you.
Eligible physicians pursuing formal leadership training aimed at strengthening skills for system-level improvements benefiting rural populations in British Columbia may access up to 20 days of funding through the program. The training program must be at least five days in duration to qualify. Applicants are expected to seek additional funding sources where possible, such as the Physician Leadership Scholarship Program offered through the Shared Care Committee and Specialist Services Committee. In addition to funding for formal leadership training, participants are encouraged to join UBC CPD’s Coaching and Mentoring Program (CAMP) and may be invited to attend two meetings of groups providing leadership in rural BC to gain valuable real-world context.
Eligibility
- Physicians who have been living and practicing in a RSA community for at least nine months of the past year.
- Physicians who are returning to practice after a leave such as parental leave, long-term illness or disability and have a formal commitment to practice in an RSA Community.
- Letters from the community and health authority confirming that the skill is needed in the community.
- Please review the “Additional Funding Opportunities” section below to explore other programs that may be available to support your training needs.
Applicants are encouraged to consult with their Hospital Chief of Staff and Regional Medical Director regarding their proposed training plan, the impact it may have on local medical staff while away, and the expectation that the applicant will return to their rural community upon completion of training.
Rural physicians who have been living and practicing in an RSA Community for less than nine months may be eligible for funding through the Rural Skills Upgrade Program.
Benefits
- $950/day stipend to cover income loss and overhead
- $90/day from the stipend is paid to the primary preceptor, if applicable.
- Reimbursement of actual travel and accommodation expenses incurred, up to:
- $3,000 for the first week of training.
- $1,500 for each additional week.
The length of training may be rounded up or down to the nearest full week for the purpose of determining funding allocation.
This program will not provide funding for courses, conferences or training received outside of BC unless previously approved, or training not relevant to the approved training plan, even in cases where other funding sources have been exhausted.
Application deadline
The application form and all supporting documents must be submitted prior to training, but may be accepted up to one week prior to the end of the fiscal year in which the training began. The fiscal year runs from April 1 – March 31.
For program inquiries contact:
REAP Physician Support Specialist
#300 – 5950 University Boulevard
Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z
P: 604-827-1504
[email protected]
For claims and payments contact:
Doctors of BC
#115 – 1665 West Broadway
Vancouver, BC, V6J 5A4
TFP in BC: 1 800 665-2262
P: 604 736-5551
[email protected]
