You must make "reasonable efforts" when requesting time off for a Preventative Care appointment to find a colleague to cover for you because this may be a half day or a lesser increment of time that you are needing. Perhaps you need to arrive late or leave early on a given day.  We want you to have that flexibility and typically, a colleague can cover for you.  

Personal Days can be used in half or full-day increments, but nothing less. Personal days can be used to cover any personal need you may have. You are in no way obligated to share the reason.

In both cases, you must request Preventative Care or Personal Days 45 days before you plan on taking them. You must be answered whether or not the day is approved within 7 calendar days following your request. If it is denied, you have the right to request a meeting to discuss an alternative day.

Remember: Your Preventative Care and Personal Days are granted separately from your regular release days and your department cannot use either of them to deny you the release days you are guaranteed by the CBA and ACGME.

See the official contract language below:

SECTION E. PREVENTATIVE CARE AND PERSONAL DAYS

¶91 - A House Officer who has a preventive medical or dental appointment, shall receive paid time off, not exceeding eight (8) hours per year. Preventative Care time is intended to be taken in full or half day increments. However, Preventative Care time may also be taken in increments of less than a half day to accommodate a late arrival or early departure for the purpose of attending a preventative appointment. The House Officer must provide their Program Director with at least forty-five (45) days advance notice of the need to take Preventative Care time, on a form provided by the Employer. The Program will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate the requested date, but approval is subject to operational and patient care needs. Within seven (7) calendar days of receiving the properly submitted request, the Program Director or their designee will either confirm or deny the requested date. If the requested date cannot be accommodated, the Program Director, or their designee, and the House Officer will meet upon request of either party to discuss and agree on an alternative. Upon request, the House Officer will make reasonable efforts to assist the program in securing coverage for any assigned duties. Final approval of the requested date is at the discretion of the Program Director.

¶92 - In addition, a House Officer shall receive one (1) Personal Day per program year, which may be used for any personal need, including medical, dental, or mental health appointments. Personal Days may be used in full or half day increments, but nothing less. The House Officer must give their Program Director at least forty-five (45) days advance notice of the need to take a Personal Day, on a form provided by the Employer. The Program will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate the requested date, but approval is subject to operational and patient care needs. Within seven (7) calendar days of receiving the properly submitted request, the Program Director or their designee will either confirm or deny the requested date. If the requested date cannot be accommodated, the Program Director, or their designee, and the House Officer will meet upon request of either party to discuss and agree on an alternative. Upon request, the House Officer will make reasonable efforts to assist the program in securing coverage for any assigned duties. Final approval of the requested date is at the discretion of the Program Director.

¶93 - Unused Preventative Care and Personal Days shall not be carried over from program year to program year and shall not be available to use to offset deficits in training due to leaves of absence or other reasons.

¶94 - Personal and Preventative Care Days are to be granted separately from the House Officer's regular release days. A House Officer with a part-time appointment, either by FTE effort or employment within the program year, will be entitled to Preventative Care and Personal Days in direct proportion to their appointment.