New Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) Credential in Trauma General Surgery

We are writing to share with you the exciting development of a new Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) credential in Trauma General Surgery.

As many of you are aware, the Area of Focused Competence (AFC) system has been developed by the RCPSC to facilitate training in areas of advanced specialization and beyond; indeed over 35 such AFC programs currently exist. The AFC Trauma General Surgery was developed and launched by the RCPSC in 2016, with two training programs currently fully accredited. Most recently, the Practice-Eligibility Route (PER) has been developed for certification in Trauma General Surgery by the RCPSC.

The PER creates an opportunity for those surgeons engaged in the active practice in Trauma General Surgery to obtain RCPSC recognition of their leadership, expertise and advanced training in trauma surgery.

Briefly, the eligibility criteria include:

1) An active clinical role or leadership position within a Trauma system

2) A continuous practice in Trauma Surgery for a minimum of 24 months in Canada

3) Completion of a trauma surgery fellowship in Canada or the United States, or Royal College certification in General Surgery with a practice focused in Trauma Surgery

The application process includes submission of a Curriculum Vitae, completion of an application form that includes questions about one’s involvement in trauma care, and provision of referees as part of the multi-source feedback component. This application process is conducted in accordance with the RCPSC standards for PER certification.

The creation and dissemination of this new credential in Trauma General Surgery represents an important opportunity for formal recognition of the specialization and advanced training in the care of trauma patients that trauma surgeons possess. It also establishes a new standard in trauma surgery expertise and practice going forward and will define the next leaders in trauma care in Canada.

We are inviting you to join us in becoming Diplomates of the RCPSC (DRCPSC) in Trauma General Surgery, as well as sharing with and encouraging you and your colleagues to consider this new opportunity.

Please inquire about applying via email to diplomas@royalcollege.ca.

=In addition, we are  available to answer any of your questions and share our experiences from the PER process.

This is an exciting opportunity for us as Trauma Surgeons.

Sincerely,

Andrew Beckett, CD MD MSc FRCSC DRCPSC FACS

Chair, AFC Subcommittee in Trauma General Surgery

President, Trauma Association of Canada

Najma Ahmed, MD PhD FRCSC

Past-Chair, AFC Subcommittee in Trauma General Surgery

Paul Engels, MD FRCSC DRCPSC FACS

TAC Representative, AFC Subcommittee in Trauma General Surgery

Director, Trauma Association of Canada

Download the letter here.

National Injury Prevention Day July 5th, 2023

July 5th, 2023 is National Injury Prevention Day (NIPD).

TAC is once again partnering with Parachute to promote the NIPD Hospital Challenge.

What could your program or your hospital do with an extra million dollars? Is wanting to reduce pressure on your emergency services high on your wish list? Take up our challenge to join our work to prevent injuries – and prevent those cases from needing your hospital care.

The recently published Cost of Injury in Canada report shows that, in one year, preventable injuries from collisions, falls, poisonings, drownings and violence cost the Canadian healthcare system $29.4 billion. That’s $56 million per day. Direct costs – costs incurred by hospitals for medical supplies, diagnostic imaging, drugs, ambulance transportation, emergency care costs, hospital care costs, physician services fees and rehabilitation costs – make up the vast majority at $20.4 billion.

NIPD brings an opportunity for us to shine a light on the preventability of injuries. It’s a chance to come together across disciplines to raise awareness that we have effective solutions to keep people from getting seriously injured or killed and to stop them from needing hospital/trauma services.

What can you do? There are many ways that your hospital and teams can get involved to recognize and participate in National Injury Prevention Day. Here are a few ideas and we’re sure you’ll think of more.

  • Light up your building(s), sign(s), or other areas green, the signature colour for safety.
  • Tie green ribbons to places within the hospital
  • Serve green food, e.g., ice cream, candies
  • Wear green T shirts
  • Share information about the cost of injury with your teams

Go to the NIPD Hospital Challenge webpage https://parachute.ca/en/program/national-injury-prevention-day/nipd-hospitalchallenge/ to fill out a brief form on how your hospital will participate in the 2023 National Injury Prevention Day on July 5, 2023!

Find more information here!

Register for the TAC Interdisciplinary Trauma Network of Canada (ITNC) Pre-Conference Day!

It’s not too late to register for the TAC Interdisciplinary Trauma Network of Canada (ITNC) Pre-Conference Day.

Check out the agenda here:

Download the ITNC Day agenda here!

The ITNC Day fee is just $99 for TAC members ($149 for non-members).

Register for the ITNC Day and TAC Conference here!

New DRCPSC Trauma General Surgery Credential: Statement by TAC Board of Directors

The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) has developed an Area of Focused Competence (AFC) credential in Trauma General Surgery. This credential can be obtained via successful completion of training in an accredited training program or via the Practice-Eligibility Route (PER). Successful completion results in the applicant being conferred the status of a Diplomate of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (DRCPSC) in Trauma General Surgery. The Trauma Association of Canada is the National Specialty Society that is recognized by the RCPSC for Trauma General Surgery, and indeed a TAC representative sits on the AFC Trauma General Surgery Subcommittee.

The creation of this new credential in trauma surgery that is accessible to actively practicing trauma surgeons is a step forward in the recognition of the expertise and advanced training of these surgeons and sets a new standard of excellence in this field.

In alignment with our Vision and Mission, the Trauma Association of Canada recognizes the DRCPSC Trauma General Surgery credential, recommends it for all trauma surgeons practicing in Canada, and further recommends that such a credential should be considered mandatory for those in trauma system leadership positions in Canada.

Approved by the Trauma Association of Canada Board of Directors

March 7th, 2023

Download the TAC Statement on the DRCPSC Trauma General Surgery Credential here.

JOB POSTING: Academic Trauma Surgeon McMaster University/Hamilton Health Sciences

Academic Trauma Surgeon

McMaster University, in conjunction with Hamilton Health Sciences, is seeking an academic Trauma and Acute Care General Surgery surgeon. The Hamilton General Hospital serves as the regional Lead Trauma Hospital (i.e. Level 1) for a catchment area of more than 2.5 million residents and is the regional referral hospital for Neurosurgery and Stroke, Orthopedic Trauma, Cardiac Surgery, Extra-Corporeal Life Support, and Vascular Surgery. The regional Trauma service, together with the Department of Surgery, McMaster University, is involved in undergraduate, post-graduate and continuing medical education programs. The Department of Surgery endorses a Mission statement of six tenets and collectively pursues:

  • Culture that is inclusive
  • Research that impacts
  • Education that inspires
  • Advancement for all
  • Transformation through innovation
  • Excellence in patient care

 

Please visit the CREATE website www.macsurgerycreates.ca for further information.

The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate experience and training in General Surgery and in the management of Trauma and Acute Care General Surgery patients appropriate for an academic tertiary care level referral centre. They will be expected to participate in clinical care on the Trauma Service, Acute Care Surgery Service, and as a Trauma Team Leader. They will be expected to show evidence of exceptional interpersonal and collaborative skills with initiative to further advance the clinical and academic productivity of the regional Trauma Program, including local and regional educational and quality initiatives. A demonstrated record of commitment and success in research and surgical education is essential, as well as interest in supervision of trauma & acute care general surgery research projects completed by residents and fellows.

This is a full-time faculty position for a period of three years (renewable) in the Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University. Applicants must be certified (or eligible for certification) by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in General Surgery and have completed fellowship training in Trauma Surgery, with preference given to accredited fellowships. Preference will be given to candidates with advanced training in research, education, simulation, or quality initiatives including Master’s/PhD or equivalent, including evidence of productivity and experience in these areas such as publications, presentations, and guideline development.

The candidate must be eligible for licensure in the Province of Ontario. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. However, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be considered first for this position. To comply with the Government of Canada’s reporting requirements, the University is obliged to gather information about applicants’ status as either Permanent Residents of Canada or Canadian citizens. Applicants need not identify their country of origin or current citizenship; however, all applications must include one of the following statements: “Yes, I am a citizen or permanent resident of Canada” or “No, I am not a citizen or permanent resident of Canada”.

Applications must include:

  • A curriculum vitae.
  • Description of previous academic experience, as well as specialty training.
  • Submit a brief statement describing any contributions made or planned in relation to excellence in teaching, research or service within higher education, community-based or other profession settings, and/or advancing equity, diversity and inclusion (2-page maximum).
  • Provide the names and contact information of three professional referees; letters of reference are not required and will not be reviewed at the application stage; the Department will request letters of recommendation from referees at later stages of the search process.

 

Applications will be accepted until April 15, 2023. Submissions may be made to:

Dr. Mohit Bhandari, Professor and Chair,

Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University

Juravinski Hospital & Cancer Centre

711 Concession Street

Hamilton ON L8V 1C3

Email painebr@mcmaster.ca

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement. The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity. The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+. As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey – Statement of Collection for additional information. Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact: • Human Resources Service Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 222-HR (22247), or • Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or • School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679 to communicate accommodation needs.

Download job posting here.

JOB POSTING: Trauma and Acute Care General Surgery: One Year Clinical Associate Position, St. Michael’s Hospital

Trauma and Acute Care General Surgery: One Year Clinical Associate Position, St. Michael’s Hospital

 

St. Michael’s Hospital, is a fully-affiliated academic health centre highly interconnected with University of Toronto, and with an international reputation in research and education. The Departments of Surgery at St. Michael’s Hospital invites applications for the position of Clinical Associate in Trauma and Acute Care General Surgery for a term of one year.  The potential start date is July 01, 2023, with some flexibility.

The candidate must be eligible for certification by the RCPSC in General Surgery and must have at least a one year of post-residency fellowship training in trauma surgery / trauma and acute care general surgery.   The candidate must be eligible for licensure with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.

The Department of Surgery espouses the core values of professionalism, clinical excellence and commitment to training the next generation of surgeons. The candidate will join 4-5 trauma and acute care surgeons in a team based model of care.  Clinical responsibilities will include the provision of clinical and surgical care on a large in patient team as part of rota, on-call activities including TTL, trauma surgery and general call.  The successful candidate will be responsible for the supervision and training of medical students, residents and fellows, as well as participation in trauma related educational courses, (e.g ATLS, TEAM, DSTC), and quality improvement activities.

Please submit a letter of intent, CV and names of three references by April 30th, 2023 to

 

Dr. Najma Ahmed

Surgeon-in-Chief,

St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto,

Najma.ahmed@unityhealth.to

 

And

 

Dr. Andrew Beckett

Trauma Medical Director,

St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto

Andrew.Beckett@unityhealth.to