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 Duncan, BC. The successful applicant would be joining the existing group of 4 general internists in providing inpatient and outpatient care to the residents of the Cowichan Valley. 

The Cowichan District Hospital, a 148-bed acute care facility, enjoys an exceptionally collegial atmosphere amongst the general and specialty medical staff. Many local GPs continue to maintain full-service practices including provision of inpatient care. Local specialist services include General and Orthopedic Surgery, Anesthesiology, Urology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, ENT, Ophthalmology, and Radiology. Construction is underway for the new CDH replacement project, that is projected to open in 2027 with 203 beds (185 operational on opening), with 6 ICU and 7 HAU beds under the overview of the Internal Medicine service. Teaching is a big component of hospital work, with 3rd year Integrated Clerkship medical students present year round, and Internal Medicine and Family Medicine residents coming for electives. The Cowichan Valley has been approved for a new family medicine residency program that is set to open in June 2024.  

Inpatient work would involve participation in a 1-in-6 paid on-call schedule for consultative services, directive care on the medical and surgical wards, electrodiagnostics (stress testing, ECG, Holter interpretation), and management of 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 August 2024 and may be subject to change. 

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

Community Information

Located in the beautiful Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island, the City of Duncan enjoys Canada's most temperate climate. Characterized by diverse landscapes from lush countryside to scenic coastal villages and charming inland communities, the Cowichan Valley, encompasses freshwater lakes, saltwater beaches and marinas, and farmland. The area offers a wide variety of attractions for outdoor enthusiasts including great hiking and biking trails, golfing, sailing, canoeing and ocean kayaking. In addition to many local artisans and attractions, the South Cowichan Valley boasts five top vineyards and wineries. Public education in Duncan is complemented by renowned local private schools and located only 45 minutes minutes south, Victoria also offers excellent educational, cultural and recreational opportunities.

Vancouver Island, one of Canada's most livable regions, provides the very best in both urban and rural living. Renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty, Vancouver Island offers an opportunity to combine a rewarding career with an enviable quality of life.