Learner Categories
Successful learner applicants will join one of the two clusters each September, and need to live in the Vancouver area. Each position is for a one-year period*, with the possibility of renewal. Three types of positions are available:
*N.B. For the academic year 2008-2009, the tenure will be from September 2008 - April 2009.
| Category | Definition | Funding Categories |
| Graduate Student | Full-time Master's, MD, or PhD student accepted in an PCHR commitment: 10 hours per week on cluster | - None - Other Funding -PCHR funding per year: Master's $18,000 PhD, MD $21,000 plus $1,000 research grant |
| Postdoctoral | Those who have completed a PhD in the last 3 years or an MD in the last 10 years (but career interruptions PCHR commitment: Generally 2 days per week with one cluster, 2 days per week with another cluster, 1 day per week on personal research. This is a guideline only and may be negotiated with cluster co-convenors and primary mentors. | - None - Other Funding - PCHR funding per with year benefits: PhD or Health Professional (less than 2 years post-grad experience) $40,000 plus $5,000 research grant Health Professional (2 or more years post-grad experience working as a health professional) $50,000 plus $5,000 research grant |
| Community | Full-time employee (minimum 0.8 FTE with no more than 2 employers) involved with community health, and with employer permission to spend one day (7.0 or 7.5 hrs) per week with PCHR. PCHR commitment: one day per week on cluster project and cross-cluster events. | - None - Other Funding - PCHR funding: PCHR reimbursement to employer for one day (7.0 or 7.5 hrs) per week of their time at their current rate of pay (not including benefits), up to a maximum of $38.50 per hour. |
*Please note that although there may be some overlap with individual theses and course work, theses and course work are entirely independent of the time commitment to PCHR.
*A fourth category of learner is also possible; that of an unpaid learner.
Unpaid Learners
The term unpaid learner refers to all learners taking part in the program who are not paid directly from the PCHR training grant. It includes individuals who receive no payment from any source and those who are supported by fellowships, awards or sources outside of the PCHR Training Grant. This section also addresses the inquiries we receive from those who would like to just visit occasionally.
While we welcome and appreciate the enthusiasm of learners who want to visit cluster meetings, or only wish to make a partial commitment to our program, we are currently unable to accommodate all of them. The success of our program depends upon the requirement that “everyone in the row boat needs to be rowing.” As one of our mentors said recently “otherwise, the PCHR program ends up with lots of people who want the connections and want to come to meetings, but are not willing to contribute to the ongoing cluster work in meaningful ways.”
Therefore, we have developed the following policies regarding unpaid learners.
Policies
- Only cluster members and program mentors can attend cluster meetings and program activities, without prior arrangements with one of the cluster co-conveners.
- Visiting mentors who attend more than a couple of cluster meetings must meet with one of the program directors.
- Visiting learners who attend more than a couple of cluster meetings must submit a completed application package to the program manager. Learners wishing to become an unpaid cluster member are asked to follow our standard application process (check no to the question about whether you would like to be considered for PCHR funding).
- Only a few unpaid learners can be members of each cluster. The maximum number of unpaid learners is determined in consultation with each cluster and the Steering Council.
- All unpaid learners are required to make a minimum commitment to a cluster for five hours per week.
