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Frequently Asked Questions
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Can a practitioner work in more than one facility?
Answer
Yes, a physician, midwife or dentist may work in more than one facility in the FH. A practitioner is appointed to the Medical Staff of the Fraser Health Authority, not to the Medical Staff of individual hospitals. A member of the FH Medical Staff is then granted privileges to practice in specified facilities and/or programs. Each Regional Department/Division makes recommendations on granting privileges to members.
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What is a Temporary Appointment with Temporary Privileges and when are they granted?
Answer
Sometimes it is necessary for a practitioner to practice in an FH facility for a specific purpose or limited period of time (i.e. organ removal team, super-specialist consult, etc). A Temporary Appointment with Temporary Privileges is often used in FH to permit a practitioner to begin practice in a FH facility before his/her Application for Appointment has been reviewed and approved by the Board. Under these circumstances, and upon receipt of a completed Application for Appointment form, the relevant Regional Department Head may, by issuing a letter to the applicant, grant a Temporary Appointment with Temporary Privileges to the practitioner which will remain in effect only for the purpose or period specified, or pending the Board’s review of the practitioner’s Application for Appointment.
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Does FHA receive inquiries from practitioners to join the medical staff?
Answer
Yes, physicians, midwives and dentists may direct inquiries about opportunities to apply for vacancies to Program Medical Directors, Regional Department Heads, Heads of Department (local) or the FHA Credentials Office (Credentials.Office@fraserhealth.ca)
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Is continuing professional development required?
Answer
In order for a member of the Medical Staff to be granted continued membership upon review by the Board, the member must have demonstrated that any required continuing professional development activity has been completed in the previous appointment year.
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What does the member need to submit for review and renewal of membership?
Answer
Appointments to the Medical Staff are for a 2 year period. Reappointment, or continued membership on the Medical Staff requires a member to complete a Renewal of Membership Application form. This form is provided by the FH Credentials Office in advance of the conclusion of the member’s current appointment term. The completed form is reviewed by Head(s) of Department (local), Regional Department Heads, and HAMAC before being presented to the Board.
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What happens after a practitioner is appointed to the Medical Staff?
Answer
Only physicians, midwives and dentists who work in FH hospitals (including extended care hospitals) are required to have appointments to the Medical Staff. Once a practitioner becomes a member of the Medical Staff, s/he will undergo a prescribed orientation program.
See Medical Staff Rules Appendix 3.
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How long does the credential review process take to complete?
Answer
The timing for processing appointment applications is specified in the Medical Staff Bylaws (sec 4.3). An application must be reviewed by the Board within 120 days of receipt of a completed application by the FH Credentials Office.
See Medical Staff Rules Appendix 2.
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Is there a committee of the Medical Staff that reviews applications?
Answer
Yes, the Health Authority) Medical Advisory Committee (HAMAC) is responsible to review applications for appointment and renewal of membership and to make recommendations regarding each applicant to the Board.
See Bylaws Article 8
See Medical Staff Rules sec 2.3 and sec. 3.6.
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Who should I contact if I want to change or review my current clinical privileges?
Answer
It is recommended that a member first discuss changes to Medical Staff Category or privileges with her/his Head of Department (local). If the relevant medical leaders are supportive of the change, a form requesting the change may be obtained from the FH Credentials Office.
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Is the review process different for a practitioner requesting full privileges versus one requesting adjunct or consulting privileges?
Answer
No. The process of applying for an appointment to the Medical Staff is the same regardless of the Category or privileges desired by the applicant. This is also true of the application for continued membership (bi-annual review).
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What credentials does FH require of a prospective member?
Answer
The Application for Appointment form contains the list of information and documents that an applicant must produce. Key elements of the required information are: professional training, proof of license and liability insurance coverage, work history, names of 3 references, a declaration and consent to allow FH access to information, etc.
See Bylaws Article 4.
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Can I request privileges in more than one department?
Answer
Yes. An appointment to the Medical Staff granted by the Board specifies the Category (i.e. Provisional, Consulting, etc.), the Department (which usually indicates specialty), Site(s) Specialty, and the Privileges at each Site.
An applicant is normally appointed to a “primary Department” but may also be appointed to another Department where advantageous to the FH and the member.
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What does "eligibility for Medical Staff privileges" mean?
Answer
“Eligibility” refers to whether an applicant meets all the criteria outlined in the Bylaws to become a member of the Medical Staff.
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How does the FH credentialing process work?
Answer
The credentialing process is outlined clearly in the Bylaws. Sec. 4.3 addresses “Process for Application” (implying “appointment”) and sec. 4.4 addresses procedure for Review (implying “continued membership”).
The credentialing process ensures due process and fair administrative procedure and is compliant with the requirements in the Hospital Act Regulation. Fraser Health is required to comply with the process and procedures as outlined in the Bylaws.
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