The HOA and the Employer recognize that due to leaves, as addressed in Articles XIV and XV, delays or interruptions may arise during training such that the required training cannot be completed within the required total training time established for each training program and that the requirements vary between training programs. In such circumstances, if the trainee's Program Director and Clinical Competency Committee attest that the trainee has achieved required competence, the Program Director may seek on the resident's behalf, a reduction-in-training, to the extent allowed by the individual's national certifying Board.

Separately negotiated benefits contained within the collective bargaining agreement such as paid vacation during an appointment year may be used to off-set deficits in training due to leave time as defined in Article XIV and Article XV, to the extent allowed by the individual's national certifying Board and following the processes and procedures identified by the Employer. Reductions in training are not assured or guaranteed and are always subject to the applicable national certifying Board's approval, upon request of the Program Director in his or her sole discretion. In no case may the Program Director be compelled to make the request of the national certifying Board. The request is made solely on the assessment of readiness for independent practice. The Program Director's determination regarding reductions-in-training are not subject to the grievance and arbitration proceedings of the Parties' Collective Bargaining Agreement.

This language is applicable only to deficits in training time that result from leaves. It does not apply to deficits that may result from other actions, such as extensions due to remediation or probation.