Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Potential Applicants

Who can apply to the RESIDE Program?

To apply, an applicant must meet the following criteria:

• be one of the following: (a) a family medicine resident physician in their second year of residency completing their training before the end of the calendar year in which they intend to apply (b) a family medicine physician in their R3 year of enhanced skills training completing their R3 training before the end of the calendar year in which they intend to apply or (c) a practising family medicine physician who completed residency in Canada within the last five years 
• demonstrate interest in rural health
• be willing to sign a return-of-service agreement
• Must have applied for and be accepted into a full-time family medicine position in a RESIDE eligible community on https://doctorjobsalberta.albertahealthservices.ca/ 

How do I know if a position I apply for is eligible for RESIDE?

To be eligible for RESIDE, a position must meet the following criteria:  

• Be posted on  https://doctorjobsalberta.albertahealthservices.ca/ 
• Be a full-time family medicine position 
• Be located in a RESIDE-eligible community 

If I am already practising in a community which is eligible for RESIDE, am I eligible to apply for the RESIDE Program?

Physicians who are on part-time contracts or locuming in a RESIDE-eligible community and have not signed a letter of offer for a full-time family physician position with AHS are eligible to apply for RESIDE as long as they meet all other eligibility requirements. Physicians who have already signed a letter of offer for a full-time position with AHS in a RESIDE-eligible community are not eligible to apply for RESIDE for any family physician openings in the same or another RESIDE-eligible community. 

If I have received grant funding from the Northern Alberta Development Council in the past, does this affect my eligibility?

Having received other grant funding does not affect an applicant’s eligibility for the RESIDE Program as long as that funding did not come with a return-of-service expectation.

Can I reapply next year if I am not selected this year? 

Applicants can reapply as long as they still meet the program eligibility requirements. 

If I am applying with my partner to positions in the same community, would we both be eligible for RESIDE? 

Where both parties and the positions for which they have applied meet RESIDE eligibility criteria, both will receive  RESIDE benefits if they are accepted to the positions.  

How many applicants can participate in this program each year? 

The RESIDE program will continue to accept applications on an ongoing basis until the allocated funds are exhausted or until the end of the pilot phase is reached (end of 2024), whichever comes first. 

What is the application deadline? 

There is no application deadline. The application portal will remain open until the allocated funds are exhausted or until the end of the pilot phase in 2024, whichever comes first.  

How long will it take to hear back on the outcome of my application?

Applicants will receive notification on the status of their application within four weeks. 

How was the RESIDE-eligible community list arrived at? 

Communities whose Variable Fee Premium is greater than 0 as determined through Alberta Health’s Rural Remote Northern Program’s Community Rate Table, with the exception of the regional centres of Fort McMurray and Grande Prairie, are eligible for the RESIDE Program. 

How are the Level 1 and Level 2 communities determined? 

The lists of Level 1 and Level 2 communities were determined based on communities’ isolation scores as identified in Alberta Health’s Rural Remote Northern Program’s Community Rate Table. For the purposes of this program, Level 1 communities have isolation points of above 25 while Level 2 communities have isolation points less than or equal to 25.  

What if I am interested in practising in a rural community that is not included on the RESIDE community list? 

At this time, RESIDE Program funding is reserved for physicians who provide service in the communities designated as rural and remote by Alberta Health’s Rural Remote Northern Program and as per RESIDE program criteria.  

Where can I find more information about the rural communities that are part of this program? 

On the RESIDE Community Page, you will find a list of eligible RESIDE communities. 

Is there someone in each of the RESIDE Program communities with whom I can speak to get a better understanding of the community and medical practice in that community?  

Yes! If potential applicants have specific questions about a community, the RESIDE Team in coordination with one of RhPAP’s rural community consultants will identify and connect the potential applicant with a member of the local health workforce attraction and retention network who is able to answer their questions. 

Am I able to practise in more than one community during my service term? 

Practice expectations are outlined in the position descriptions available on https://doctorjobsalberta.albertahealthservices.ca/  

Is there any funding from RhPAP for visiting the community I am interested in before signing my RESIDE Contract? 

Although RhPAP is happy to connect you with community members who can set up tours if you are interested in exploring the community in advance of signing the RESIDE Contract or before the service term, there is no funding within the program specifically directed to supporting visits to the community before the service term begins. 

Is there someone in the community that I am interested in with whom I can speak to get a better understanding of the community and medical practice in that community? 

Yes! If applicants have specific questions about a community in which they are interested in practising, the RESIDE Team in coordination with one of RhPAP’s rural community consultants will identify and connect them with a member of the local health workforce attraction and retention network who will be best able to answer their questions. 

How much is the financial benefit provided through the RESIDE Program?

The RESIDE financial benefit ranges from $45,000 to $120,000 depending on the term of service selected by an applicant. 

RESIDE Financial Benefit 

When will the financial benefit be paid?

The first payment of the financial benefit will take place three months after the RESIDE physician starts their term of service. Subsequent payments will be made as per table below:  

RESIDE Financial Benefit Payment Structure 

Are there any restrictions on what I can use the financial benefit funds for? 

Once an applicant has received their financial benefit funding, there are no restrictions on how it can be used. 

Can I receive other funding/grants during my RESIDE term of service? 

Applicants may apply for any other funding or grants for which they are eligible as long as such funding does not require a return-of-service commitment. 

Am I eligible for the RhPAP Peter K. Lindsay Physician Skills Enrichment Program and/or any other RhPAP programs during my term of service? 

RESIDE physicians may apply for the Peter K. Lindsay Physician Skills Enrichment Program and other RhPAP Programs once they meet the program requirements. These requirements can be found on the physician section of the RhPAP Website. 

Are my moving and travel expenses covered? 

The RESIDE financial benefit is not specifically designated for moving and travel. The applicant may use it as they wish following disbursement. 

When will my RESIDE service term begin? 

RESIDE physicians will be expected to start their service term at the same time as they start the full-time eligible position.  

What happens if I am unable to complete my term of service? 

If, for any reason, a RESIDE physician is unable to practise medicine on a full-time basis during their term of service, the remainder of the term of service may be postponed until they are able to do so or until another agreement is reached. Although RhPAP will do what it can to support RESIDE physicians in their rural service, should the physician decide that they do not wish to complete the contracted term for any reason outside of mutually agreed upon compassionate grounds, they will be asked to repay the full amount of the financial benefit that has already been paid out.  

What happens after I complete my service term? 

Although RhPAP will do all it can to encourage RESIDE physicians to consider staying rural after their service term is complete, there is no obligation to do so. 

What happens if I have to take a leave during my term of service? 

Leave expectations and the impact of any leave on the RESIDE term of service (if there are any) will need to be determined in discussion with the AHS physician’s supervisor/ community medical director and RhPAP’s RESIDE Program Director. 

Does the return-of-service term have to be performed consecutively? 

Under normal conditions, it is expected that the service term would be performed over consecutive years. However, RhPAP will endeavour to be flexible if a RESIDE physician requires a leave and will consider the impact of all leave requests on the remaining service term on a case-by-case basis. 

In addition to a community orientation, what other supports are available to me in the community? 

Community supports will be identified and provided by the local health workforce attraction and retention network, RhPAP’s local rural community consultant, and/or other local residents who will be involved in helping to ensure the RESIDE physician has a smooth integration into the community. Community-organized attraction and retention initiatives and activities will include the RESIDE physician. Community supports will be designed on a case-by-case basis to help ensure a smooth transition and sustained integration of the RESIDE physician and, if applicable, their family. 

In addition to a practice orientation, what other work-related supports will be available in the community? 

Work-related supports can be discussed with the RESIDE physician’s supervisor or community medical director. 

What community supports are available for my family? 

The RESIDE physician’s family will be included in all of the relevant welcoming and integration activities offered to the physician.  

Will accommodations be made available in the community? 

No. Successful applicants are responsible for finding their own accommodation. Some communities may provide support with finding accommodation. 

What kind of services will I be providing in the community? 

Please refer to the position description available on https://doctorjobsalberta.albertahealthservices.ca/  for specific practice requirements. 

How often can I expect to cover overnight call at the local health centre/hospital? 

Call expectations should be discussed with supervisor or community medical director. 

Will there be mentoring opportunities in the community? Are there any available programs through which I can help ensure that my skills better meet the needs of the community? 

Mentoring opportunities should be discussed with supervisor or community medical director. In addition, RhPAP offers many continuing professional development programs to support physicians in rural practice.