The Department of Medicine of the Vancouver Island Authority (Island Health) has openings available for full-time General Internists at the Cowichan District Hospital located in the Cowichan Valley. The successful applicants would be joining the existing group of general internists in providing inpatient and outpatient care. 

Our local 148-bed acute care facility, Cowichan District Hospital, boasts an exceptionally collegial and supportive medical community.  Construction is underway for the new CDH replacement project that is projected to open in 2027 with 203 beds, including 6 ICU and 8 HAU beds under the oversight of the Internal Medicine service. The new hospital will also feature increased capacity for endoscopy, expanded scope in the ICU, and an on-site call room for the on-call internist. Other local specialist services include General and Orthopedic Surgery, Anesthesiology, Urology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, ENT, Ophthalmology, and Radiology. Our inpatients are cared for by a combination of full-service community GPs who maintain hospital privileges and a growing Hospitalist service.  There are no local internal medicine subspecialists or intensivists, although we are well supported by our colleagues in Victoria and Nanaimo when needed.  Inpatient work frequently involves teaching, including medical students in the integrated community clerkship program, residents in the local Cowichan family practice program, and visiting residents in both family practice and internal medicine.

Inpatient work would involve participation in a paid 1-in-7 on-call schedule for consultative services, directive care on the medical and surgical wards, electrodiagnostics (stress testing, ECG, Holter interpretation), and rounding in the closed 7-bed ICU on a rotating basis. On-call work tends to be high volume and high acuity, spanning the full breadth of GIM, subspecialty medicine, and critical care. A high degree of comfort with a broad range of internal medicine problems, cardiology and critical care is essential. 

We anticipate that a new members of the group would also establish a full-time outpatient practice in the Cowichan Valley. Outpatient referrals span the full breadth of GIM and subspecialty medicine, but there is substantial flexibility in establishing a particular area of interest, if desired.

Start Date

To be determined

Benefits

May be eligible for additional remuneration in accordance with the Rural Subsidiary Agreement (RSA) including:

• Recruitment Incentive: $10,000 (full-time)
• Relocation Costs Reimbursement: up to $15,000 (amount based on location relocating from)
• Fee Premium: 4.20%
• Annual Flat Fee: $6,508.80
• Rural CME: starting at $3000/annum in year 3 & 4 to a maximum of $6,00.00/annum after 4 years.

The above amounts are current as of October 2026 and may be subject to change. 

For more information, please visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/practitioner-professional-res…

Community Information

Nestled in between Victoria and Nanaimo, and comprising of over 15 communities, the Cowichan Valley showcases a rich variety of landscapes — from rolling farmland and countryside to lakes, beaches and quaint coastal villages. The Cowichan Valley is located on the unceded and traditional territories of the Quw’utsun, Malahat, Ts’uubaa-asatx, Halalt, Penelakut, Stz’uminus, Lyackson, Pauquachin, Ditidaht & Pacheedaht Peoples. This region boasts one of Canada’s most temperate and enjoyable climates. Outdoor enthusiasts will find endless adventure opportunities including hiking, biking, golfing, sailing, kayaking and fishing. The Cowichan Valley is celebrated for its top craft beverage producers and a thriving community of local artisans. Families can choose among public education or several private schools nearby. This community has a perfect blend of rural life with convenient access to airports, urban amenities and the scenic Gulf Islands.