The Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, Island Health, is seeking a full-time Geriatric Psychiatrist to join 2 others in the Cowichan Valley. 

 Patient population is Geriatric, generally over 65 years of age but with psychiatric and/or cognitive challenges and indices of frailty.  Clinical services provided include Consulting status for outpatients, psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, direct and indirect care, multidisciplinary team leadership and medico legal expertise as required by the BC Mental Health and Adult Guardianship Acts. 

Your complex patients will have access to the innovative tertiary geriatric psychiatry system which provides acute inpatient services in the newly-opened Patient Care Centre in Victoria. This is linked to tertiary rehabilitation and residential facilities in Victoria, Duncan and Ladysmith, to create seamless service delivery.  There are two tertiary facilities in the Duncan area. The Lodge on Fourth Mental Health Unit is a specialized 12 bed facility. The Cowichan Lodge Tertiary Mental Health facility, which opened in 2013, consists of 24 geriatric and 26 general adult beds.

Involvement in the Island Medical Program undergraduate and postgraduate teaching program is a requirement of this position. In Duncan, there is a strong focus on undergraduate medical education and family practice residents.  There is a full postgraduate psychiatry residency program based in Victoria. These residents take advantage of educational opportunities throughout Vancouver Island as much as possible.  A University of B.C. affiliated appointment and membership in the UBC Geriatric Psychiatry Program is highly encouraged.  Research opportunities are expanding with a focus on clinical trials for dementia.   We are a member of the Canada-wide C5R Consortium for research.

The MHSU program provides psychiatrist on-call responses supported by BC’s “Medical On Call Availability Program” (MOCAP) with a crisis response team for the Cowichan District Hospital Emergency Department and everywhere throughout the hospital, connected to our consultation-liaison function.  Participation in the call rotation is optional for this position. 

Administrative duties of the position include attending clinical team meetings and the quarterly Division of Geriatric Psychiatry meetings, held in a virtual fashion.

The Division enjoys collegial relationships with the Island Health geriatric medicine, adult psychiatry and hospitalist services.

Start Date

May 4, 2024

 Benefits

Office space, administrative support, telephone, fax and email is provided by Island Health at no cost. Office space may be shared.

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

• Recruitment Incentive:  up to a maximum of $10,000 (pro-rated based on FTE)
• Relocation: up to a maximum of $15,000 (amount based on location relocating from)
• Flat fee: $6,508.80
• Fee Premium: 4.2%
• CME: $3,000/annum year 3-4 and $6,000/annum after 4 years in the community.

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health/practitioner-pro/rrp_points.pdf

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 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.