The RCPSC "Standards of Accreditation" states: "The senior residency is a period in which the resident assumes increased responsibility for professional activities in order to effect a smooth transition from trainee to independent specialist consultant."

The senior residency is characterized by increasing levels of independent decision-making on the part of the trainee within the context of the supervision and counsel of the teaching staff who maintain ultimate responsibility for the professional services provided.  In the latter portion of the senior residency the trainee should be given the opportunity to demonstrate a level of knowledge, skills, and attitudes consistent with independent consultant practice.

In order to achieve this level of responsibility, the senior resident must have direct access to (and report to) the supervising staff physician.  In instances where clinical or research fellows are part of the team, they must not be interposed between the senior resident and the supervising staff physician.

The senior resident may be responsible for the supervision of more junior trainees and students but this need not be so.  Similarly the senior resident may undertake administrative responsibilities.  However, it must be clearly understood that although these activities are important, the essence of the senior residency is the further development and refinement of decision-making skills in preparation for independent specialist practice.

The expectations for senior residents include the following:

1. The senior resident should function as a consultant.
2. On the subspecialty rotations he/she will assume greater responsibility than junior residents.
3. The senior will present difficult diagnostic and management cases at rounds. This will allow the senior to demonstrate concise and fluent presentation skills, serving as a role model for junior house staff.
4. The senior will serve in a consultant role to the junior residents when on subspecialty service and also at night and weekends when MTU senior on call.

Four PGY3 residents are chosen to be chief residents during their PGY3 year.  The role of the chief residents includes:

1. Representing the concerns of all residents at GEC
2. Meet with the program director monthly to review resident issues
3. Review CARMS files, talk about the program to the candidates on the days that they interview
4. Interview candidates (all of U of C candidates and interview on both days for external candidates)
5. Help coordinate Ski Day, Golf Day, BBQ Day, Christmas Grand Rounds
6. Oversee the organization of the resident retreat
7. Lead morning report once a week
8. Act as a spokesperson for the program when dealing with Clinical Clerks, faculty, other residents.

In January residents are asked to nominate PGY3 residents who they feel would be excellent chief residents.  Residents who accept the nomination are interviewed.  In addition all the residents in the program vote for the chief resident.  The selection of the chief resident is made by the program director taking into account the voting, the candidates academic record and the interview