Principle

The Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME) office believes that a Postgraduate Learner’s main responsibility is to the educational requirements and the associated clinical activities of their specialty. However, it is also recognized that Postgraduate Learner Moonlighting can make a valuable contribution to patient care, while providing Postgraduate Learners with additional clinical exposure and experience.

Purpose

To outline the rules and regulations in place for Postgraduate Learners who are remunerated for practicing medicine during a Postgraduate Training Program, in situations which are not part of required training in a Postgraduate Training Program.

Scope

Any Learner enrolled in a Postgraduate Training Program at Memorial University (Memorial).

Definitions

Associate Dean, Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME) — The senior faculty officer, appointed by the Dean of Medicine, who is responsible for the overall conduct and supervision of PGME in the Faculty of Medicine or delegate as appointed from time to time.

Educational Objectives — Describes learning outcomes and states the expectations of Learner’s performance at the successful completion of training.

Moonlighting — The independent, extracurricular remunerated practice of medicine during Postgraduate Training Program in situations that are not part of required training in the Postgraduate Training Program.

Postgraduate Learner (Resident) — A trainee registered in a Postgraduate Training program at Memorial accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) or the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC).

Postgraduate Training Program — A period of training in a specific program of medicine with a set of Educational Objectives prescribed by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) or the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) leading to certification by one of these bodies.

Program Director — The faculty member assigned responsibility for the overall conduct of the Postgraduate Training Program.

Policy

1.0 Generally, a Postgraduate Learner can only perform off-service call duties after successfully completing Postgraduate Year 1 (PGY 1) in a Postgraduate Training Program.

2.0 Postgraduate Learners must have the approval from their Program Director before they can Moonlight.

2.1 Postgraduate Learners must be in good academic standing to receive Moonlighting approval.

2.2 The Program Director reserves the right to withhold or withdraw permission to Moonlight at any time.

3.0 A Postgraduate Learner can only Moonlight in the areas of medical practice for which they have a license by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador (CPSNL). Moonlighting without a license is an offence and also considered to be a major lapse in professionalism.

4.0 A Postgraduate Learner cannot moonlight:

4.1 while on call (including home call);

4.2 in the eight hours previous to starting regular clinical work (i.e., will not work a midnight to 08:00 shift when starting work as a Postgraduate Learner at 08:00);

4.3 in the service in which they are currently working as a Postgraduate Learner; or,

4.4 if they are not certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)/Pediatric Advanced Life Support and the Program/department they are Moonlighting for requires ACLS certification (see Section 3.0 of the ACLS Policy).

5.0 It is the responsibility of the Program Director to monitor the performance of a Postgraduate Learner to ensure the Moonlighting activities are not contributing to diminished learning or performance, or detracting from patient safety.

5.1 If a Postgraduate Learner develops academic difficulty after receiving a Moonlighting license, the Program Director will discuss with them the issue of their Moonlighting activities, which may result in the termination of their Moonlighting privileges.

6.0 A Postgraduate Learner must ensure that the CPSNL and applicable Health Board Authority have approved the Moonlighting request prior to starting the Moonlighting activity.

7.0 Moonlighting does not accumulate educational credits leading to certification with the RCPSC or the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC).

8.0 Off-Service Call requires the approval of the Program Director.

8.1 Learners must be in good academic standing.

8.2 Learners in academic jeopardy (requiring modified learning plans/remediation/ on probation) are ineligible.

8.3 The Program Director shall maintain a record of Off-Service Call by every Learner in the program.

Procedure

A.0 Prior to completing their first Moonlighting activity, the Postgraduate Learner will:

A.1. Contact their Program Director to discuss their intention to moonlight;

A.2. Contact the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) to have their liability coverage switched to code 14 for Moonlighting activities;

A.3. Contact the CPSNL to obtain a locum license;

A.3.1. The Program Director sends the required written letter of approval directly to the CPSNL.

A.4. Submit their professional credentials and a Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Check to the credentialing division of NL Health Services.

B.0 Prior to completing every Moonlighting activity, the Postgraduate Learner will:

B.1. Complete the Moonlighting Request Form and submits it to the PGME office no later than two (2) business days prior to the start date;

B.2. Contact the credentialing division of the applicable Health Board Authority (i.e. NL Heath Services) to ensure all credentials are up-to-date;

B.3. Confirm Moonlighting approval has been received by all required parties.

C.0 Non-Compliance

C.1 Failure to adhere to the Moonlighting policy and procedures will result in future Moonlighting requests to be denied.

C.2 Non-compliance may also result in insufficient liability coverage and non-payment for Moonlighting activities.

Related Documents

Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA)

CPSNL

Fatigue Risk Management Policy

Leave Management Policy

Moonlighting (On call duties) Request Form

Moonlighting (Final year specialty Locum/ER-GP Locum) Request Form

Statement of Professional Attributes

Procedures:

There are no procedures associated with this policy.