Transition to Practice Stream
The transition to practice (TTP) mentorship program provides support to guide and nurture new clinicians in their transition to practice. Through this stream, we match residents at NOSM U with clinical faculty in Northern Ontario who can help to mentor them as they move from residency to their new clinical environment. In addition, we are also open to matching Practice Ready Ontario (PRO) stream candidates to a mentor either in their community or in another. The mentor cannot be the same as the supervisor.
Finally, it is recognized that academic registrants may benefit from a transition to practice mentor who is different than their supervisor.
Our objectives through this stream include:
- Fostering meaningful connections between emerging clinicians and seasoned Northern Ontario physicians, by establishing a mentorship relationship that:
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- supports the transition from academic training to family and specialty medical practices;
- supports the PRO program candidates from time of successful completion of assessment through the first year of supervision; and
- supports academic registrants through their first year of work on an academic license in Northern Ontario
- Directly contributing to addressing the critical need for skilled physicians in Northern Ontario areas, aligning with the identified need for robust support systems during the transition phase for clinicians entering into practice.
TTP Mentees
- Who are the mentees
- The TTP stream has been tailored to residents in their final year who will be entering practice in Northern Ontario. The program is open to all residents at NOSM University in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario and who are eligible for independent licensure by end of March 2027. Your mentor will be funded if they are NOSM U faculty in Northern Ontario and willing to complete the CPD skills development for mentorship
- The TTP stream is being opened to PRO candidates in their first year of supervised practice and before they establish independent licensure
- TTP mentees may also include academic registrants in their first year of practice in Northern Ontario
- The Commitment: Engage in up to 10 hours of mentor time over a 12-month period, starting as you enter practice – for residents, after July 1, 2026 – and for PRO candidates and academic registrants as soon as entry to supervised practice.
- Tracking and Evaluation: In addition to meeting with mentors, mentees participate in program evaluation to help improve CAMINO.
Apply to become a TTP mentee:
Interested candidates meeting the above eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply by completing the Expression of Interest and a representative from the OPWS will be in touch with next steps.
TTP Mentors
- Mentors support the professional growth of newly graduated residents and offer them guidance on their transition into practice.
- Mentors of PRO candidates who are entering supervised practice support those candidates to successfully transition to practice. The mentor cannot be the same as the supervisor.
- Mentors of academic registrants support their transition to practice in the academic context and do NOT provide supervision.
- Mentors will be selected based on a decision matrix considering their area of expertise, years in practice and geographic location. If a mentee has a mentor that they have already identified, and they would like to formalize the mentoring relationship we can support the formalizing of that connection. Ideally, the mentor will be in the same LEG group and the same discipline.
Time commitment
- Participate in up to 10 hours of mentorship (in person or virtual) per academic year (this is the amount that is funded – 10 hours per year, per mentee, for one year only.)
- Attend a half-hour virtual orientation session upon matching to a mentee.
- Complete three accredited skills development sessions and an accredited self-paced online module for continuing professional development. The coaching and mentoring skills are highly transferable and will serve well in whatever you do in your clinical teaching practice.
- Fill out a brief mid-point survey and a final evaluation to help enhance the program.
Apply to become a TTP mentor
NOSM faculty interested in serving as mentors are invited to complete an Expression of Interest.