Faculty Handbook

I am pleased to welcome you as a new faculty member of NOSM University.

Since its official opening in 2005, NOSM U has made great strides in establishing itself as a medical school for the 21st century.  On March 4, 2022 the province made NOSM University Canada’s first independent medical university, effective April 1, 2022.

Guided by our vision – Innovative Education and Research for a Healthier North – the School is committed to the education of high-quality physicians and health professionals and building the School’s international recognition as a leader in distributed, learning-centered, community-engaged education and health research.

We will achieve this by fostering positive learning environments for our faculty, staff and learners, building collaborations with partners, and continuing to meaningfully engage our communities. Your role will be integral to NOSM U’s continued success and progressive changes occurring at the forefront of medical education.

Should you have any inquiries, please feel free to contact us via our toll free faculty line at 1 877 678 7358. They would be pleased to assist you.

I wish you much success and look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,

Dr. Sarita Verma BA, LLB, MD, CCFP, FCFP
President, Vice Chancellor, Dean and CEO
NOSM University

Vision

Innovative Education and Research for a Healthier North.

Mission

To improve the health of Northern Ontarians by being socially accountable in our education and research programs and advocating for health equity.

We will realize this by:

• Embedding social accountability as a core value in graduates. NOSM University will be a recognized leader in rural and Northern health knowledge and will influence and advocate for policy advances in health at all levels of government.
• Increasing research capacity and expertise in population-based health to improve advocacy and evidence-based policy in Northern Ontario. NOSM University will have a positive research impact on Northern health, be known as the leader in Northern health research and increase grant and other research funding.
• Incorporating advanced technology into curriculum and day-to-day activities of the school. NOSM University will be a leader in educational excellence through its curriculum renewal, competency-based training, adaptive technology, and will meet or exceed all accreditation standards.
• Being a strong active partner with communities in need to create a flourishing health workforce to serve the North.
• Securing sustainable financial and human resources to deliver on our vision of innovative education and research. We will be financially sustainable by ensuring access to resources and infrastructure to sustain and grow NOSM University through efficiencies and a culture of advancement.
• Creating a sustainable working and learning environment. NOSM University will commit to diversity, wellness and respect for faculty, staff and learners.

Values

Innovation

NOSM University encourages ingenuity, creativity, a culture of inquiry and discovery, and the importance of learning from others in every aspect of the School’s education, research, social accountability, and corporate mandates. NOSM University uses innovative approaches to ensure continuous improvement of our distributed model of education and research.

Social Accountability

NOSM University adheres to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) definition of the Social Accountability of Medical Schools as “the obligation to direct their education, research and service activities towards addressing the priority health concerns of the community, region and the nation that they have a mandate to serve. The priority health concerns are to be identified jointly by governments, health care organizations, health professionals and the public.” As part of its social accountability mandate, NOSM U has the responsibility to engage stakeholders at all levels of its broad community.

Collaboration

NOSM U pursues education and research goals in close partnership with its host universities. Collaboration and partnership is also important to NOSM U with its teaching hospitals, community physicians, health professional clinical teachers, health system stakeholders, and communities it serves. NOSM U values the insights, contributions, and support of its many partners that work to improve the health of the people and communities of Northern Ontario. NOSM U recognizes that collaboration is both a process and outcome that engages different perspectives to better understand complex problems, and leads to the development of integrative solutions that could not be accomplished by any single person or organization.

Inclusiveness

NOSM U fosters inclusiveness by supporting an environment which embraces differences in staff, faculty and learners and respectfully creates value from the differences of all members of the NOSM U community, in order to leverage talent and foster both individual and organizational excellence.

Respect

NOSM U’s faculty, staff, and learners seek to learn and listen to one another respectfully and communicate openly. NOSM U’s staff, faculty, and learners treat others and their ideas in a manner that conveys respect as differences are discussed, fosters an open academic debate, and which respects academic freedom.

The NOSM Challenge: Strategic Plan 2025

Faculty members will receive an orientation package at time of appointment. Questions related to the orientation package should be directed as follows:

Clinical Sciences:   Brittney Freeman  divclinsci@nosm.ca

Human Sciences:    Yeni Lopez  ylopez@nosm.ca

Medical Sciences:   Pamela Lemieux  plemieux@nosm.ca

Recruitment and Hiring of Faculty and Staff

While recognizing that each institution is entitled to determine its staffing needs and that  any qualified person is entitled to apply for a faculty or staff position, the NOSM University wishes to maintain a cooperative relationship with Lakehead University and Laurentian University. Accordingly, NOSM U undertakes to follow an open recruitment and hiring process with appropriate consultation with Lakehead and Laurentian Universities wherever their interests may be seen to be directly affected.

Clinical Sciences Faculty Providing Clinical Teaching

The Clinical Sciences Faculty member who provides clinical teaching is a qualified health care professional and faculty member who practices in a clinical setting in which the learner will learn. The faculty member provides experience and opportunities for observation, which allow the learner to meet learning objectives. The faculty member also acts as a resource person during the learner’s placement.

Criteria:

1. Licensed health care professional. This includes Health Science Professionals, to view a complete list, please click here.
2. Qualified to assist the learner in meeting learning objectives in the clinical setting.
3. Qualified by the faculty according to practice experience, clinical expertise, and educational expertise.

Responsibilities:

1. Become acquainted with the objectives of the NOSM U clinical placement/clerkship.
2. Become familiar with the learner’s individual learning objectives.
3. With the learner, determine and arrange clinical experiences that will help the learner meet their personal learning objectives.
4. Provide the School with a list of skills and/or procedures that the learner may observe or perform and specify which may require some advance preparation.
5. Orient the learner to the clinical environment’s personnel, physical facilities, policies, and procedures.
6. Assume supervisory responsibility for the learner’s practice.
7. Provide periodic written assessments of the learner’s progress in meeting the learning objectives and the learner’s behavior and responsibility in demonstrating a professional commitment to patients, staff, the Clinical Teacher, and the clinical setting.
8. Maintain verbal and/or written communication with a designated School faculty or staff member.
9. Assist the learner in becoming acquainted with the people and activities of the community.

Note: All Clinical Sciences faculty providing clinical teaching should have a NOSM University faculty appointment in order to formally assess a medical learner. For more detailed information on the various opportunities to be involved with NOSM U, please view the Faculty Opportunities Brochure  and visit the Clinical Appointment Opportunities page on our website.

Faculty Appointment and Reappointment Policy

The delivery of Distributed Medical Education (DME) in Ontario is enabled by the collaborative placement of medical learners from the six Ontario medical schools to clinical rotations in communities throughout the province.  The Distributed Medical Education Committee of the Council of Ontario Faculties of Medicine (DME-COFM) document linked below outlines the principles for collaborative distributed medical education across Ontario.

DME-COFM Ontario Medical School Clinical Rotation Principles and Practices for Faculty Appointment and Dispute Resolution

Policy and Procedures for the Evaluation of Faculty Providing Clinical Teaching

Clinical Sciences Division Professionalism and Code of Conduct Policy

Clinical Sciences Division Professionalism and Code of Conduct Procedure

Professional Attributes Guidelines

Responding to Student Concerns of Mistreatment Procedure

Flow Chart

With an appointment, faculty enjoy:

• Faculty membership and an appointment with the University
• Regular notices and newsletters regarding activities and developments at the University
• Updates regarding medical advances in Northern Ontario
• Inclusion in a network of health professionals who share similar academic and clinical interests
• Opportunity to provide mentorship for future physicians
• Involvement in the recruitment of colleagues
• CME credits for participation in teaching and faculty development events
• Use of academic title for grants, promotions, and award applications
• Access to NOSM University library and librarian support
• Access to NOSM U’s Alternate Funding Plan Agreement for participating physicians via Northern Ontario Academic Medicine Association (NOAMA)
• Access to virtual and in-house academic events at the University
• Access to on-line teaching materials and faculty development sessions
• Remuneration for many administrative roles within the University
• Stipendiary support for teaching activities
• NOSM University email and intranet accounts
• Opportunity to participate in a variety of research initiatives
• Access to the Research Support Group which supports faculty with their research endeavors
• Access to research funds via NOAMA
• Fulfilling and rewarding career opportunities

Faculty members with stipendiary appointments are independent contractors, not employees of NOSM U. As per Section 4.2 of the NOSM U Policy and Procedures for Faculty Appointment and Promotion, faculty with stipendiary appointments are not eligible for:

• Tenure
• Sabbatical
• Pension and benefits
• Assigned office space
• Tuition waiver

Faculty with stipendiary appointments are responsible for the purchase of their own computers and other supporting technologies.

Policy and Procedures Governing Joint and Stipendiary Faculty Promotions

Joint and Stipendiary Faculty Appeal Procedure

NOSM University Medical, Human, and Clinical Sciences Faculty: Non-Physician (Effective July 1, 2023)

Total Yearly Salary based on Daily Rate*:

* The Daily Rate is calculated based on the floors and ceilings by academic rank.

NOSM University Clinical Sciences Faculty: Physicians (Effective July 1, 2023)

Total Yearly Salary based on Daily Rate:

* A clinical supplement is included in the Physician daily salary rates.  The supplement represents a value of $10,000 for each of four days/ week worked.  This is intended to compensate clinical faculty for the reduction in income on these four days.  A “full-time” clinical appointment would be four days plus one clinical day.  The stipend for part-time (i.e., 1-4 days) is shown on a per day/week basis.  Clinical faculty would not normally be full-time, except in the case of administrators (Associate Deans, Division Heads).

NOSM University Stipendiary Faculty Administrative Stipends (Effective January 1, 2019)

Associate Dean

Associate Deans are senior academic administrators with a portfolio that carries broad program responsibilities for NOSM University and report directly to the Dean in these roles. Typically, Associate Deans may supervise Assistant Deans, Division Heads, Directors and/or Managers in their areas of responsibility.  The position requires the incumbent to act in that capacity on average up to three days per week.  Physician or non-physician base salary/daily rate + $20,000 administrative stipend.

Assistant Dean

Faculty in these positions report to an Associate Dean.  The position requires the incumbent to act in that capacity on average 1 to 1-1/2 days per week.  Physician or non-physician base salary/daily rate + $15,000 administrative stipend.

Division Head

Faculty in these positions supervise other faculty in their roles within the medical school.  They collaborate to allocate faculty resources to the educational programs.  The position requires the incumbent to act in that capacity on average up to three days per week.  Physician or non-physician base salary/daily rate + $20,000 administrative stipend.

Phase Coordinators

Faculty in these positions supervise other faculty in their roles within the medical school.  They have the overall responsibility for the writing, design, development, implementation, and evaluation of the Years 1 and 2 rotations, and Year 3 Clerkship.  The position normally requires the incumbent to act in that capacity on average up to three days per week.  Phase 1  – Physician or non-physician base salary/daily rate + $15,000 administrative stipend.

Phase 2 Director

Faculty in these positions supervise other faculty in their roles within the medical school.  They have the overall responsibility for the writing, design, development, implementation, and evaluation of the Year 3 rotations.  The position normally requires the incumbent to act in that capacity on average up to three days per week.  Phase 2  – Physician or non-physician base salary/daily rate + $15,000 administrative stipend.

Module Coordinator

The module coordinator will act as a liaison between the students, the appropriate Phase Committee and the student assessment committee with regards to assessment strategies for his or her module. This position requires a commitment of 1 day per week.  Physician or non-physician base salary/daily rate + $5,000 administrative stipend.

Theme Course Chairs

Provide leadership and direction to Theme Committee members in development of all aspects of the Theme in the NOSM U curriculum including student assessment. Set agendas and meeting dates for Theme meetings. Supervise activities of all Committee members as per committee member responsibilities and expectations. Chair all Theme Committee meetings. Attend all Phase meetings to represent the Theme. Attend all UME Committee meetings. These positions require a commitment of 1 to 3 days depending on the Theme.   Physician or non-physician base salary/daily rate + $2,500.

Theme Writers/ Item Writers

Theme writers participate as a curriculum contributor for writing group and complete and independent writing items and examinations as assigned. Administrative Stipend – $500 to $2,000 depending on complexity of task.

NOSM U Theme 1 – 5 Committee Members

Theme 1 Committee Member

Contribute to the development of the Theme 1 (Northern and Rural Health) Course as a member of the Course Committee.  The position requires a commitment of 1 to 3 days per month.

Theme 2 Committee Member

Contribute to the development of the Theme 2 (Personal and Professional Aspects of Medicine) Course as a member of the Course Committee.  The position requires a commitment of 1 to 3 days per month.

Theme 3 Committee Member

Contribute to the development of the Theme 3 (Social and Population Health) Course as a member of the Course Committee.  The position requires a commitment of 1 to 3 days per month.

Theme 4 Committee Member

Contribute to the development of the Theme 4 (Foundations of Medicine) Course as a member of the Course Committee.  The position requires a commitment of 1 to 2 days per month.

Theme 5 Committee Member

Contribute to the development of the Theme 5 (Clinical Skills in Health Care) Course as a member of the Course Committee.  The position requires a commitment of 1 day per month.

Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME) Related Roles

Competence Committee Member (RCPSC Residency Programs)

Competence Committee members make group decisions based on patterns of performance evidence to inform postgraduate resident progression in their program.  Committee members exercise judgment in making decisions and status recommendations that are guided by the national specialty competency framework.

Education Advisory Committee Member

Education Advisory Board members provide effective advice, resources and support to any Residency Program, Program Director, or Resident requesting guidance with creating and implementing effective individual educational/learning plans particularly in relation to remediation periods.

Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) Tutor

Under the direction of the EBM Coordinator and a Program Director, EBM Tutors prepare and deliver EBM tutorial sessions for postgraduate residency program academics. Tutors participate in program and curriculum planning.

Research Tutor

Reporting to either a Program Director or a residency program Research Coordinator, the research tutor is responsible for facilitating the development of research skills for postgraduate residents. The tutor is responsible for facilitating tutorial sessions at Academics and may provide direct one-to-one support as well. The following roles have salaries that are calculated with the Physician Leadership Evaluation Tool* and thus have been deleted from the Faculty Handbook: Phase Three Coordinator, Clerkship Leads, Section Chairs, Directors.  Other roles with salaries calculated with the Physician Leadership Evaluation Tool include:

Medical Advisors, Medical Directors, Global Health Coordinator, Site Liaison Clinicians, Francophone Lead, Francophone Education Lead, Evidence Based Medicine Coordinator, Research Coordinator, IMG Coordinator, ICU Coordinator, Evaluation Coordinator, Psychotherapy Coordinator, Regional Director, Research Tutor, FM Academic Coordinator, FM Academic Resource Coordinator, Enhanced Skills Coordinator, CTU Director, Program Director, Active Site Director, Developing Site Director, Major Site Director, Academic Coordinator, Rural FM Director.

*The Physician Leadership Evaluation Tool is designed to recognize the primary elements of physician leadership roles including but not limited to complexity, contacts, rank, qualifications, use of judgement, independence of action and qualifications

NOSM University Rates for Instructional Hours: Small Group Facilitation/Clinical Lecturer, etc. (Effective 2017/2018*)

Clinical Teaching Compensation Plan

Faculty Remuneration Process

*Refer to the following Appendix A for further details on this process.

Contact accountspayable@nosm.ca for any questions regarding HST, or if there are any changes to your banking or you HST registration status.

Appendix A: Faculty Remuneration Process

Academic Teaching

Academic teaching generally includes lectures/seminars/teaching sessions (in person or virtually), academic session facilitation, competence committee participation, simulation and skills training outside of a clinical rotation/learning experience.  This would also include preparatory work designing subject learning objectives, assessing comprehension throughout course delivery, and evaluating teaching effectiveness.  Academic teaching rates are often used to benchmark other academic work such as remediation or enhanced learning plan (ELP) coaching.

For Resident teaching: If you are in doubt, the PGME program contact you are working with will advise you on payment classification and any necessary pre-approvals required.

Clinical Teaching

The Clinical Sciences Faculty member who provides clinical teaching is a qualified health care professional and faculty member who practices in a clinical setting in which the learner will learn. The faculty member provides experience and opportunities for observation, which allows the learner to meet learning objectives. The faculty member also acts as a resource person during the learner’s placement.  A Preceptor teaching in the clinical environment would fall into this category.

For details, please refer to the Clinical Teaching Compensation Plan.

Invoice Requirements (when a vendor is registered for HST)

HST- registered vendors must submit invoices directly to NOSM U Accounts Payable (accountspayable@nosm.ca) to receive payment for all HST eligible services. HST eligible services are anything that is non-clinical teaching (any teaching that occurs without an actual patient present). Generally, this is either academic teaching or administrative work.

A proper invoice must:

• Contain a company name
• Contain an HST registration #
• Contain a unique invoice number
• Be billed to the “NOSM University”
• Be properly dated to reflect the appropriate invoice period
• Contain a description of the services performed including the dates the services were performed
• Be for the amount of service and the associated HST amount (cannot be exclusively for the HST)
• Be submitted in a timely manner

Professor Emeritus/Emerita Policy
Notice of Retirement Form

Undergraduate Medical Education (UME) Academic Appeals Policy

Human Rights, Anti-Discrimination and Harassment

NOSM University is a unique institution defined by a commitment to social accountability. The School pursues a culture of inclusiveness and responsiveness within the medical communities, the Northern Communities, the rural communities, and the Indigenous and Francophone communities it serves throughout the region. Evidence of this mandate can be found in the School’s curriculum, administrative structure, research program, student demographics, and continuing education.

NOSM University is committed to corporate, social, and academic accountability, and this is reflected in the School’s organizational structure. The School is registered as a not-for-profit corporation and maintains an independent budget, administration, and a Board of Directors, while academic affairs are deeply connected with both host universities.

The Dean, as an Academic Dean, is accountable for NOSM U academic activities through the NOSM U Academic Council and the Joint Senate Committee for NOSM to the two University Senates. The Dean, as CEO of the NOSM U Corporation, is accountable to the Board of Directors for the organization and management of the School.

Management of the organization is the responsibility of the School’s Executive Group. The Dean is accountable to the Board and is responsible for all aspects of the School’s direction except for those assigned to the Board itself.

The Executive Group consists of the Dean, the Associate Deans, and the Chief Administration Officer. This group is responsible for academic programs including Undergraduate Medical Education, Postgraduate Education, Community Engagement, Faculty Affairs and Continuing Education and Professional Development, Research, and the administration of NOSM U.

See Management Group Chart.

Note: To access some of the following resources and links you will be required to use your MyNOSM credentials/password.

Leadership and Administration

Office of the President and Vice Chancellor

University Secretary and Governance
– Senate
– Executive Group

Office of the Vice Dean, Academic

Office of the Chief Operating Officer

Communications and External Relations

Facilities

Finance and Procurement
– Expense Reimbursement
– Forms
– Policies, Protocols and Procedures

Human Resources
– Employment Equity and Diversity

Information Technology – IT Helpdesk, Password Management and Training Resources

PGME Family Medicine Faculty Handbook 2021-22

Other Resources and Links

Continuing Education and Professional Development
– CEPD Office Privacy Policy
– CEPD Protocol on Relationships with Industry

Health Sciences Library-Health Sciences Information, Services, Resources and Research Support

Lexicon of Common UME Terms

Our Community
– NOSM U’s Response to COVID-19
– Indigenous Engagement
– Francophone Engagement

Respect the Difference

Document Central Directory-Policy, Procedure and Guidelines
– Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA)
– Statement on Free Speech
– Conflict of Interest (COI) with Commercial Entities Policy
– Electronic Monitoring Policy
– Intellectual Property, Patents and Copyright, Laurentian University
– Intellectual Property Policy, Lakehead University
– Academic Freedom and Integrity of Research

Never Miss a Beat!

Northern Routes-Dean’s Blog

Sign up for The Pulse

Continuing Education and Professional Development

Research
– Research Newsletter
– Northern Ontario Academic Medical Association (NOAMA)

Dr. Harshad Telang
Associate Dean, Faculty Affairs
Tel: 807-766-7398
Fax: 705-662-7265
Email: htelang@nosm.ca

Dr. Barb Zelek
Division Head, Clinical Sciences
Tel: 807-766-7416
Fax: 705-662-7265
Email: bzelek@nosm.ca

Dr. Douglas Boreham
Division Head, Medical Sciences and Human Sciences
Tel: 705-662-7175
Fax: 705-675-4858
Email: dboreham@nosm.ca

Anita Arella
Director, Faculty Affairs
Tel: 807-766-7326
Fax: 705-662-7265
Email: aarella@nosm.ca

Amanda Mihalus
Executive Assistant, Faculty Affairs
Tel: 807-766-7519
Cell: 807-709-0581
Email: amihalus@nosm.ca

Debbie Reed
Faculty Evaluations Coordinator
Tel: 807-766-7382
Fax: 807-766-7486
Email: dreed@nosm.ca

Pamela Lemieux
Faculty Mentorship Program Coordinator
Tel: 705-662-7267
Fax: 705-675-4858
Email:plemieux@nosm.ca

Kirsten Hysert
Faculty Relations Coordinator, Clinical Sciences Division
Tel: 705-662-7136
Fax: 705-675-4858
Email: khysert@nosm.ca

Brittany Freeman
Administrative Coordinator, Clinical Sciences Division
Tel: 807-766-7416
Fax: 807-766-7486
Email: bfreeman@nosm.ca

Julie Neill
Administrative Assistant
Tel: 807-766-7430
Fax: 705-662-7265
Email:jneill@nosm.ca