PRA-NL: the Practice Ready Assessment in Newfoundland and Labrador

Requirements and how the program works

Practice Ready Assessment – Newfoundland and Labrador (PRA-NL) is a 12-week clinical field assessment (CFA) during which a candidate is placed on the Education Register of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador (CPSNL), and is assessed for practice readiness under a provisional medical licence in family medicine in Newfoundland and Labrador.

• Before applying to PRA-NL, candidates must obtain a letter from CPSNL confirming eligibility for a provisional licence in family medicine (this requires a pass result on the the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE) or acceptable alternative)

• All required documentation, including exam scores, must be submitted and verified via physiciansapply.ca at the time of application

• Proceeding through one phase does not guarantee progression to the next or selection for the clinical field assessment (CFA)

Requirements

• Must have a valid letter from CPSNL verifying eligibility for a provisional licence in family medicine

• Pass result on the MCCQE Part II (2021 or before)
  OR
  the National Assessment Collaboration (NAC) Examination

• No more than one prior unsuccessful attempt in Canadian PRA programs.

• Two years of postgraduate training OR one year of postgraduate training (with required rotations) with three years of independent practice.

Additional qualifications considered

• Postgraduate training: Focused specifically on family medicine

• Canadian clinical work experience: clinical assistant or associate physician licence

• Clinical certifications: Up-to-date certifications such as Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advance Life Support (PALS)

• Consistent practice experience: Continuous practice as the most responsible physician in family medicine, especially in rural or remote emergency settings

Screening and selection process

Phase 1: Preliminary assessment

• A pass result on the Therapeutics Decision-Making (TDM) Examination is required for all applicants

Phase 2: Selection process

• Selection interview conducted virtually; applicants are responsible for associated costs

• Academic committee review: Reviews application, interview results, and clinical practice history

• Final selection: If recommended, confirmation of candidate’s commitment to move forward with the CFA and signing of Candidate Agreement

• PRA-NL forwards the candidate’s curriculum vitae (CV) to Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services (NLHS) for sponsorship for the 12-week CFA

Phase 3: Candidate orientation

• Mandatory completion of online continuing professional development (CPD) modules and mandatory attendance of virtual program orientation prior to CFA start date.

• NLHS site specific orientation prior to CFA start date.

Phase 4: 12-week CFA

• Conducted in the candidate’s NLHS zone of sponsorship with direct and indirect supervision

• Assessors evaluate patient care performance using PRA-NL’s assessment tools

Candidate responsibilities

• Documentation: Complete all documentation required by PRA-NL, CPSNL, and NLHS

• Licensure continuation: Ensure ongoing eligibility with CPSNL

• Insurance: Provide proof of Canadian Medical Protective Association coverage

• Orientation: Complete PRA-NL candidate orientation requirements

• Costs: NLHS may cover the Candidate CFA fees. The Return of Service (ROS) is negotiated by NLHS with the candidate, outside of Memorial University, Faculty of Medicine