Council of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador

Department

Authority

Remuneration

Purpose:

This Council will regulate the practice of medicine in the public interest.

Structure:

The composition of the Council shall reflect the cultural, ethnic, and regional diversity of the province.

The council shall consist of:

• seven persons who are either medical practitioners or physician assistants who hold a current license, and are elected by secret ballot in accordance with the by-laws
• one person appointed by the Minister who shall not be a medical practitioner or physician assistant, who is suitable to represent the public interest
• two persons appointed by the council who shall not be medical practitioners or physician assistants, who are suitable to represent the public interest
• one person appointed by the Minister who shall be appointed from a list of not less than three nominees submitted by the Faculty of Medicine of Memorial University 
• two medical practitioners appointed by the Minister, both of whom shall be appointed from a list of not less than four nominees submitted by the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association
• one person appointed by the Minister who is a graduate of a school of medicine or osteopathy approved by the council who is engaged in post-graduate medical training approved by the council, who shall be appointed from a list of not less than three nominees submitted by the Professional Association of Residents of Newfoundland and Labrador

Competency Profile:

Diversity in the backgrounds, skills, knowledge, and experience of appointed Council members can enhance the effectiveness of the Council by bringing a wider range of perspectives and knowledge. Examples of such may include:

• Knowledge of the Medical Act, 2011
• Knowledge of professional regulation
• Strategic thinking: College member adds value to the organization’s processes for setting future plans and actions
• Leadership: fosters diversity and respectfulness, empowers others, ethical, team builder, strategic minded
• Ability to read, analyze, and evaluate information
• Ability to create an open environment that invites collaboration and communication
• Ability to uphold the College’s shared values
• Familiarity with the principals of good governance, including accountability, transparency, and ethical conduct
• Ability to provide a diverse perspective which complements the Council composition
• Backgrounds: law enforcement, health care, information technology, public relations, public sector administration, governance, human resources, financial expertise, literacy expertise, legal expertise

Qualifications:

The following attributes are important considerations in selecting members:                               

• Interest in health care
• Previous board experience
• High ethical standards and integrity
• Appreciation of the responsibilities to the public
• Flexible, responsive and willing to consider others’ opinions
• Capable of a wide perspective on issues
• Ability to listen and work as a team member
• No direct or indirect conflict of interest
• Strong reasoning and conflict resolution skills
• Strategic planning experience
• Effective communication skills (written and oral)
• Policy development experience
• Leadership/management skills

Time Commitments:

Members of the Council should be available to meet four times per year (meetings usually last 2-3 hours), plus any additional meetings and teleconferences as required. Council members are generally asked to sit on two committees of the Council, which usually meet a minimum of four times per year.

Term:

A person appointed holds office for a term of three years and is eligible to be re-appointed.

Where a person appointed holds office for a period of nine consecutive years the person is not eligible for appointment as a member of the Council until the expiration of 12 months from the end of the year in which he or she was last a director.

Where the term of an appointed director expires, he or she continues to be a director until re-appointed or replaced.