Application Process and Packages

Engaged in academic activities for less than 20% of his/her professional working time.

For an adjunct appointment application please complete the online application form and attach all the completed documents listed below at the time of submission. You will be prompted to attached documents when completing the application form.

Required Documents:

Please ensure to use our checklist and naming conventions when attaching the following required documents to the online application form:

• Online application form
• Letter of Support from Family Physician-in-Chief (*updated version August 2022*)
• CV
• Certificate of Professional Conduct (photocopy acceptable), received within 12 months of submission
• Position Description
• For rank of Assistant Professor or higher only: reference letters required (2 internal, 2 external. The Chief's letter may count as an internal letter). 
• Professional Development Plan
• Profile Form

*TAHSN Hospitals: Under the University of Toronto/TAHSN hospital affiliation agreements, clinical adjunct appointments should not be given to hospital active staff (or equivalent) at a TAHSN site.

Engaged in academic activities for 20-79% of his/her professional working time.

For a part time appointment application please complete the online application form and attach all the completed documents listed below at the time of submission.  You will be prompted to attached documents when completing the application form.

Required Documents:

Please ensure to use our checklist and naming conventions when attaching the following required documents to the online application form:

• Online application form
• Letter of Support from Family Physician-in-Chief (*updated version August 2022*)
• CV
• Certificate of Professional Conduct (photocopy acceptable), received within 12 months of submission  
• Position Description
• Position Description *(template specifically to be used for TAHSN sites only)*
• For rank of Assistant Professor or higher only: reference letters required (2 internal, 2 external. The Chief's letter may count as an internal letter). 
• Professional Development Plan
• Profile Form

*TAHSN Hospitals: Under the University of Toronto/TAHSN hospital affiliation agreements, university clinical part time appointments for hospital active staff (or equivalent) can only be approved with an accompanying Letter of Exemption specifically outlining the reason for a part time appointment.  The Letter of Exemption must be signed on letterhead and be provided with the application package.
 

Engaged in academic activities for at least 80% of his/her professional working time and must participate in a practice plan or equivalent arrangement.

For a full time appointment application please complete the online application form and attach all the completed documents listed below at the time of submission.  You will be prompted to attached documents when completing the application form.

Required Documents:

Please ensure to use our checklist and naming conventions when attaching the following required documents to the online application form:

• Online application form
• Letter of Support - Full Time (MD) (*updated version May 2023*)
• CV
• Certificate of Professional Conduct (photocopy acceptable), received within 12 months of submission
• Position Description (MD)
• Professional Development Plan (MD)
• 2 Internal Reference Letters and 2 External Reference Letters
  • Reference Letter template
  • Template to solicit/request a reference letter
  • Please note: the Chief's letter may count as an internal letter. In some cases, where only internal letters may be available, then 3-4 internal letters will be required.
• Profile Form

While most new DFCM faculty members are appointed to the DFCM at the rank of Lecturer, some may qualify for the rank of Assistant Professor (or even Associate or Full Professor) based on their academic contributions. Applicants interested in this option should discuss with their Family Physician-in-Chief or DFCM Program Director/Division Head.

1) Advanced Degree

An initial appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor requires the successful completion of a Master's Degree, PhD, or an advanced training experience deemed to be equivalent to a Master's level program. In some cases, 1-2 years of fellowship training, including secondary level resident training, will be considered the equivalent to an advanced degree. Normally, the degree program must have been completed as documented by a successful defense of a thesis and awarding of the degree before submission of the appointment request. 

2) Academic Impact

The candidate must demonstrate the impact of scholarship at a local or regional level. It is expected that the candidate will have at least 1-2 recently published first author peer-reviewed publications in well-regarded journals in their field OR documentation demonstrating educational accomplishments in one or more of the following:

1. sustained teaching excellence (i.e. a summary of a strong teaching dossier that includes evaluations, numbers and types of trainees and evidence that the candidate has taught in a variety of teaching environments, and teaching awards)
2. Design and development of curricula, educational offerings and/or educational materials
3. Creative Professional Activity (CPA) in teaching/education (such as the setting of practice standards)

Transferring rank from another institution

Applications from candidates who hold an appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor or above at another university will be reviewed by the Faculty Appointments Advisory Committee (FAAC) to ensure that they meet the Temerty Faculty of Medicine standards for the requested rank. Rank will not transfer automatically as each institution has its own criteria.

Required Documents

Please refer to and complete an application package for a new adjunct, part time, or full time appointment listed above, with the following amendments:

1. The letter of support written by the Family Physician-in-Chief or DFCM Program Director must be more robust than a letter for the rank of Lecturer. It must state the rationale for the rank of Assistant Professor and discuss the applicant’s qualifications.
2. All initial clinical appointment submissions at the rank of Assistant Professor or above are required to use the Temerty Faculty of Medicine Academic CV Format (*NEW* effective November 3, 2021).
   • Temerty Faculty of Medicine Academic CV Template
3. Letters of reference are required for all applications at an advanced rank. This should include 2 internal and 2 external letters.
   • Reference Letter template
   • Template to solicit/request a reference letter
   • Please note: the Chief's letter may count as an internal letter. In some cases, where ONLY internal or external letters may be available, that is acceptable.
4. If the candidate does not have 1-2 first author peer-reviewed publications, they MUST include documentation in the package that clearly demonstrates their educational and/or creative professional accomplishments (i.e. teaching dossier, curriculum design, etc).

If you have questions about initial appointment ranks, please contact dfcm.facultyappt@utoronto.ca for more details.

To apply for a DFCM faculty appointment under the Division of Emergency Medicine, the applicant is likely CCFP (EM) trained and teaching Family Medicine residents in their Emergency Rotation.

Adjunct, Part-Time or Full-Time Emergency Applications

Please refer to and complete the application package for an adjunct, part time, or full time appointment listed above, with the following amendments:

• The application is prepared on site with a letter of Support from the Family Physician-In-Chief/Local EM Chief/Local Department Head.
• An additional letter of recommendation is required from the Director of the Emergency Division, Dr. Megan Landes. To receive this letter, kindly submit the complete appointment application with a saved and printed version of the online application form, via email to dfcm.divisionem@utoronto.ca. 
• When a letter has been provided by Dr. Landes to your office, you may then submit the entire application via online application form.

To apply for a DFCM faculty appointment under the Division of Palliative Care, the applicant must be a Family Medicine physician practicing in Palliative Care and likely teaching Family Medicine residents in their Palliative Care Rotation.  To apply under the DFCM Division of Palliative Care, please contact dfcm.divisionpalliative@utoronto.ca

Adjunct, Part-Time or Full-Time Palliative Care Applications

Please refer to and complete the application package for an adjunct, part time, or full time appointment listed above, with the following amendments:

• Letter of Support from the Family Physician-in-Chief must instead be written by the Head of the Division of Palliative Care, Dr. Kirsten Wentlandt. 
• All applications also require a letter of reference from the applicant's Division of Palliative Care Site Lead.
• To submit an application under the Division of Palliative Care, kindly contact dfcm.divisionpalliative@utoronto.ca

If you are interested in applying for a Department of Family and Community Medicine academic appointment under the FMLE program, please contact the FMLE Coordinator at fmle.recruit@utoronto.ca.

Who can apply?

The applicant must:

• Be in good standing with the CPSO
• Have CCFP Certification or be a member of the CFPC
• Work in a community-based clinic that is accessible by public transit or car within a 40 - 60 minute commute from the downtown Toronto campus or the Mississauga campus (located at 3359 Mississauga Road North) even if it is a locum practice (no extra office space required)

If you are interested in applying for a Department of Family and Community Medicine academic appointment under the TTR or Undergraduate Electives program, please contact familymed.undergrad@utoronto.ca.

Who can apply?

The applicant must:

• Be in good standing with the CPSO
• Have a CCFP Certification or be a member of the CFPC

To apply under the Teaching Practices, Integrated Communities, or Northern Initiative program please contact DFCM.TeachingPractice@utoronto.ca.

Required Documents:

• Copy of CCFP/CPSO/CMPA Memberships
• Certificate of Professional Conduct (photocopy acceptable), received within 12 months of submission
• Clinical (MD) Appointment Application (ADJ/PT)
  • Teaching Practices Application Package
  • Integrated Communities Application Package
  • Rural Northern Initiative Application Package

For existing Clinical (MD) faculty who wish to change their clinical category due to an increase/decrease in time commitment or site change, a category change application is required.

Category Change to Full Time

For existing faculty who wish to change their category from Clinical Adjunct/Part Time to Clinical Full Time, a complete Full Time application is required. Please see the requirements for a Clinical (MD) Full Time application above.

Category Change to Adjunct or Part Time

For existing faculty who wish to change their category to Part Time or Adjunct, a truncated (shortened) application is acceptable. The required documents are outlined below.

Required Documents for Truncated Application to Adjunct/Part Time:

Please ensure to use our checklist and naming conventions when attaching the following required documents to the online application form:

• Online application form
• Letter of Support from Family Physician-in-Chief (explaining change in category, updated August 2022)
• CV
• Position Description
• Position Description *(template specifically to be used for TAHSN sites only)*

*TAHSN Hospitals: Under the University of Toronto/TAHSN hospital affiliation agreements, university clinical part time appointments for hospital active staff (or equivalent) can only be approved with an accompanying Letter of Exemption specifically outlining the reason for a part time appointment.  The Letter of Exemption must be signed on letterhead and be provided with the application package.

What Is a University Adjunct Lecturer (Non-MD) Faculty Appointment?

*Not to be confused with Clinical Adjunct (MD) appointment type for physicians (section above).

This category is for non-MD individuals who possess specialized expertise or learning that is of value to our department. The individual must hold employment with another institution with a job description that is primarily non-academic in nature. For example, a candidate might be an employee in industry or government or a professional who has specialized qualifications for teaching purposes. It could also be an individual who works at an affiliated site but is not employed full time.

These are limited term appointments (1-3 years) and renewable upon successful re-appointment.

Important note: the university does not normally allow individuals to hold more than one Adjunct (non-MD) appointment. Therefore, if you already hold an Adjunct appointment in another department/faculty, you will not be able to apply for a secondary Adjunct appointment in the DFCM unless there are extenuating circumstances. 

For a University Adjunct Lecturer appointment, please complete the online application form and attach all the completed documents listed below at the time of submission.  You will be prompted to attached documents when completing the application form.

Required Documents:

• Online application form
• A letter of support from Approved DFCM Site Chief or Program Director (*Updated August 2022*), indicating length of term (1-3 years)
• CV
• Profile Form

What Is a Status-Only (Non-MD) Faculty Appointment?

Status-only appointments are non-salaried and normally receive no remuneration from the University of Toronto. Such appointments are normally made to allow an individual faculty member to participate more fully in an academic unit's teaching or research program.

Individuals being considered for status-only positions should hold full time employment arrangements with another institution with a job description that is primarily academic (research and teaching) in nature. Most often, status only appointments are granted to employees of affiliated hospitals and research institutions. Clinical faculty represent a special class of status-only faculty as their appointments are governed by the Policy on Clinical Faculty. University of Toronto employed faculty members appointed to other University of Toronto academic units on a non-salaried basis are non-budgetary cross-appointments, and not status-only.

For a status only appointment application please complete the online application form and attach all the completed documents listed below at the time of submission.  You will be prompted to attached documents when completing the application form.

If you are a Health Professional Educator (HPE), please visit our HPE webpage for more information about the DFCM HPE community of practice and our useful HPE guidelines document.

Applicants with an Existing University Appointment:

Individuals who already hold an existing status only appointment elsewhere in the University may apply for a secondary ("concurrent") status only appointment in the DFCM.

Required Documents:

Please ensure to use our checklist and naming conventions when attaching the following required documents to the online application form:

Status Only Appointment at the rank of Lecturer:

• Online application form
• Letter of Support from the Family Physician-in-Chief (*Updated August 2022*)
• Letter of Support from Primary Employer (Should state the candidate's full employment/salary arrangements and their approval of the university appointment.)
• CV
• Professional Development Plan
• 2 Internal Reference Letters and 2 External Reference Letters
  • Reference Letter template
  • Template to solicit/request a reference letter
  • Please note: the Chief's letter may count as an internal letter. In some cases, where only internal letters may be available, then 3-4 internal letters will be required.
• Non-MD Profile Form

Status Only Appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Professor (please discuss with Site Chief to ensure candidate meets qualifications):

• Online application form
• Letter of Support from the Family Physician-in-Chief (*Updated March 2023*)
• Letter of Support from Primary Employer* (Should state the candidate's full employment/salary arrangements and their approval of the university appointment.)
• CV
• Statement of Research or Teaching (no template)
• Position Description (Non-MD)
• Professional Development Plan
• 2 Internal Reference Letters and 2 External Reference Letters
  • Reference Letter template
  • Template to solicit/request a reference letter
  • Please note: the Chief's letter may count as an internal letter. In some cases, where only internal letters may be available, then 3-4 internal letters will be required.
• Non-MD Profile Form

 *If the candidate has a PhD Scientist designation this letter must come from the VP of Research at the hospital or institution where the scientist is employed. The letter must state that the hospital or institution will provide salary and lab facilities for the duration of the academic appointment.

A cross-appointment may be given to an individual who already holds an existing appointment at the University of Toronto.

The type of cross-appointment in the DFCM is determined by the nature of the primary appointment they already hold. Please reference the chart below:

Clinical Cross Appointments

Clinical Cross-Appointments may be given to a practicing MD who already holds a primary 'clinical' appointment in another clinical department in the Faculty of Medicine. It is given to allow appointees to participate in the teaching activities of the DFCM.

For a clinical cross-appointment, please complete the online application form and attach all completed documents listed below at the time of submission. You will be prompted to attached documents when completing the application form.

Required Documents:

• Online Application Form

• DFCM Chief/Division Head Letter of Support Template - Clinical (MD) Cross Appt (*Updated August 2022*)

• CV

• Letter from Primary Department Chair/Director supporting the Cross Appointment

• Academic Position Description (*Updated September 2022*)

  • Clinical Adjunct or Part Time

  • Clinical Full Time

Non-Budgetary Cross Appointment

Non-budgetary cross appointments are given to an existing faculty member who is on paid salary in an academic unit at the University of Toronto and who is subsequently appointed to another academic unit on a non-salaried basis. These are fixed-term appointments, usually 1 to 3 years.

For a non-budgetary cross appointment, please complete the online application form and attach all completed documents listed below at the time of submission. You will be prompted to attached documents when completing the application form.

Required Documents:

• Online application form

• DFCM Chief/Division Director Letter of Support Template - Non-Budgetary Cross Appt

• Letter from Primary Department Chair/Director supporting the Cross Appointment

• CV

Concurrent Status-Only or Adjunct (non clinical) Appointments

Individuals with existing Status-Only appointments or Adjunct (non clinical) appointments at the University of Toronto may seek a concurrent (secondary) appointment in the DFCM. These are fixed term, the length of which should be tied to the term of the appointment in the faculty member's primary department.

For details and requirements, please see the drop down section above titled "Status-Only (Non-MD) Appointment Application", or "University Adjunct Lecturer (Non-MD) Appointment Application".

This category of appointment is used for faculty members visiting from other institutions for less than a year that require access to university services during their visit and/or require a formal relationship with the university for visa purposes. This category of appointment does not normally enable participation in clinical activities. These appointments are usually for one year or less.

In cases of candidates visiting from outside Canada, an application must be made well in advance of the expected start date of the professorship (at least a few months) to prepare the necessary immigration documents. The application should be arranged prior to the candidate arriving in Canada.

Please note that while we can support a visiting professorship application, Our department cannot advise on immigration policy or procedure.

To find out more about a visiting professorship, please contact the DFCM Academic Appointments Administrator at  dfcm.facultyappt@utoronto.ca.

A Faculty Transfer Form and appropriate Academic Position Description must be initiated and submitted by the site/program via email to dfcm.facultyappt@utoronto.ca. Please meet with your new faculty member to review and initiate the appointment transfer from another site. A faculty transfer may only be completed if the rank and FTE remain exactly the same; if not, a new appointment application will need to be completed by your site. 

• Faculty Transfer Form
• Academic Position Description:
  • Clinical Adjunct or Part-Time
  • Clinical Full-Time or TAHSN site

Faculty in the DFCM only require appointment through one main Site/Program/Division under a single DFCM Chief.

However, there may be some applicants who would like to join a Secondary Division or Program given their academic involvement. For example, an individual who is appointed at their home site Baycrest may want an official secondary Palliative Care Division affiliation. In these instances, this must be supported by both Chiefs, with a letter confirming that all parties are aware of the Secondary Division/Program and that there will be open communication between the two as it pertains to the faculty member's appointment.  

Existing Faculty Joining a Secondary Division/Program

For existing DFCM faculty who already hold an appointment and would like to join a secondary Division/Program, please submit the following two documents to dfcm.facultyappt@utoronto.ca:

1. Letter of Support from both Chief/Directors
2. Updated Position Description (PD) Form to include description of academic activities in secondary division:
   1. PD form for MD adjunct or part time
   2. PD form for MD full time or fully affiliate TAHSN sites

NEW Faculty Applications (applicants who are not already appointed)

Please refer to and complete the application package for a Clinical Adjunct, Clinical Part Time, Clinical Full Time, Status Only (Non-MD), or Adjunct (non-MD) appointment listed above, with the following inclusions:

1. Primary Chief's letter that acknowledges secondary Division/Program:
   1. for clinical MD adjunct or part time
   2. for clinical MD full time
   3. for Status Only (non MD) - lecturer or assistant professor
   4. for University Adjunct Lecturer (non MD) 
2. The addition of a secondary Chief/Division Letter:
   1. for all clinical MD applicants (adjunct, part time, full time)
   2. for all non-MD applicants (status only, non MD adjunct)

Are you interested in a junior or senior promotion? Please visit the links below for more information. If you have any questions, please contact dfcm.promotion@utoronto.ca. 

• Junior Promotion
• Senor Promotion

All new faculty and junior promotion applications are reviewed by the DFCM Department Appointments Committee (DAC) which meets on a monthly basis from September - June. Once supported, Clinical Full Time promotions, status only appointments, and initial Clinical Full Time appointments at the rank of Assistant Professor or higher are also reviewed by the Faculty Appointments Advisory Committee (FAAC) before they can be approved by the Dean.