Specialist Assessment

The Non-Registered Specialist Assessment Program (NRSAP)

Effective July 1, 2011 - REVISED NRSAP Process

The goal of the Non-Registered Specialist Assessment Program (NRSAP) is to organize and facilitate clinical assessments of internationally educated specialist physicians whose registration will be limited to a specialty field of training in order that they meet the requirements of the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Manitoba (CPSM) for licensure.

The NRSAP strives to standardize these assessments for each specialty and after consultation with Regional Health Authorities (RHA), the CPSM, the University of Manitoba (UofM), and the International Medical Graduate community, revisions have been made to the NRSAP.  The revised NRSAP process will enhance the human resources planning and supply for specialist services for employers, more efficiently using the resources available, increasing success rates for assessments, providing a fair, merit based competitive and transparent process for IMG candidates to access practice opportunities in Manitoba.

What is the Non-Registered Specialist Assessment Program (NRSAP)?
  • It is an assessment program for internationally training medical specialists, who can practice independently and do not need further residency training
  • NRSAP candidates are expected to demonstrate skills acceptable to the CPSM and in line with standards for Canadian trained specialists
  • Successful candidates are required to fulfill a return-of-service with the sponsoring Regional Health Authority (RHA) / employer)
  • Candidates must be eligible for conditional registration with the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Manitoba (CPSM) before proceeding to the screening steps of the NRSAP http://www.cpsm.mb.ca/2_1_2_2_conditional.php  

How am I assessed in the NRSAP?

  • Assessment is conducted in the specialist's department, at the University of Manitoba's affiliated hospitals
  • Duration of the assessment is 3 months to 12 months, depending on the specialty
  • Interim and final reports are completed by supervisors, colleagues, nurses, and allied health professionals and are submitted to the Head of the Department or designate
  • Head of the Department will submit a final report to NRSAP Coordinator, indicating whether the candidate has the clinical skills and knowledge to practice independently and safely, equivalent to the level of a final year resident in the specialty
  • The final recommendation is forwarded to the CPSM from the University, signed by NRSAP Coordinator and Associate Dean of Postgraduate Medical Education based on departmental report
Candidates may apply as frequently as they wish, however, will be advised if they did not satisfactorily meet initial screening criteria as outlined below in number 4 (Application / Selection Process)

Application/Selection Process

  1. Candidate must receive confirmation of eligibility from the CPSM prior to proceeding in the NRSAP.  Candidate is required to register with the Physician Recruitment Coordination Office (PRCO) at the healthemployment.ca website (http://www.healthemployment.ca/) and must attach an electronic copy of their CV and submit a copy of their TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score.
  2. Regional Health Authorities must post specialist vacancies on the PRCO website at healthemployment.ca.  Private clinics interested in a candidate must provide a copy of the vacancy to the RHA or the PRCO for posting.  The PRCO will not post private clinic vacancies without the prior consent of the RHA to ensure that the posting meets with overall regional workforce needs.
  3. Candidates are encouraged to review the postings on the healthemployment.ca website (http://www.healthemployment.ca/) and connect directly with the employer to secure a sponsorship. If a sponsorship is secured, the candidate/ RHA is required to provide written confirmation to the PRCO as this will be considered in the screening process. A sponsor is not required to advance to screening.
  4. PRCO will review CV’s every two months (on a more frequent or less frequent basis as needed). The CV’s will be screened on the following basis:  
    • potential sponsor identified
    • immigration status (preference will be given to Manitoba residents and those who have Canadian Permanent Resident status)
    • working experience in an English speaking environment
    • score of 100 on TOEFL and a score of at least 25 in speaking and listening component
    • proof of completion of MCCEE (preference will be given to the candidates who have passed MCCQE1 and MCCQE2)
  5. PRCO will circulate the list of candidates that have met the screening criteria outlined in step 4, to the Screening Panel. The Screening Panel will consist of the University of Manitoba (IMG Program), Department of Assessment, V.P. Medical from sponsoring regions (or as appointed by V.P. Medical group).
  6. The final slate of potential candidates is then scheduled for an interview (coordinated by PRCO) with the members of the Screening Panel and a PRCO representative.
*Criteria for Prioritizing Assessment Requests are as follows:
  • Current projected vacancies adversely affect program delivery.  Consideration of ramifications of not filling position immedicately (i.e. closure or significant disruption of a program)
  • Projected future vacancies adversely affect program delivery
  • Planned/approved program expansion that can't be provided without specialty resources
  • Should a conflict occur, the final determination shall be made by the PRCO based on provincial priorities
    Assessment Process
    • Candidate must receive confirmation of eligibility from the CPSM prior to proceeding in the NRSAP
    • Assessment Department will arrange for capacity to assess in a timely manner based on information provided by PRCO and UofM
    • Candidates may begin asssessment after signing off with the Assessment Department on criteria for assessment, providing they have obtained a sponsor
    • A release is provided for the candidate to sign allowing progress to be discussed with sponsoring RHA / Employer throughout the assessment
    • Should an urgent unanticipated need arise and there is no current assessment capacity through the UofM, the University will arrange for an alternate assessment route.  This will be done on an exceptional basis only.