The Vancouver Island Health Authority (Island Health) Department of Laboratory Medicine, Pathology, and Medical Genetics is seeking applications for a full-time Anatomical Pathologist.  Extra training or interest in skin or GI pathology is an asset. Based at the North Island Hospital - Comox Valley, you will join a group that will consist of three pathologists and a pathologists’ assistant.  The team will work together in the hospital environment, sharing knowledge and collaborating to ensure seamless pathology services within the community and Department as a whole.  The physicians are members of the Department of Laboratory Medicine, Pathology, and Medical Genetics and report to the Department Head and the Division Head and Medical Lead for Anatomical Pathology.

A typical week for a physician would include providing the following direct services:

• Surgical Pathology (including Frozen Sections/Intraoperative Consultations), Cytology, and hospital autopsy services.  This includes adhering to the anatomic pathology division protocols for Confirmation of Malignancy, Confirmation of Diagnosis, and Intra- and Interdepartmental Consultation, as well as use of provincially mandated Synoptic Reporting for cancer cases.

• Referral of surgical pathology services, where necessary, first to the most appropriate site and pathologist within Island Health and, if required, outside of Island Health, as authorized jointly by the  Medical Director and/or Administrative Director.

• Grossing of large surgical specimens and providing oversight and guidance, within the terms of the contract, to operational staff, including the pathologists’ assistant. Support and guidance provided to operational staff must adhere to islandwide anatomic pathology policies, procedures, and protocols.

• Work with operational staff, technical coordinators, and medical lead to ensure high quality and timely results for all patients.

The North Island Hospital - Comox Valley, a 153-bed facility that opened in October 2017, is a regional referral center for a population of approximately 70,000.  In addition to Laboratory services, the hospital has a broad range of consultants, including Internal Medicine, Intensive Care, General Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Urology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Otolaryngology, Radiology, and Family Medicine.  We have an academic affiliation with the University of British Columbia (UBC) postgraduate programs and are a teaching hospital.  We have a Family Practice Residency Program and are involved in both medical student and resident teaching.

Start Date

As soon as possible.

Benefits

May be eligible for additional remuneration in accordance with the Rural Subsidiary agreement including: 

Recruitment Incentive - $10,000;

Relocation Costs Reimbursement – up to a maximum of $15,000;

Fee Premium of 6.93%; Retention

Flat Fee of $7,977.42;

Rural CME starting at $3,000/annum in years 3 and 4 in the community to a maximum of $6,000/annum after 4 years.

Rural Practice Subsidiary Agreement - Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)

Community Information 

Situated on the east coast of Vancouver Island the Comox Valley is comprised of the City of Courtenay, the Town of Comox, the Village of Cumberland and idyllic rural areas from Fanny Bay in the south to Black Creek in the north, as well as Hornby and Denman Islands.  The Comox Valley is one of the Island’s best-kept secrets!

Surrounded by majestic mountains, rushing rivers, lush rain forests and shimmering seas, this region is highly attractive to those seeking variety and a superb quality of life, as well as affordable housing.  A great place to raise a family, we have a strong sense of community and a shared spirit of cooperation.  We are one of the fastest growing areas in Canada and educational facilities range from elementary to full degree programs at the North Island College.

The valley enjoys short mild winters and warm dry summers and is host to over 50 annual festivals.  The local Sid Williams Theatre provides year-round performing arts.  For great boutique shopping, go to 5th Street in Courtenay and visit the local restaurants, farmers market and vineyards for the renowned local food scene.

If you enjoy the outdoors, Mount Washington Ski resort, which has 1700 acres of terrain, is only 30 minutes outside the city.  World-renowned mountain biking trails that can be ridden year round are located in Cumberland.  Furthermore, the beautiful west coast community of Tofino is only 2.5 hours away.  A typical weekend in the region can include superb salmon fishing, paddle boarding at Goose Spit or on Comox Lake, a tube float down the Puntledge River, or time spent on a patio at one of the three local micro-breweries.