HKU Health System
Hospital Authority - The University of Hong Kong (HA - HKU) Dual-Track Appointment Scheme


Background

The HA-HKU Dual-Track Appointment Scheme was introduced in March 2025 to creating synergy in securing adequate manpower to provide medical education for the increasing number of medical students, to strengthen public hospital manpower, and to foster academic talents in research and innovation. It also enhances the coordination between HA and HKU to provide support for medical education in clinical settings at HA hospitals.

The scheme allows HA medical staff with interests in pursuing a career in academic setting a taste of the life as a clinical researcher while retaining employment with HA. A time-limited flexible appointment option will be offered for HA doctors to engage in academic work to suit their personal or career aspirations with a view to helping them determine their long-term career path.

Following completion of the term, the dual track appointees may extend their dual track appointments (subject to the agreement of HA and HKU), resume their full-time work in HA, or pursue long-term employment as staff in HKU afterwards when opportunity arises. 

Main featres

  • HA will remain as the sole employer of the dual track appointees. All dual track appointees will continue to be remunerated on HA’s prevailing standard employment terms
  • HKU will appoint the dual track appointees the title of “Adjunct Clinical Professoriate” and offer them the privileges of a clinical academic including professional leaves, access to library/electronic resources, research grants and start-ups, and other professional research supports
  • All dual track appointees will be allowed to work partially in HA and partially in HKU concurrently, subject to a minimum of 30% working time in either HA or the respective medical school HKU during the dual track appointment term.
  • The Initial term of a dual track appointment is 1 to 3 years, with the possibility of extension by mutual consent.

Strategic Impact

  • Educational Contribution: Support the training of HKU’s expanding medical student cohort, bolstering the future of healthcare in Hong Kong.
  • Research Leadership: Engage in innovative research and knowledge exchange, with potential to influence clinical practices and academic outputs.
  • Programme Development: Participate in a pilot initiative that shapes the integration of clinical and academic roles, contributing to its evolution.

Roles and Responsibilities

The dual-track appointees will assume responsibilities across two complementary domains:

 

Clinical

  • Location: teaching hospitals of HA
  • Duties: Deliver clinical services and support specialist training, reporting to the respective Chief-of-Service at HA.

 

Academic
  • Location: LKS Faculty of Medicine and affiliated facilities
  • Duties: Engage in teaching, research, and knowledge exchange activities, reporting to the respective Chairpersons of clinical departments at HKU. The scope includes delivering lectures, conducting clinical tutorials, leading research projects, and participating in professional engagements such as conferences.

Eligibility Requirements

The scheme is open to candidates serving full-time HA specialist doctors at Resident Specialist, Associate Consultant, or higher ranks, on permanent or contract terms.

HKU’s Academic title to confer

HKU will confer adjunct clinical professoriate titles to dual-track appointees. These titles will be awarded at the ranks of Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor, Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor, or Adjunct Clinical Professor, depending on the appointees' qualifications and professional backgrounds.

Application Procedures

  • Nomination Process during Pilot Phase (tentatively until August 2025): Please consult your HA/COS or the Chairpersons of the relevant clinical department at HKU for the expedited review process.
  • Nomination Process after the Pilot Phase: HA’s 1st official call for nominations expected to begin in September 2025 and continue biannually thereafter.
  • Application for dual track appointment: the nominated staff should complete the HA’s “Application Form for Dual Track Appointment” and submit the same to their respective COS/CCE/HCE for endorsement
  • Nomination for adjunct clinical professoriate: the Chairpersons of the relevant clinical department at HKU should submit the “Nomination Form for Appointments of Adjunct Clinical Professoriates under Dual Track Appointment” and submit the same to the Dean via HKU Health System for endorsement

Q: How will my HA employment terms be altered?

A: Arrangements concerning your dual track appointment will be outlined in a supplementary letter annexed to your HA’s employment contract.

 

Q: How will my clinical workload at HA be adjusted?

A: Your clinical workload at HA will be reduced proportionally to accommodate your academic work at HKU (minimum 30%). The exact schedule is agreed upon by HA, HKU, and yourself to ensure service continuity.

 

Q: How does the scheme affect my HA’s leave entitlements?

A: Your HA leave entitlements remain intact. Leave applications are processed through HA’s system, with prior agreement from your HKU’s supervisor if the leave impacts your HKU’s working schedule

 

Q: Is an extension of the dual track appointment term possible?

A: Yes, subject to agreement between HA, HKU, and yourself, based on performance and operational needs.

 

Q: How is my performance assessed?

A: HA’s SDR reviewing manager will consult your supervisor at HKU before making the assessment so that your performance in both HA and HKU during the period of dual track appointment can be duly reflected in the SDR.

 

Q: I am currently working at a non-teaching hospitals of HA, am I eligible to apply for the scheme?

A: All dual track appointees will be assigned to work at one of HA’s teaching hospitals during their working time at HA. If you are currently working at a non-teaching hospitals of HA and interested in applying for the dual track appointment scheme, please discuss the possibility of an internal transfer to a teaching hospital with the relevant HA/COSs or contact our respective department chairpersons listed here https://www.sclinmed.hku.hk/en/About-Us/Leadership.

 

Q: I am an non-locally trained doctor practicing medicine outside of Hong Kong, am I eligible to apply for the scheme?

A: Please visit the website of HA Global Healthcare Professional Recruitment Centre to learn more about the different pathways for non-locally trained doctors to join HA.

 

Q: What kind of medical malpractice insurance policy at HA and HKU will cover my clinical duties?

A: You will be covered by HA’s medical malpractice insurance policy and disciplinary protection insurance policy for the clinical duties performed at HA’s teaching hospitals. If you are required to perform clinical duties at non-HA private hospitals, you will be covered by HKU’s medical malpractice insurance policy providing that you have subscribed to MPS membership at public/university’s rate.

 

Q: What happens if I wish to leave the scheme early?
A: Early termination is possible by providing two months’ written notice to HA, or by mutual agreement between HA, HKU, and yourself.

 

Q: Can I apply for research grants whilst on the scheme?
A: Yes, you may apply for internal and external research grants either as a HA’s full-time staff or as a HKU’s adjunct clinical professoriate, subject to the eligibility criteria of the research grants.

 

Q: Can I perform outside work during HKU’s working time?

A: All dual track appointees will be subject to the prevailing outside work policy of HA. All outside work applications of the Appointees (including those outside work to be undertaken during HKU’s working time) will be approved by HA.

 

Q: Are there opportunities for promotion within the scheme?
A: Your career advancement at HA will follow HA’s prevailing policies and procedures. Your adjunct clinical professoriate title at HKU may be adjusted from time to time based on your professional achievements.