Frequently Asked Questions You’ve Got Questions and We’ve Got Answers
Have a question? Search PARA’s frequently asked questions for quick answers about your Resident Physician Agreement, member benefits, and available supports. From duty hour limits and leave entitlements to health and dental coverage, our searchable FAQ makes it easy to find the information you need, when you need it.
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Resident Physicians shall be scheduled for a maximum of eighty (80) hours per week averaged over a four (4) week block, inclusive of standard duty hours, shift based duty hours, call shifts, handover and rounds.
Standard Duty Hours refers to scheduled work performed from Monday through Friday during daytime hours
Yes, resident physicians may voluntarily choose to stay beyond the maximum hours specified in Article 23.01 (e), (f), and (g) for enhanced learning opportunities, if it is safe to do so. However, they cannot be required to work beyond these hours, and no additional payment or stipends will be provided for time spent beyond the set duty hours.
Handover must occur immediately following the conclusion of a standard duty shift or call shift and cannot exceed 2 hours. This ensures that handover responsibilities are completed efficiently without extending shift lengths unnecessarily.
Resident physicians cannot be required to work more than 24 consecutive hours, plus an additional 2 hours for handover. This includes standard duty hours, shift-based duty hours, call shifts, and rounds. After this time, residents are not required to remain on-site for presentations or morning half-days.
The Professional Association of Resident Physicians of Alberta (PARA) represents over 1,900 resident physicians training across the province. As your official advocate and bargaining agent, we protect your workplace rights, compensation, and overall well-being.
Resident physicians can be scheduled for a maximum of 80 hours per week on average, over a four-week block. This total includes standard duty hours, shift-based duty hours, call shifts, handover and rounds.
The Professional Association of Resident Physicians of Alberta (PARA) represents over 1,900 resident physicians training across the province. As your official advocate and bargaining agent, we protect your workplace rights, compensation, and overall well-being.
The minimum rest period between in-house duty hour shifts is 10 hours. This includes standard duty hours, shift-based duty hours, call shifts, and handover when a resident physician is not provided with a post-call day off. This ensures adequate recovery time between shifts.