We are looking for a permanent family practice physician. We are a group of 7 physicians working in a fun and functional clinic with a highly skilled RN, social worker and physio. We all have diverse interests and encourage physicians to develop a practice that both does high quality longitudinal care and allows for development of specialty interests. We have a local emergency room which is open 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm and many, but not all of our docs work shifts here. Other physicians work in long term care or are part of a team doing Hospitalist, OB or Pediatric care in our regional hospital 25 minutes away. Doctors from nearby communities support our ER when we need coverage. Trauma and after-hour emergency visits go directly to the regional hospital in nearby Trail. If you prefer to do straight clinic care that is great as well.
Within our clinic, we have the PCN (Primary Care Network) to support us; this includes a full-time Social Worker, a full time RN, and a 0.8 Physio, and together we provide a strong team-based care approach. The clinics are fully EMR supported (Profile) with wonderful admin staff, including a strong biller who catches us when we are undervaluing our work. Peer support and camaraderie makes us a very functional team and it is often repeated as one of the main reasons we stay and continue to enjoy practicing in Castlegar.
For those that enjoy teaching, nearby Trail is a UBC teaching center so we also enjoy the opportunity to teach medical students and to preceptor family practice residents. We appreciate the many opportunities we have and that they are choices and not pressures or obligations.
We pride ourselves on good patient care, but also on our ability to strongly support flexible MD schedules. Most of the MDs drawn to this area love the outdoors and/or want a lovely place to raise their families. To this end most MDs take 8 weeks of vacation per year and work an average of 4 days a week for an estimated $350,000 - $400,000 gross income (including some, but not all, rural incentives). For those that wish to, this means there is still potential to earn more if you choose!
With a vibrant arts and culture town just 40 minutes to the east and our regional medical hospital to the south, we are well placed to be inspired both in life and work. Surrounded by world class skiing at both Red Mountain and Whitewater ski resorts, Castlegar itself boasts of hiking and mountain bike trails, parks, and rivers right out your back door, as well as open spaces for good gardening and small town warmth. We have an appreciative patient population and a great place to call home. If you must leave, we have a regional airport, and are 2.5 hours from a major US city with an international airport, but most of the time you won't find a need.
Apply now! Come live and work where others only vacation!
COMMUNITY
Castlegar is located at the confluence of two great rivers – the Kootenay and the Columbia – which come together to form a fertile valley with a rich cultural heritage and a thriving artistic scene. This convergence results in a lifestyle that physicians in particular love: flexible practice options, access to the outdoors and a great place to raise your family. All reasons why Castlegar is becoming one of the most desirable places to live in the Kootenays.
‘Go with the flow' has a whole new meaning here, in the place where rivers shape both landscape and lifestyle. We have what you might call a streamlined approach to both work and life. No-nonsense. Level-headed. Sure, we can access full-on adventures in nearby Nelson and Rossland whenever we want, but sometimes we like our adventures on the quieter side.
From Castlegar, it’s a quick drive to three alpine ski hills nearby, at Red Mountain, Whitewater or Salmo. The epic mountain bike trails in Rossland and Nelson are only thirty minutes away. But you’ll soon find plenty to keep you engaged right here.
Enjoy strolls along the riverbanks, or high alpine treks on dozens of well-maintained hikes. Rock climbers – sport climbers, trad climbers and boulderers – have been coming here since the 1950s and as a result, the climbing community is well established. There are 70 rock climbs within city limits, 70 kilometers of snowmobiling trails in nearby Pass Creek, and 45 kilometers of packed and tracked trails for all levels at the nearby Paulson Cross Country Ski Trails.
Apply now! Come live where others only vacation!
Compensation Type
Alternative Payment Arrangement
Estimated Remuneration
$ 350,000 - $400,000 Estimate based on 4 days/week and 8 weeks vacation, although increased if electing to work f/t.
Physician Overhead
Please enquire
Vacation Leave
Negotiable; typically up to 8 weeks a year
May be eligible for additional remuneration in accordance with the Rural Subsidiary Agreement (RSA) including:
Retention Premium
11.90%
Retention Flat Fee
$18,442
Relocation Funding Available
$9,000-15,000
Recruitment Incentive
$15,000 - pro-rated if not full time
Other Benefits/Incentives
Rural Continuing Medical Education (RCME): $440. for 2 years or less; $2,640 for 3 - 4 years; $4,840 for 4+ years Rural Incentives are subject to change annually. Current rates confirmed at time of offer. Candidates with a BC or Canada student loan may be eligible for BC or Canada loan forgiveness programs.
