What is the IMG-BC Program?
The British Columbia IMG Program (IMG-BC) is funded by the Provincial Government to enable medical doctors who have trained in medical schools outside Canada and the United States to compete for and obtain residency positions that will lead to licensure for practice. The program is offered to British Columbians who are Canadian citizens, Permanent Residents, or those that have Refugee Status.
What is the Clinical Assessment?
The Clinical Assessment is a full-time twelve-week program that evaluates a candidate’s clinical skills in a Canadian healthcare setting. The Clinical Assessment focuses on family practice, internal medicine, geriatrics, and emergency medicine. Prior to commencing the assessment, candidates will be given a one-week orientation to St. Paul’s Hospital, including clinical record keeping and computer technology, as well as an introduction to the Canadian medical system.
How important is the 12-week clinical assessment?
In order to apply for IMG dedicated residency positions at UBC through CaRMS, the 12-week clinical assessment is not required. However, candidates need to understand that in all disciplines the Residency Program Director and the Residency Training Committee are responsible for the selection of candidates, and are looking for those that have demonstrated good clinical skills in the Canadian setting.
It is strongly recommended that all candidates check the selection criteria of programs they are considering applying for, as the selection processes are constantly under review.
What is the Medical Council of Canada (MCC)?
The MCC is the body that grants a qualification in medicine known as the Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC) to graduate physicians who have satisfied the eligibility requirements and passed the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Parts I and II.
What Is The Medical Council Of Canada Evaluation Examination?
The MCCEE is a general assessment of the candidate’s basic medical knowledge in the practice of medicine. It is designed to assess the skills and knowledge required at the level of a new medical graduate who is about to enter their first year of postgraduate training. A four-hour computer-based examination is offered at more than 500 centers in 73 countries worldwide. International medical graduates and international medical students in their final clinical year must take the MCCEE as a prerequisite for eligibility to the MCC Qualifying Examinations. The MCCEE is required for application to the IMG-BC Assessment Program.
What is the OSCE?
The National Assessment Collaboration, led by the Medical Council of Canada, introduced a standardized objective structured clinical exam (OSCE) for IMGs requiring postgraduate medical education (PGME) in Canada. The OSCE utilizes standardized patient encounters to assess clinical skills, medical knowledge, and communication skills. Five provinces including BC offer the NAC OSCE, the only exam result in addition to the Medical Council’s evaluating exam, required prior to competing for a UBC residency position through CaRMS.
The number of applicants varies each year (approximately 150). Twice as many OSCE places are offered (n=70) than clinical assessments; the top 35 OSCE candidates have the option to proceed to the 12-week clinical assessment. All 70 IMGs can use their OSCE results in their CaRMS applications. IMGs can take the OSCE a maximum of three times and the clinical assessment twice, therefore they should be strategic in their application process.
What Is the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS)?
CaRMS is a not-for-profit organization that provides medical students with an electronic application service and a computer match for entry into postgraduate medical training throughout Canada. CaRMS is the way for applicants to decide where to train and for program directors to decide which applicants they wish to enroll in postgraduate medical training.
What is the definition of BC residency? How is permanent residence assessed for a student who is out of the country?
Applicants to the IMG-BC Program must have lived in BC for one year immediately prior to application. A BC resident who is studying medicine internationally is not bound by these criteria, but they must have lived in BC for one year immediately prior to studying medicine abroad.
Do I have to do a Return of Service if I am internationally trained and matched in CaRMS in British Columbia?
If you match in the first iteration to one of the IMG designated positions, you are required to sign a Return of Service Contract whereby you agree to return service in an identified community of need in BC in exchange for a Ministry funded residency position. The Return of Service for Family Medicine training is 2 years, for Royal College programs, it is 3 years. If, you match to a second iteration position, a Return of Service is only required if that position is a dedicated IMG position that was not filled in first iteration.
Are there any incentives I can apply for?
Yes. Incentive programs exist for residents that plan to practice in rural communities. Please visit http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/pcb/rural.html to review the handbook, Rural Programs: A Guide for Rural Physician Programs in British Columbia for an overview of programs available to rural physicians in BC.
What can I do to enhance my competitiveness?
The Residency Training Committee of each Residency Program sets selection criteria and selects applicants for residency positions. Program specific information is usually available on the Program and/or CaRMS website. Some specialty programs may require a period of clinical assessment in their field. Completion of the IMG-BC Clinical Assessment is considered important for applicants to the family medicine program. IMGs should also consider the following:
- Reference letters particularly from clinical experiences;
- Solid training records, transcripts are highly preferred;
- Demonstrated clinical competence in the National OSCE exam;
- Undertaking Canadian clinical experiences that demonstrate clinical competency, such as the IMG-BC Assessment program;
- Obtaining clinical clerkship rotations in Canada
Do I need to submit all documents by January 1st?
No – ONLY the following documents are needed by January 1st:
- Proof of living in B.C. for one year immediately prior to January 1
- Proof of your Canadian citizenship status (One of the following: Canadian, permanent resident, citizen or WHO refugee)
- Proof of your application fee payment of $150.00
You will receive your IMGBC ID and Password via e-mail. See Phase II.
Are there any other alternates to IELTS or TOEFL?
No – iBT TOEFL 95 with 25 or higher on the spoken component or IELTS with band 7 on all components are the only proficiency exams recognized by the program.
Do translation documents have to be notarized?
If the translation is a copy, it must be notarized and be accompanied by a certified copy of the original document. Translations must be done by a Canadian translation service or bear the seal of a Canadian Embassy.
Can I apply to the CaRMS second iteration for unfilled CMG and IMG positions and IMG-BC?
Yes, you may apply to both iterations; however, the application fee is non-refundable and we do expect that you immediately notify the IMG-BC office should you be successful in obtaining a second iteration CaRMS position outside of the IMG-BC stream.
As a re-applicant, do I need to pay the application fee again?
Yes, all re-applicants must pay the application fee.
I am a re-applicant, do I need to send in my documentation again?
No, you do not have to re-submit documentation if accepted by the IMG-BC office in your previous application year, with the exception of proof of living in B.C. for one year prior to the application deadline.
How long are my documents kept on file?
The IMG-BC Office keeps applicant documents on file for at least 3 years, but after three years applicants may be required to re-submit all documentation.
How many times can I apply to the IMG-BC Program?
Applicants can apply to the IMG-BC Program for as many times as desired. However, they may take part in no more than three OSCE exams and two Clinical Assessments.
