Selection and Review for PACE Assessment Program
Welcome to the PACE Assessment Program selection process page. Below, you will find detailed information about the criteria and steps involved in selecting candidates for the PACE Assessment Program.
Eligibility Criteria
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia (the ‘College’) sets the eligibility criteria for participation in the PACE Assessment Program. For detailed eligibility requirements, please refer to the College’s website.
Review of Qualifications
Upon completion of the review of qualifications by the Registration Department at the College, eligible candidates are referred to PACE.
Ranking of Eligible Candidates
PACE ranks eligible candidates based on their likelihood of success in the Assessment. The ranking process considers several factors, including:
- Currency of Practice: The candidate’s recent practice in office-based primary care.
- Relevance of Rotations: The relevance of the applicant’s rotations (internship/postgraduate training) to the competencies being assessed through PACE
- Performance in Standardized Examinations: The candidate’s performance in any standardized examinations, including Canadian examinations such as NAC OSCE, MCCQEI, and TDM examinations.
- Canadian Healthcare Experience: Experience in the past 3 years in Canadian healthcare, such as work in allied healthcare professional activities, clinical assistant work, surgical assisting, support work, etc.
- Continuing Professional Development: The recency of continuing professional development relevant to primary care practice.
Competitive Selection Process
The selection process is competitive, with limited space in PACE Assessment Programs. Only the most qualified candidates will be referred by PACE to Nova Scotia Health for an interview, which is the final stage of the selection process.
Final Selection and Requirements
The final selection for participation in the Assessment is made by Nova Scotia Health following the interview process. The names of the selected candidates are then sent to PACE.
Selected candidates are required to sign:
- A letter of offer from Nova Scotia Health
- A return of service agreement with the Department of Health and Wellness
- A contract with PACE respecting their participation in the Assessment
Selected physicians may only commence the Assessment upon providing proof of legal authority to work in Canada (such as citizenship, work permit, or permanent residency), and after being issued a Clinical Assessment Licence.
For more information, please refer to the PACE Assessment Program Overview and the College’s website.