Are you a Resident, New to the Valley, or thinking about a change in practice, diversifying care?

We can help find your best fit!

Explore opportunities at Comox Valley Hospital:

Family physicians are instrumental to the provision of services at the Comox Valley Hospital (CVH). CVH is a 153-bed community acute care hospital that serves a population base of approximately 70,000 people. The CVH has a Hospitalist program, and Assigned Inpatient Care - community family physicians who admit and manage their own (or their call group's) patients.

Click Here to learn more about the Comox Valley Hospital

Learn more about Assigned Inpatient Care

Choose how you would like to practice:

• Grey Call Group – A group of 9 FPs caring for their own patients during the week and share call over the weekends.   
• Red Call Group: A group of 7 physicians rotating call on weekends (Friday to Sunday).
  • Group 1 – Weekday coverage: A group of 3 FPs rotating weekly.
  • Group 2 –  Weekday coverage: A group of 4 FPs rotating weekly.
• Build your Own Call Group - if there is sufficient interest in practicing in a different way, we will work with you to set up a new call group.
• Not ready to commit to a call group? Provide locum coverage. Grey and Red group physicians would welcome locum coverage rotating in their schedule. 

​​For hospital privileging or information about assigned inpatient care at CVH, reach out to Drs. Sara Sandwith or Dan Wainberg. 

How is inpatient care compensated and supported?

Compensation

• Recruitment Bonus (Available to June 30, 2025) - $10,000 per physician for up to 3 new physicians to join a call group as a locum or permanent physician with a commitment to provide assigned inpatient care for 1 year.  Please sign up before June 30, 2025 with your commitment to provide care.
• Commitment Bonus and On-call Availability (Available to September 30, 2025) -  approx $6000/ quarter.
• LFP Payment Model – paid at approx. $230/hour (weekdays) and approx. $255/hour (weekends)
• Fee for Service Model - flexible payment per unit of service provided. See payment calculator
• Assigned Inpatient Care Networking Fee - of $2,100 paid quarterly.  Physicians can claim payments by submitting a FPSC payment claim form.  *More details to come from FPSC.
• FPSC Comprehensive Care Payment (On hold) - Click here for more info

Supports

• Physician Mentorship 
  • Would you like the mentorship of an experienced assigned inpatient care physician? Reach out to Judy Darby to express your interest. Sessional funds are available to existing AIC physicians until June 30, 2025 to provide mentorship to new, or returning physicians. 
  • Rural Education Action Plan (REAP): Rural Skills Upgrade - RCCbc and Advanced Skills and Training Program provide mentorship programs.
  • Relocation and Recruitment Incentives: If you are planning to move to the Comox Valley to start a practice, recruitment and relocation incentives may be available, in accordance with the Rural Subsidiary Agreement (RSA). See FP Permanent Opportunities for more information.

Learn more about Hospitalist Care / Unassigned Inpatient Care

The Island Health Hospitalist group at Comox Valley Hospital (CVH) are looking for new full time, part time and locum members.

We are a supportive group of approximately 10-15 members who strive to provide comprehensive care in our lovely 153 bed hospital.

Each physician provides care for approximately 15 patients. This includes being MRP for a diversity of medical patients, supervising care for our Low Intensity Rehab Unit patients, and consulting for specialists.

Choose how you would like to practice:

• Most of our doctors work a partial FTE and some do other work including office practice, LTC, Emergency, Urgent care, Addictions, Surgical assist and maternity.
• We are looking for full time, part time and locum members.
• We currently staff 3 day lines (0800-1700) and 1 night line (1700-0800) but are looking to expand to 4-5 day lines.
• There is significant flexibility in our scheduling, and we support each other to ensure that all members get to work the days/hours they want.
• Our contract with Island Health allows for expansion and includes patient work load maximums. 

Compensation:

Service contract with Island Health paid hourly with anywhere between $294 - $319/hr. The breakdown:

• The base rate is $200.10/hr paid every 2 weeks
• Scheduling 10% = $20/hr
• Quality 10% = $20/hr
• Volume incentive 20% = $40/hr
• After hours and weekends = $25/hr
• Pro-rated Level 3 MOCAP for on call availability
• May be eligible for the Rural Premium 6.93 % = $14/hr

Supports:

• We work collaboratively with an excellent network of clinicians including specialists, rehabilitation staff, and nursing.
• There is supports for new grads or physicians that are training! We provide an orientation and recommend starting with some split shifts with a buddy to have support in orienting to the site before taking on a full patient load. We are a very supportive group and the hours are paid at the same rate.

Frequently asked questions:

• Are travel incentives available?
  • Presently YES! There are the full travel expenses for locums including travel, accommodation, meals as listed on the island health website allotted to the program for 10 days per month  on a first come first serve basis. 
• Are there Relocation and Recruitment Incentives?
  • Depending on the applicant, $10,000 for recruitment AND if you are planning to move to the Comox Valley to start a practice, up to $10,000 for relocation may be available, in accordance with the Rural Subsidiary Agreement (RSA). 
• What are the shifts like?
  • A dayshift is 0800-1700 with up to 20% of that time able to be done at home (paperwork etc.).
  • A separate night shift covers evening 17:00-23:00 onsite and night 23:00-08:00 off site.
  • There are no night call expectations. Some of our members prefer nights, others don’t do any nights!
• How many patients do you see in a day?
  • Our census is capped at 65 patients. This is composed of Acute, ALC and rehab patients.
  • There is a separate group who covers 15 -25 ALC so the typical list is 15-18 patients.
  • Admissions are usually done by the night shift.
  • Our work load is standardized to a provincially recognized workload model and our contract protects us from exceeding our capacity. 
• How many days in a row are the shifts?
  • There isn’t a specific number of days you are expected to work. You can work anywhere from 1 night to 14 days in a row. You can work days, weekends or nights. You are never required to work a day and night shift back to back.   

Read more information from Island Health here: Hospitalist (300-0831) | Medical Staff, or reach out to the Hospitalist Recruitment Coordinator.

Benefits of Providing Inpatient Care

Providing inpatient care offers a unique and rewarding opportunity to:

• Enhance your skills: Work closely with experienced healthcare professionals and gain hands-on experience in managing a diverse range of medical conditions.
• Make a Difference: Play a crucial role in the recovery and well-being of patients, offering them the compassionate care they need during their hospital stay.
• Continuity of Care: Patients benefit from seeing the same healthcare providers throughout their stay, which can lead to better health outcomes.
• Team-based Care: Work alongside your specialist colleagues, sharing knowledge and learning from each other to provide the best possible care.
• Opportunities for teaching: CVH is affiliated with the University of British Columbia and the Strathcona Site Family Practice Residency Program which provides opportunities for teaching if you wish.

Why Join the Inpatient Care Team at Comox Valley Hospital?

Providing inpatient care offers a unique and rewarding opportunity to:

• Work in a modern hospital: Comox Valley’s 153 acute care bed hospital was built in 2017 and has state-of-the-art equipment in a modern and bright facility.
• Develop relationships with local specialists and fellow family physicians.
• Meeting a need in the community: The Comox Valley has a shortage of family physicians providing care for patients in the Comox Valley hospital.  This adds strain on our health care system.  Any inpatient care you can offer will make a very important difference.
• Supportive community of practice: When providing inpatient care in the Comox Valley, there are options for shared on-call arrangements, mentoring, participation in quality improvement activities, administrative supports, and a community of supportive colleagues.
• Change of pace and setting: Seeing patients in the hospital is a nice opportunity to get out of the office and connect with the community as well as family practice and specialist colleagues.

Upcoming Inpatient Care Events

Interested in a hospital tour? Reach out to Ingrid Timmermans, Recruitment and Retention Coordinator.

If your interest is piqued even just a bit, and you have additional questions, please feel free to get in touch with Judy Darby, Inpatient Care Coordinator or Ingrid Timmermans, Recruitment and Retention Coordinator.