Table 2

Roles and key tasks for education services in an academic division of general surgery

Role; level	Key tasks
Program director	Oversee residency program, Canadian Resident Matching Service process, curriculum development, assessment and promotion Maintain RCPSC accreditation Set tone for the culture of the training program
Macro	Secure/maintain RCPSC accreditation
Meso	Chair residency program committee Coordinate all aspects of Canadian Resident Matching Service process Develop curriculum/educational content Facilitate residency research curriculum Liaise between university and residents Liaise between residency program committee and division Provide or delegate planning of academics (e.g., specific teaching sessions) Set the culture of the program (e.g., help to organize annual research day, social events, graduation)
Micro	Assign residents to clinical services/rotations, including scheduling residents Confirm residents’ successful completion of program and recommend residents to RCPSC to sit their examinations Guide residents through study and preparation plan for national examinations (e.g., Surgical Foundations Examination) Promote or remediate residents following evaluations Provide mentorship and career advice Provide oversight of assessments/evaluation of residents Provide oversight of resident clinical or nonclinical leave (e.g., academic, vacation) in compliance with union Supervise or work closely with Competence by Design lead/Surgical Foundations Program director Support resident well-being (initial contact to residents who are struggling personally or professionally) Work with section coordinator for resident education on items related to education
Associate/assistant program director^*	Support program director Be available to residents as an intermediate to help with issues Be involved in succession planning for next program director
Meso	Substitute for program director when necessary (e.g., when he or she is away) Support program director with any specific delegated tasks
Micro	Act as intermediary if a resident is having issues Maintain regular communication with residents and obtain ongoing feedback with regard to the quality of the program
Competence by Design lead^†	Implement delivery of Competence by Design and resident evaluation system
Meso	Chair/participate on competency committee Oversee implementation of Competence by Design
Micro	Evaluate residents on entrustable professional activities Review resident evaluations and provide resident status recommendations to program director
Section coordinator for resident education^‡	Oversee expectations and evaluations of residents within a section
Meso	Define goals, objectives and expectations for residents within a clinical rotation Represent section on residency training committee
Micro	Act as contact for residents during rotation Assign residents to surgical staff Ensure timely evaluations Integrate residents into service schedule (e.g., operating room, clinics) Provide feedback to residents Provide orientation to residents
Undergraduate medical lead^§	Lead curriculum development and evaluations for medical students
Meso	Develop curriculum, including development of goals and objectives for clerkship rotation Liaise with division/department to integrate surgical component Sit on undergraduate medical education committee
Micro	Coordinate student evaluations/assessments Provide orientation for students
Fellowship program director(s)	Maintain accreditation and help foster career development of fellows
Macro	Secure/maintain accreditation of program (e.g., RCPSC, Fellowship Council)
Meso	Coordinate all aspects of fellowship selection process Coordinate education of fellows with education of residents Develop curriculum/educational content Facilitate a fellowship research curriculum in the program Liaise between university and fellows Liaise between residency program committee and division Provide or delegate planning of academics (e.g., specific teaching sessions) Set the culture of the program (e.g., help organize annual research day, social events, graduation)
Micro	Confirm fellows’ successful completion of program and eligibility for certification examinations (as relevant) Promote or remediate fellows following evaluations Provide mentorship and career advice to fellows Provide oversight of assessments/evaluation of residents Provide oversight of fellows’ clinical or nonclinical leave (e.g., academic, vacation) in compliance with union Support fellows’ well-being (e.g., initial contact with fellows who are struggling personally or professionally) Work with section resident rotation coordinator on items related to education

RCPSC = Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
↵* This role is greatly dependent on the size of program, value to residents and distribution of learning.
↵† This role will continue to evolve as Competence by Design continues to be implemented.
↵‡ Also known as clinical teaching unit director.
↵§ Division may have representation only at the departmental level.