Frequently Asked Questions
- What is an EPRT Committed Assignment?
- What if I’m unable to fulfill all or part of an assignment I’ve committed to?
- How is a day defined under EPRT?
- Can the program cancel all or part of a Committed Assignment?
- Do I really have to be willing and able to work at any Emergency Department in B.C.?
- How much notice will I get before an assignment starts?
- Can my work with the EPRT include shifts I have already agreed to work?
- Can I choose the sites I’ll be working at?
What is an EPRT Committed Assignment?
An EPRT Committed Assignment is a date and time range a participating physician commits to working or traveling under the program.
The program provides a maximum of $5000 to physicians for each Committed Assignment. However, for payment purposes a new Committed Assignment will be considered to have started each time the physician is deployed to a new site.
What if I’m unable to fulfill all or part of an assignment I’ve committed to?
Up to forty-five (45) days in advance of a Committed Assignment, physicians have the option to cancel for any reason. After that, physicians incur a cancellation penalty. Exceptions may be made if there are unforeseen or extraordinary circumstances such as a sudden illness or medical emergency.
How is a day defined under EPRT?
Under the EPRT, a day is a defined 24-hour period within a Committed Assignment.
Can the program cancel all or part of a Committed Assignment?
The EPRT will make every effort to honour all Committed Assignments but reserves the right to cancel forty-five (45) days in advance.
Do I really have to be willing and able to work at any Emergency Department in B.C.?
Yes. The EPRT offers compensation for physicians who are willing and able to work at any hospital with an Emergency Department in B.C. on the dates they commit to.
How much notice will I get before an assignment starts?
EPRT will provide confirmation of assignments as quickly as possible but not less than forty-eight (48) hours in advance of the assignment start date.
Can my work with the EPRT include shifts I have already agreed to work?
No. The EPRT is not intended to disrupt or displace any work you already have arranged. As a participating physician, you must affirm that you will continue to honour any existing commitments you have made to provide service at any hospital in British Columbia.
Can I choose the sites I’ll be working at?
No. The purpose of the EPRT is to enable a flexible pool of physicians that can provide service where they are needed to prevent ED closures. While you can express your preferences, the expectation is that you will accept the assignments requested by the program on the dates that you have committed.
