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Approval of Supervisors for College-Directed Supervision

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Preamble

In accordance with section 40 of the Medical Practitioners Regulations (the Regulations), all physicians on a Defined licence must have a Supervisor who meets the requirements in section 45 of the Regulations.  In addition, supervision may be imposed on physicians holding a Restricted licence.

The Regulations require that supervisors be approved by the College.

The level of supervision is assigned according to the College policy Supervision Levels for College-Directed Supervision1. The requirements for each level of supervision are delineated in the College-Directed Supervision Framework – Responsibilities and Supervision by Level.2

Section 5(b) of the Medical Practitioners Regulations authorizes the waiver of any criteria for registration or licensing if it is consistent with the objects and purpose of the College.

Pursuant to  this policy, the Registrar waives the prohibition on physicians holding a Restricted licence to act as a Supervisor if they otherwise meet the criteria.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to set out the criteria for the approval of Supervisors for College-Directed Supervision. The Supervisor acts as an Agent of the College and must be approved by the College. 

Scope

This policy applies to all physicians put forward to the College, in writing, as a potential Supervisor for College-Directed supervision.

Policy

  1. The Supervisor must practise in Nova Scotia and hold one of the following licence types:
    1. Full licence
    2. Academic licence
    3. Defined licence, under Sponsor-only oversight.
    4. Restricted licence via one of the following pathways:
      • Pathway to Restricted Licensure for Physicians on an Academic Licence3
      • Pathway to Restricted Licensure for Defined Licence Physicians on Sponsor-Only Oversight4
      • Pathway to Long-Term Licensure via a Defined Licence5
  2. The Supervisor must practise in the same geographic area as the supervised physician unless approved by the Registrar.
  3. The Supervisor must have a similar scope of practice as the supervised physician.
  4. The Sponsor of the Defined licence physician is responsible for proposing an appropriate Supervisor. When considering the proposed Supervisor, the Sponsor should take the following into account:
    • The level of supervision required;
    • The Supervisor’s registration history and number of years in practice;
    • The Supervisor’s experience and practice history;
    • The Supervisor’s willingness, availability, and geographic proximity to the physician requiring supervision;
    • Any apparent or perceived conflict of interest; and
    • Other relevant College policy and guidance.

Following an internal review, the College will inform the Sponsor whether a proposed Supervisor has been accepted or declined

  1. In most cases, physicians on a Restricted licence are responsible to put forward an appropriate supervisor to be approved by the College.

    Following an internal review, the College will inform the Restricted licence physician whether a proposed Supervisor has been accepted or declined.
  2. Once a potential Supervisor has been put forward, the College will internally review all proposed supervisors, taking into account the criteria listed in number 4 above, as well as the propsed Supervisor’s:
    • Number of physicians currently supervised by the proposed Supervisor;
    • Professional conduct (investigations and compliance) history;
    • Assessment history, unless protected under the Medical Act;
    • Past relationships and interactions with the College;
    • Past performance as a Supervisor, if any; and
    • Any other issues related to Character, Competence and Capacity.6

In the interest of preserving the proposed Supervisor’s confidentiality, when a proposed Supervisor is declined by the College, no further explanation will be provided.

Resources

  1. Supervision Levels for College-Directed Supervision
  2. College-Directed Supervision Framework – Responsibilities and Supervision by Level
  3. Pathway to Restricted Licensure for Physicians on an Academic Licence Physicians
  4. Pathway to Restricted Licensure for Defined Licence Physicians on Sponsor-Only Oversight
  5. Pathway to Long-Term Licensure via a Defined Licence
  6. Capacity, Competence and Character to Safely Practice Medicine
Applicable Legislation: Section 40, 45 and 59 of the Medical Practitioners Regulations
Approved by: Registration Policy Committee & Council
Approval Date(s):October 3, 2023 & October 13, 2023
Review Date:September 2026