The College protects the public by making sure its Registrants (physicians and physician assistants) provide safe, high-quality care to patients in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Through the Licensing and Registration process, the College checks each application to make sure only qualified professionals can practice medicine or work as physician assistants in Newfoundland and Labrador. Each year, when a licence is renewed, the College collects updated information to confirm the Registrant still meets the requirements.
After a Registrant is licensed, the College’s Quality Department supports ongoing learning and checks practice quality in several ways:
Continuing Professional Development
All Registrants must keep their knowledge and skills up to date through Continuing Professional Development (CPD) that matches their licence type. There is a required learning cycle that physicians must complete to maintain their licence to practice medicine. Click here to learn more.
The Oversight and Assessment Program reviews and supports Registrants in practice. It is required for certain licence types (Provisional, Clinical Assistant, and Physician Assistant). It may also be required in other situations. The goal is to make sure Registrants meet the standards for their licence type and area of practice.
Expanding Scope or Re-Entry to Practice
Registrants must practice only within what they are trained and experienced to do. If a Registrant wants to expand their scope of practice, or return to practice after an extended time away, they must be assessed under the Clinical Assessment and Training Policy.
Professional and Ethical Standards
Registrants must reduce or change their practice if a personal health issue could affect patient care. Through an agreement with the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association, Registrants can self-refer to the Physician Care Network for prevention, early support, and treatment. The College may also require a Registrant to connect with the Physician Care Network for an assessment or ongoing monitoring if there are patient safety concerns.
Quality Assurance Reviews
If there are concerns about the quality of a Registrant’s practice, the Quality Assurance Committee reviews them. The Committee can require a practice review, a clinical skills assessment, or education. It can also refer the Registrant to the Physician Care Network or place limits on the Registrant’s ability to practice.
Before a Registrant retires, closes a practice, or takes leave from a practice in Newfoundland and Labrador, they must take steps to reduce the impact on patients and notify the right people and organizations. These steps are in the Standard of Practice: Closing or Taking Leave from a Medical Practice. Click here to learn more.
Questions about the College’s Quality processes? Email quality@cpsnl.ca.