Independent clinical experience

Independent clinical experience

For visiting medical students enrolled in a medical school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools who cannot be accommodated by the UBC Visiting Student Elective Program (VSEP).

Requirements

An applicant must meet the following eligibility criteria:

RequirementsCanadaUSAInternational
Medical school trainingAccredited Canadian Medical Degree Programs

Accredited US Medical Degree Programs

or

Accredited Osteopathic Medical Schools

World Directory of Medical Schools
English language proficiencyEnglish language proficiency requirementsEnglish language proficiency requirementsEnglish language proficiency requirements
Legally live and work in BCCanadian citizenship, permanent residence, work permit or visaCanadian citizenship or permanent residence, work permit or visaCanadian citizenship or permanent residence, work permit or visa
Clinical experience start date (occurring Nov 2023 and onward)All yearsAll yearsAll years

How to apply

Contact UBC for permission

The first step in the process is for the applicant to email UBC for permission to do a non-UBC elective (independent clinical experience). UBC must determine that they are unable to accommodate the applicant in the UBC Visiting Student Elective Program (VSEP).

Email UBC for permission

Application package

CPSBC sends the application package with detailed instructions to the applicant when UBC confirms they are not eligible for VSEP but have permission to do a non-UBC elective (independent clinical experience).

Completed applications must be submitted to CPSBC six weeks prior to the anticipated start date. The process includes an application form, payment of fees, and submission of any supplementary documentation. Failure to meet this deadline may result in a delayed start to the independent clinical experience.

Contact UBC for permission

The first step in the process is for the applicant to email UBC for permission to do a non-UBC elective (independent clinical experience). UBC must determine that they are unable to accommodate the applicant in the UBC Visiting Student Elective Program (VSEP).

Email UBC for permission

Application package

CPSBC sends the application package with detailed instructions to the applicant when UBC confirms they are not eligible for VSEP but have permission to do a non-UBC elective (independent clinical experience).

Completed applications must be submitted to CPSBC six weeks prior to the anticipated start date. The process includes an application form, payment of fees, and submission of any supplementary documentation. Failure to meet this deadline may result in a delayed start to the independent clinical experience.

Applicants can email education@cpsbc.ca to confirm their eligibility and for further instruction on the application process.

Email CPSBC

For supervising physicians

Physicians supervising students in UBC visiting electives must confirm in writing to CPSBC that they will

  • be responsible for the supervision of any clinical contact by the medical student with patients,
  • inform patients that the visiting medical student is participating in an educational experience under their supervision,
  • obtain verbal consent from patients to allow the visiting medical student to participate in the care situation, and
  • provide direct supervision at all times during the visiting medical student’s clinical experience.

If a portion of the educational activity takes place in a hospital, the supervisor is required to 

  • obtain approval from the hospital/health authority, and
  • attest that the hospital/health authority approves of the activity.

Additionally, UBC faculty members supervising students in independent (non-UBC) clinical experiences must confirm in writing to CPSBC that

  • the supervision they provide is done independent of UBC and that any legal issues that arise are not indemnified by UBC, and
  • the clinical experience will not be represented as a UBC clinical experience in a letter of recommendation or evaluation report.

Eligibility requirements for supervisors

Maintaining the licence

The licensee can request an extension of the licence by emailing education@cpsbc.ca.

Email extension request to CPSBC

Learn more about the policies that the Licence Committee uses to consider applications
Frequently asked questions by USA-trained physicians and surgeons