Roadmap to Practice in Surrey-North Delta

Considerations

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What the Surrey-North Delta Division can do for physicians who wish to relocate to British Columbia

The SNDDoFP will assist family physicians interested in moving to Surrey-North Delta by directing them to key the resources they need for licensure or registration and relocation, by connecting them to practice opportunities (see Opportunities in Surrey-North Delta | Divisions of Family Practice ), by arranging either virtual or in-person practice tours, and by helping them to understand the contract and compensation system options available. Once you find a practice of interest, the SNDDoFP will help you work through their offer letter, and obtain sponsorship with our local Health Authority, Fraser Health.

If you are interested in learning more about practicing in Surrey and North Delta or applying to family practices in Surrey-North Delta, please contact Megan Shymanski at megan.shymanski@snddivision.ca

What the Surrey-North Delta Division does not provide

• accommodation
• plane tickets
• travel or moving expense reimbursement
• legal advice

Divisions of BC

• Divisions of Family Practice – What We Do
• How Divisions support physician members

Surrey-North Delta Division

• Surrey-North Delta Division support for physician members
• Video: Welcome to Surrey-North Delta

Considerations

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Working in BC

Health Match BC is a free health professional recruitment service and is part of BCHealthCareers.ca.  They provide expert advice to help physicians navigate licensing and registration requirements and can provide support with immigration, if needed.

“Health Match BC provides “Navigation Services” for international medical graduates (IMGs). Our navigators work one-on-one with IMGs to support them through the steps necessary for obtaining registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC). If you are an IMG living in British Columbia or interested in relocating to BC, our navigators are available to answer your questions, provide up-to-date information and guidance on licensing requirements, and connect you to job opportunities across the province.” – Health Match BC 

Navigating Life in BC

Physicians can find many resources to assist them in adjusting to life in British Columbia. Here are some resources to help you navigate on your journey to a new life here.

Working in BC

• Watch an informative session detailing key points when considering moving to BC, including personal accounts from physician that have recently done so.
• Physician Jobs BC at BCHealthCareers.ca
• Living in BC

Navigating Life in BC

• WelcomeBC.ca
• BC Services Card
• Driver’s License
• Child Care
• School Registration - Surrey
• School Registration - Delta
• Finding a place to live 
   

Considerations

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Before Moving to BC

Before relocating to BC, physicians should access the resources provided herein to learn more about the process of licensure in BC.  Please review the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC requirements for eligibility for registration and licensure.   The requirements link also provides instructions on how to apply for registration.

Family Physicians should also secure a clinic in which to practice.   You can find practice opportunities by accessing the BC Health Careers website and the Surrey-North Delta Division website to view the practice opportunities that are available.  Once you receive sponsorship you may proceed with the licensure process.

To learn more about practicing in Surrey and North Delta or to obtain support with Health Authority sponsorship please contact Megan Shymanski at the Surrey-North Delta Division of Family Practice, megan.shymanski@snddivision.ca.

Physicians should also understand the compensation systems and contract options that are available in the province.  See “How are Family Physicians Compensated in BC?”  below.

Expected Timeline for Licensure

Getting licensed to practice in the province of British Columbia ranges, on average, between 6 to 18 months, depending on the documentation needs for your specific situation.  

Physicians should take this timeline into consideration when planning their relocation to BC. Health Match BC will be able to provide progress updates and estimated wait times as you go through the application process. Once you have completed your registration package with the College of and Physicians and Surgeons of BC you will be assigned a case manager that will be able to provide you with more specific timeline information.

NOTE: Practicing physicians relocating to British Columbia should become licensed in this province before relinquishing any existing licenses of the current jurisdiction in which they practice.  

Licensure

• College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC – Registration and Licensing

Employment

• Practice In BC Website
• Surrey-North Delta - Practice Opportunities
• Health Match BC -  Practice Opportunities
• BC Health Careers Website
• Cherry Health – Physician Employment Opportunities

Compensation Models in BC

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Fee-for-service (FFS)

This is the traditional method of compensating Family Physicians; typically used by physicians who own their own practice, or practice as part of a group.  In this compensation model, physicians bill the provincial Medical Services Plan (MSP) directly for services provided to patients. 

Longitudinal Family Physician (LFP) Payment Model

This model compensates physicians for their direct clinical services as well as for time spent on administrative tasks

Locum Compensation: LFP Payment Model

Taking a locum placement can be a great way to try out different neighbourhoods and make connections.

The LFP Payment Model allows for locum coverage. 

If you are considering providing locum services for an LFP physician, you can learn more about it on page 7 of this document.

Individual New-to-Practice (NTP) Physician Contract

As a new-to-BC Family Physician, you may be eligible for an NTP contract. 

NTP contracts enable FPs without a panel to build their patient panel while earning an hours-based income at an established family practice clinic.

Employment with a Health Authority

Some physicians work as Health Authority employees, usually at hospitals or other HA -run sites.

Choosing a Payment Model

• Doctors of BC Payment Model Comparison Chart

General

• Physician Compensation - Doctors of BC

• Clinic Setup for Encounter Reporting (MoH): Step-by-step instructions on how to apply for an MSP billing number, complete the Assignment of Payment (AOP) form prepared by Fraser Health Authority, and connect an MSP billing number to a clinic payee number.

Medical Services Plan (MSP)

• About MSP

• Medical Services Plan (MSP) Enrollment

Longitudinal Family Practice (LFP) Payment Model

• About the LFP Payment Model

• LFP Payment Model - News Release

Considerations

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Joining an Existing Practice

Many Family Physicians who come to BC choose to join an existing family practice clinic. Each clinics is unique, and the best way to find a good fit for you is to see the clinic and meet the other physicians and staff. While the arrangement for paying overhead will be  specific to the clinic, on average, you can expect a range of 25-35% of your income to go towards the clinic’s overhead.

We have compiled a printable list of questions that you may want to consider as you seek to join an existing practice. You may also find the following resource created by the Powell River Division of Family Practice helpful: Finding the right fit.pdf

Note: The SNDDoFP does not provide mediation services between physicians experiencing a conflict. However, SNDDoFP is able to provide limited guidance and can also arrange third-party conflict resolution support. 

Opening Your Own Family Practice

Physicians may choose to start their own family practice.  Physicians who do so are typically compensated by billing MSP for services provided to patients (Fee-For-Service) or through the Longitudinal Family Physician (LFP) payment model.  Family Physicians usually decide to join an existing practice and gain experience there prior to opening their own practice. The SNDDoFP can connect you with physicians who have recently opened their own clinic through the Peer Support and Mentorship Program.

Clinic Resources

• Pathways BC: e-referrals, care pathways, patient resources and more
• UpToDate: evidence-based decision support tool

Starting a New Practice

• Doctors of BC guide to starting a new practice

Considerations

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Practice Standards and Professional Guidelines

Physicians seeking to practice in British Columbia must adhere to the Practice Standards and Professional Guidelines published by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC).

Attachment

Our dedicated team is here to support you as you build the panel of your dreams! A dedicated SNDDoFP Attachment Coordinator will assist you and your staff with attaching patients from the SNDDoFP’s patient waitlist. If you have questions regarding attachment, please contact SNDDoFP. 

Panel Management

The Practice Support Program (through FPSC) is available to Family Physicians to guide them through panel management which is a process of using the physician’s electronic medical record (EMR) data to identify patients’ chronic and preventative care needs and then plan their proactive and preventative care.

• Practice Standards and Professional Guidelines - CPSBC

• Panel Management - Practice Support Program (PSP)