IMPORTANT: Trainees are required to be fit-tested for N95 Respirators before their rotation/elective in Puvirnituq.
Location
Puvirnituq (PUV) is an Inuit community on the Povungnituk River near its mouth (north-west corner) on the Hudson Bay. The only access to the community is by air. The teaching site is part of the Inuulitsivik Health Centre.
capacity
2 trainees (resident or student) per period
Length of Rotation
1 month
Language
Spoken: French with staff and English with patients
Charting: French, and/or English
Clinical Exposure and Learning Experiences
Rotation primarily done in Hospital.
Trainees can be exposed to:
ER
Home care/visits
Intensive Care
Long Term Care Facility
Minor Procedures
On-Call
Visits to other villages (on occasion)
Teaching Activities
Walk-in Clinic
Ward and Patient Services
Other clinical exposures: Psychiatry, Pediatrics
► The trainees assigned supervisor may change during the course of their rotation.
Other Interesting Information
Hospital provides primary healthcare services. It serves seven villages in the Hudson Bay.
1450 Admissions/year
The patient population is of about 7500 Inuit spread over 7 coastal villages.
Lodging is provided by the establishment and is located at a short walking distance from the hospital.
Trainees are lodged in a "Shared Apartment". Trainees have a private room and share common gender-neutral areas (bathroom, kitchen, living room).
Food choices are very limited and expensive in Puvirnituq, do not hesitate to bring along certain food items in your luggage.
► It is important that everyone does their share to keep all common areas clean and safe at any time.
Trainees are expected to clean their apartment at the end of their rotation as it should be left clean for the next trainee.
Accommodation Commodities
All accommodations are non-smoking environments.
Equipment
Details
Full kitchen:
Full equipped kitchen
Television set, cable:
Provided
Washer and dryer:
Provided + an iron.
Internet Access:
Available (wireless): bring your laptop.
Telephone:
Long distance calls forbidden
Linens:
Supplied
Visitors:
Not allowed
Pets:
Not allowed
Deposit for keys:
None
Other Amenities:
Fitness Center, skating (winter)
Transportation
Trainees will travel to the site by air. As the flight is reserved and paid for by the site, trainees will not receive any stipend for transportation.
Trainees are allowed one flight in and one flight out per period of 4 weeks.
Trainees are expected to present themselves at the hospital on Monday morning at 9am (at the hospital department entrance).
Traveling by Plane
The flight arrangements are made in advance by the site coordinator. An email confirming transportation is usually sent 2 weeks prior to the departure date. If you haven’t received it, contact the site coordinator.
Departure is from Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport. You pick up your ticket on the day of travel from the Air Inuit counter. You should confirm your flight 24 hours prior to the departure with Air Inuit as flights can be delayed due to weather constraints.
The flight leaves on the Sunday prior to the first day of the rotation and the return flight is the last Friday afternoon of your rotation. It is recommended that you arrive at least 90 minutes in advance.
Checked luggage is restricted to 30 kg. You may bring your laptop and have an additional 5kg allowance to bring on board. Extra fees may be charged for exceeding this limit.
It is recommended that you bring snacks on board as usually a light meal is served. Foresee bringing along a meal for supper and breakfast for the following day. Grocery stores are usually closed on Sundays.
Depending on the type of plane, it makes multiple stops before reaching Puvirnituq. Passengers may get off and on the plane at some of the stops.
Once at the destination, make sure that the luggage is unloaded.
There will be a van-taxi waiting to bring you to the apartment which is approximately a 5-minute drive. Even though the driver has your name, we recommend having a proactive approach and asking questions at the counter or using the white telephone.
For any other questions about your flight, you can contact Air Inuit or call at 1-800-361-5933.
Ensure to always have on hand the list of telephone numbers provided in the Trainee Guide.
In the event of bad weather and your flight is rerouted to a neighboring village, contact the doctor on call in Puvirnituq by dialing (819) 988-2053. You will be given instructions, no need to worry as this happens frequently in the great North.
