A Program Administrator, or "PA", refers to an individual whose role it is to support the formal administration required for an accredited Residency or Area of Focused Competence (AFC) program to meet its educational requirements. These positions may be uniquely titled depending on the structure of the program’s department under which it falls (e.g. Program Administrator, Administrative Assistant, Program Coordinator, CBD Coordinator, Site Coordinator, etc.). 

PAs are integral to the residency/AFC program and its ability to function effectively. PAs have a challenging and complex role that differs greatly from most administrative positions on campus.

PAs must have competencies in standard administrative areas (e.g. recruitment, event planning, meeting coordination) but must also be familiar with the Standards of Accreditation (and related processes), educational models (and their accompanying curricula, evaluations, and objectives), and PGME policies and procedures. Their roles additionally have a significant communications component that includes interpersonal relationship building, conflict management, and stakeholder interactions.

PAAC

The Program Administrators Advisory Committee (PAAC) is a PGME committee whose purpose is to facilitate governance and oversight of program administrative support to residency programs and to support the Office of Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME) and the Education Team Lead in planning, organizing, and evaluating all aspects of program administrative support. 

PAAC has an active hand in PA professional development, policy reviews, the continuous quality improvement of PGME and program areas, and more. They discuss and address PA concerns brought to them by the PAs of programs for whom they represent.

Read the Terms of Reference.

PA Policies & Guidelines

The overarching policy that governs Residency and AFC Program Administrators is the PA Policy. Other key policies and procedures that relate specifically to PAs include:

PA Toolkit

The PGME Program Administrator Toolkit, while still a work in progress, is dedicated to providing generalized information that is applicable to most (if not all) PAs.

Take Note

In accordance with the General Standards of Accreditation, PGME launched Take Note: A report for the PGME PA Community in the Fall of 2022 to ensure ongoing communication with our PA stakeholders. Our goal is to both provide support to PAs in their roles and ensure they are kept in the loop with the latest information, news, reminders, deadlines, tips, and more. If you aren't receiving these and believe you should be, please contact pg.edrah@ualberta.ca.

Administrative Templates & Forms

To make access to templates & forms easy for you, we've sorted them into easy categories for you to access. 

Please note that CCID login is required to access the administrative templates and forms.

Other Resources: Quick Links

PA Awards
To recognize a residency PA who has developed an innovative method, technology, system, or process to improve on current practices; made innovative improvements to an existing technology, system, or process; or created an innovative solution to a problem. This award is given in recognition of a specific innovation or project. 
 

To recognize a residency PA who exemplifies outstanding administrative leadership through the creation of a collegial and balanced work environment.

PA Doris Kurtz Career Achievement Award
In honor of Doris Kurtz, who has strived throughout her career to advance the scope, recognition, and professional development of Program Administrators, this award is to recognize a residency PA with ten (10) or more years of service.

The submission deadline for the 2025 PA Award Nominations is March 30, 2025. Nominations can be submitted to pgtmld@ualberta.ca.