Electrophysiology Fellowship Program

Duration: 1-2 year Fellowship

Site: Royal Jubilee Hospital and Pulse Complete Cardiac Care – Victoria, British Columbia

Program Directors: Dr. Michel Thibert and Dr. Martin van Zyl

Preceptors: Dr. Richard Leather, Dr. Paul Novak, Dr. Markus Sikkel, Dr. Laurence Sterns

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As a part of the University of British Columbia Cardiac Electrophysiology Program, we are proud to offer a two year Cardiac Electrophysiology Fellowship training and experience through the Royal Jubilee Hospital, our affiliated office (Pulse Complete Cardiac Care), and our links with the University of BC and the University of Victoria. Applicants with previous electrophysiology training may apply for a one-year Fellowship.

Our physicians have trained EP Fellows from around the world since 1996. Please see the Past EP Fellows list below for details. Currently, our Electrophysiologists are Dr Richard Leather (Adult Heart Rhythm Specialist with the BC Inherited Arrhythmias Program), Dr Paul Novak, Dr Markus Sikkel (head of Cardiac Research at the Royal Jubilee Hospital), Dr Laurence Sterns (Past President of the Canadian Heart Rhythm Society), Dr. Michael Thibert (Co-Director of the BC Electrophysiology program) and Dr. Martin van Zyl (Co-Director of the BC Electrophysiology program).

Upon completion of the training, the fellow will be proficient in assessing and managing simple and complex arrhythmias including SVT, atrial fibrillation, typical and atypical flutter, and ventricular tachycardia. Fellows will gain competence in implanting simple and complex devices including basic pacemakers, conduction system pacing, ICDs, and biventricular devices. Exposure will be given to subcutaneous ICDs (S-ICD), leadless pacemakers, and left atrial appendage occlusion. Fellows will gain competence in catheter ablation using radiographic guidance +/- 3D electroanatomic mapping for AV node ablation, SVT ablation and typical atrial flutter. By the end of their fellowship, they will be competent in complex ablation including atrial fibrillation ablation using RF and cryoablation energies, atypical atrial flutter ablation, PVC ablation and VT ablation including with ICE guidance. There will be exposure to ethanol ablation of the vein of Marshall and ventricular regions that are difficult to access with conventional techniques as well as epicardial RF ablation..

In addition, EP Fellows participate in clinical research, hospital clinical and educational rounds, provincial EP journal club sessions, cardiogenetic clinics with Dr Richard Leather, and cardiology research conferences such as the Canadian Cardiovascular Conference, Heart Rhythm, and American Heart Association Scientific Sessions.

Ojectives:

• By the end of the fellowship, the fellow will be expected to have gained the knowledge and skill to function as an independent consultant electrophysiologist.
• Fellows will have procedure volumes to be independent in basic pacing, conduction system pacing, defibrillator implants, and biventricular device implants. Fellows will have the opportunity to gain volumes to be independent in S-ICD and leadless pacemaker implants. Exposure also given to complex pacing skills including venoplasty and snaring.
• Fellows will have procedure volumes to be independent in SVT ablation, typical atrial flutter ablation, atrial fibrillation ablation using RF and cryoablation, complex PVC ablation, and endocardial VT ablation.
• Present complex device and ablation cases at weekly teaching rounds.
• One presentation at a national meeting and one manuscript will be the minimum research requirement.

Clinical:

• 12 to 24 months of clinical electrophysiology depending on the fellowship duration.
• Diverse experience including inpatient and outpatient consultations in addition to procedure time.

Research:

• Opportunities for a clinical research project will be selected by each fellow with the guidance of the Program Directors and Fellowship Preceptors.
• Presentation at 1 national research conference is required, funding for presentation is available through the program and the Canadian Heart Rhythm Society.

Minimum Requirements for EP Fellowship Application:

1. Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV)
2. Minimum of 3 signed and dated letters of reference.
3. Medical degree.
4. Specialty Training certification in Cardiology (equivalent to the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons; examples include the Certification of Specialist Training or CCST in the UK, and American Board Certification in the USA).
5. Proficiency in English, as demonstrated through completion of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or through interview.
6. Successful applicants will be required to register with the Canadian Heart Rhythm Society as Members-in-Training at no charge.

Application Process:

APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED UNTIL SUMMER 2025. Interested applicants are asked to inquire via the Contact Us page. 

More information can be found on the University of British Columbia’s Subspecialty Fellowship Programs website.