Appointments & Advancements

Appointments & Advancements

Office of Clinical Faculty Affairs

The Office of Clinical Faculty Affairs provides essential information on faculty appointments, including the application process, library card access, contracts, and upcoming events. If you are applying for a Clinical Faculty Appointment or Promotion within the Department of Medicine, please visit the following link:
Clinical Faculty Appointments – Department of Medicine.

Division Head Letter of Support

To assist us in preparing your letter of support, please complete the relevant form(s) using the links below:

Criteria for Advancement

Clinical Instructor

  • This rank is typically held for no more than 5 years.

  • Demonstrates interest and potential in teaching.

  • Shows competence in clinical practice and a commitment to relating this practice to teaching.

  • Generally considered a probationary appointment, with annual reassessment by the Department’s Committee on Clinical Appointments and Promotions.

Clinical Assistant Professor

  • Typically held for 3 to 5 years, though some may remain in this role indefinitely.

  • Demonstrates formal assessment as a capable teacher.

  • Exhibits competence in clinical practice and integrates teaching with clinical practice.

  • Makes sustained efforts to deliver effective and meaningful teaching sessions.

  • Actively learns and applies teaching techniques.

  • Is a member of relevant local and provincial professional organizations.

  • For promotion from Clinical Instructor to Clinical Assistant Professor, candidates are expected to be a member of the College of Family Physicians of Canada (or a comparable professional body, with approval). The candidate is responsible for providing documentation of membership.

  • Participates in administrative or service activities at the hospital, agency, or University.

  • Contributes at least 50 hours of academic activity over a two-year period.

Clinical Associate Professor

  • Typically held for 5 to 10 years, though some may remain at this rank indefinitely.

  • Recognized as one of the department’s top teachers, based on formal assessments.

  • Achieves a reputation for being a highly competent clinician.

  • Develops expertise in a specialized area of clinical practice.

  • Takes an active, visible role in provincial and national professional organizations.

  • Candidates for promotion to Clinical Associate Professor can meet one or more of the following criteria:

    • Certification from the College of Family Physicians of Canada, and/or

    • Certification from an equivalent professional body (documentation required).

    • If not certified by a professional body, candidates will be considered for promotion based on meeting the general criteria for Clinical Associate Professor.

  • Contributes significantly to administrative or service roles in their hospital, agency, or University.

  • Frequently invited to speak at professional society meetings, continuing education programs, or other institutions.

  • Contributes more than 50 hours of academic work over a two-year period.

Clinical Professor

  • Demonstrates exceptional leadership in the educational program, inspiring and teaching students with excellence, as assessed by formal review.

  • Recognized by peers as an outstanding clinician with documented contributions to professional practice in their hospital or University.

  • Provides leadership in national or international professional organizations.

  • Meets all specified departmental and school criteria for appointment.

  • Demonstrates distinguished service and leadership in committee, administrative, or policy-making roles at the hospital, agency, University, or professional organization.

  • Contributes more than 50 hours of academic work over a two-year period.

For more information or to access the necessary forms, please contact dopc.headassistant@ubc.ca or visit the Faculty of Medicine website by clicking here.