Obtaining Hospital Privileges

Applying for hospital privileges is a process similar to many others that you have already gone through. Most hospitals will have a form for you to fill out. Details of your practice life to date might be asked, including:

• Residency, Fellowships
• Clinical Positions
  
• Teaching Positions
  
• Previous Hospital Privileges
  
• Any previous denial, suspension or revocation of privileges
  
• Any involvement in malpractice suits or college investigations

Items requested may include copies of your:

• Resume
• ACLS, ATLS, ALSO, NRP, etc. certificates
• LMCC certificate
• OMA/CMA/CMPA/CPSO/Licences from other provinces certificates
• MD Degree, previous degrees
• FRCPC, FRCSC, CCFP certification
• Evidence of successful completion of procedures relevant to your placement
• Reference letters
• Recent photograph

Hospital privileges usually require approval by the medical affairs committee, or equivalent body, and possibly others. One should apply for privileges at least one month prior to the planned work term.

The OHA (Ontario Hospital Association) has recently started a locum credentialing application program (LCAP) in which many hospitals participate. Instead of obtaining privileges at each hospital you locum at, you obtain privileges through the program and that allows you to locum at all the participating hospitals.

Currently the program is only offered to “small, rural and northern” hospitals and to family doctors.