Maintenance of Clinical Readiness Program
The Maintenance of Clinical Readiness Program (MCRP) helps Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) clinicians maintain and strengthen the clinical skills required to provide safe, effective, and operationally relevant care. Through training and learning opportunities in civilian healthcare settings across Canada, the program supports clinicians in sustaining competencies, gaining exposure to diverse patient populations and clinical environments, and remaining prepared to deliver care wherever operations require it.
Who is eligible?
Clinical maintenance requirements apply to designated CAF clinical personnel. Required maintenance hours vary by occupation and professional requirements. Members should consult their chain of command or MCRP coordinator for details specific to their role.
Program benefits
Clinical maintenance is more than an administrative requirement; it is a key component of operational readiness, ensuring clinicians remain current, confident, and capable of responding to evolving healthcare requirements in Canada and abroad. Whether supporting domestic response operations, deployed missions, or care in remote and harsh or difficult environments, clinicians must be prepared to apply their skills when they are needed most.
How to apply
The MCRP supports clinicians in meeting these requirements by helping them identify and coordinate suitable placements, navigate administrative processes, and access available supports that make clinical maintenance more attainable within the demands of military service.
To connect with your MCRP coordinator and apply please email: mcrp-pmpc@forces.gc.ca. Those working within medical units can also reach out to their local Operations and Training (Ops & Trg) cell.
Frequently asked questions
I already work in healthcare. Why do I still need clinical maintenance?
Your military role may not provide regular exposure to all the clinical situations, patient populations, or acuity levels you could encounter during operations. Clinical maintenance helps sustain operationally relevant competencies and readiness.
How does clinical maintenance support operational readiness?
Operations can require clinicians to provide care in unfamiliar, complex, or resource-limited environments. Clinical maintenance helps ensure members are prepared to meet these demands with confidence and competence.
What can I gain from a clinical maintenance placement?
Placements provide opportunities to maintain competencies, gain exposure to different patient populations and clinical settings, learn from civilian healthcare partners, and broaden professional experience.
I don't think I have time. How can I fit clinical maintenance into my schedule?
Planning activities throughout the year can make clinical maintenance more manageable. Your supervisor and MCRP coordinator can help identify opportunities that align with your schedule, professional requirements, and readiness needs.
I don't know where to complete my hours. Can someone help?
Yes. Your MCRP coordinator can help you understand requirements, identify placement opportunities, navigate administrative processes, and connect you with available resources and support.
To connect with your MCRP coordinator and apply please email: mcrp-pmpc@forces.gc.ca. Those working within medical units can also reach out to their local Operations and Training (Ops & Trg) cell.
What support and funding are available to help me complete my clinical maintenance?
Depending on the placement and available funding, MCRP may be able to help reduce barriers associated with completing clinical maintenance activities, including certain placement-related expenses. Contact your coordinator to learn what support may be available.
What happens if I don't complete my clinical maintenance requirements?
Failure to complete required clinical maintenance activities may affect your clinical readiness status and your ability to support operational tasks that depend on current clinical competencies. Maintaining readiness is a professional responsibility shared by clinicians, leaders, and the organization.
What kinds of real-world experiences can MCRP provide?
MCRP placements provide opportunities to work alongside civilian healthcare professionals in a variety of clinical settings, exposing CAF clinicians to patient populations, conditions, and environments they may not routinely encounter in their military roles. These experiences help clinicians maintain and strengthen operationally relevant skills while broadening their professional perspectives.
For example, during an MCRP placement at Whitehorse General Hospital, a CAF clinician gained experience treating cases unique to northern Canada, including frostbite, trauma, and other conditions requiring adaptability and sound clinical judgment in a resource-limited environment. They also gained valuable insight into the social factors that can influence health outcomes. Experiences like these help clinicians remain prepared to deliver care wherever military service may take them.