Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Policy on Professional Development and Travel

Summary

This Policy provides Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R)-specific guidelines for obtaining professional development leave and funds.

Body

Unit Policy

Title

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Policy on Professional Development and Travel

Introduction

Purpose

This Policy provides Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R)-specific guidelines for obtaining professional development leave and funds.

Scope

Part-time and full-time faculty/staff that hold a primary appointment in PM&R. Eligibility is also based on job class of the employee (Physicians, APP, etc.).

Policy

Policy Statement

Funding and leave for professional development are allocated annually for eligible faculty and staff as described in this policy. Specific types of professional development are included in the policy. Faculty and staff are encouraged to check with the PM&R Chair and Administrative Office to review opportunities and requests prior to submittal. Steps and procedure for requests and submittals are provided in the PM&R Procedure for Professional Development and Travel.

Allocation of Funding:

Each eligible faculty and staff member receives a specified amount of time and funds for the fiscal year (July-June), which is set annually during the budget planning period. The amount of funds/leave will be prorated based on FTE. Faculty and staff will be notified of any changes and/or approved amounts at the start of the new fiscal year.

  • If the professional development request is not approved in advance and/or defined per the criteria below, the costs are the responsibility of the individual and the time is charged to vacation leave.
  • If the professional development request exceeds the individual’s allotment, the individual must pay the excess cost and the leave charged to vacation.

Professional Development Includes:

  1. Activities that promote the improvement or maintenance of knowledge and skills needed in the workplace. Such activities include continuing professional related conferences, courses, materials, meetings, dues, and fees.
  2. Scholarly activities such as presenting a paper, abstract or poster
  3. Memberships in professional groups and societies, board certification training and examinations.
  4. Formal conferences and meetings in which the School of Medicine or Hospital maintains an active area of interest.
  5. Training and development to improve job/professional/leadership skills and may also include training required to maintain professional certification.
  6. Official University or Hospital travel which may include travel that is not defined above but may be required to carry out job functions and which has been approved in advance by the PM&R Chair.
  7. Other requests relative to professional development not defined above must be submitted in advance to the PM&R Chair/ACA for approval.

Related Requirements

External Regulations

Unit Policies, Standards, and Procedures

Contact Information

Primary Contact

Name: Joshua J. Alexander, MD, FAAP, FAAPMR - Chair, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Telephone: (984) 974-9747

Email: Joshua_Alexander@med.unc.edu

Other Contacts

Name: Aaron Olsen, MBA - Associate Chair for Administration

Telephone: (984) 974-0298

Email: Aaron_Olsen@med.unc.edu

Details

Details

Article ID: 159809
Created
Fri 1/2/26 9:56 AM
Modified
Fri 1/2/26 9:56 AM
Responsible Unit
School, Department, or other organizational unit issuing this document.
School of Medicine - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Issuing Officer
Name of the document Issuing Officer. This is the individual whose organizational authority covers the policy scope and who is primarily responsible for the policy.
Issuing Officer Title
Title of the person who is primarily responsible for issuing this policy.
Associate Chair for Administration
Next Review
Date on which the next document review is due.
12/10/2026 12:00 AM
Last Review
Date on which the most recent document review was completed.
12/10/2025 12:00 AM
Last Revised
Date on which the most recent changes to this document were approved.
12/10/2025 12:00 AM
Effective Date
If the date on which this document became/becomes enforceable differs from the Origination or Last Revision, this attribute reflects the date on which it is/was enforcable.
12/10/2025 12:00 AM
Origination
Date on which the original version of this document was first made official.
12/10/2025 12:00 AM