Hospitalist - Comox Valley Hospital

The Comox Valley Division of Family Practice is seeking the services of Hospitalists to provide unattached inpatient care at the Comox Valley Hospital in Courtenay, British Columbia on Northern Vancouver Island.

Currently, Comox Valley Hospital has 4 hospitalist lines as well as community family physicians who admit and manage their own patients outside the ICU. Each hospitalist line provides care for approximately 15-18 patients. The 153-bed community acute care hospital serves a population base of approximately 70,000 people. In addition, it provides specialty services to near-by communities residents and is affiliated with the University of British Columbia and the Strathcona Site Family Practice Residency Program with opportunities for teaching.

Hospitalist responsibilities include full scope of practice as a family practitioner providing in hospital care to unattached and unassigned inpatients at Comox Valley Hospital as well as participating in on-call. The physician will be responsible to the Hospitalist Lead and Division Head of Family Practice for their professional responsibilities and quality of practice and will operate within the Medical Staff Bylaws of the Vancouver Island Health Authority.

Hospitalists work alongside colleagues in Anesthesia, Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Geriatrics & Geriatric Psychiatry, General Surgery, Internal Medicine (general and sub-specialty who cover the 8 bed ICU), Obstetrics/Gynecology, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics, Palliative care, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Radiology (U/S, CT, MRI, ECHO), Urology, Visiting Neurology. Established links exist with tertiary care centres 1 hour away (Nanaimo) and 2.5 hours away (Victoria).

Shift/Hours of Work: Full-time, or part-time, opportunities available in 3, 4, or, 7-day shifts. Daytime coverage is 8 am to 5 pm and on-call coverage is 5 pm to 8 am, split between physicians covering the service for the week.

Remuneration: $1600-$2000 per day (comprised of $600 per day stipend plus FFS billings to be competitive with BCMA Hospitalist Rate).

Benefits: May be eligible for additional remuneration in accordance with the Rural Subsidiary Agreement (RSA): Recruitment Incentive - $10,000; Fee Premium - 6.93%; Rural CME starting at $2,200/annum in years 3 & 4 in the community, increasing to a maximum of $4,400/annum after 4 years. Eligibility is processed through Vancouver Island Health Authority.

Site Visit & Relocation Allowance Programs: May be eligible for site visit and relocation cost reimbursement. Eligibility is processed through Vancouver Island Health Authority.

Student Loan Forgiveness Program: Comox Valley is a community designated for the Canada Student Loan forgiveness. Successful candidates may be eligible for Canada Student Loan forgiveness if they meet other eligibility requirements - see Gov of Cda website.

Qualifications Required:

  • Eligible for licensure as a Family Physician with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC).
  • Satisfy the credentialing requirements of Vancouver Island Health Authority, Comox Valley Hospital, Division of Family Practice. 
  • Membership with the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA).
  • ACLS Desired

Community Information: Scenic Comox Valley is one of the Vancouver Island’s best-kept secrets! It is surrounded by majestic mountains, rushing rivers, lush rain forests, and shimmering seas. The winters are short and mild with warm, dry summers. The Valley includes several communities: Comox (a relaxed seaside town), Courtenay (a bustling urban city), Cumberland (a young and artistic village), and rural areas North and South including the islands of Hornby and Denman.

The Valley is an ideal place to raise a family with affordable housing, excellent schools, and a community college. There is a friendly and supportive physician community and an outstanding number of opportunities for recreational programs both indoors and out to support work/life balance. There are lots of annual festivals, a performing arts theatre, great boutique shopping, wonderful restaurants, farmers markets, and vineyards. Mount Washington Ski Resort, a 20-minute drive away, has 1700 acres of terrain and Cumberland has world-renowned mountain biking trails available year-round. 

Contact: Interested applicants are asked to provide a resume, supporting documentation, and the names of three references to the Comox Valley Division of Family Practice Recruitment Coordinator at comoxvalleyrecruitment@divisionsbc.ca.