Come work as an Addictions Physician with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)!

Vancouver Detox is a withdrawal management centre in Vancouver. The 24-bed withdrawal management centre is a seven-day/week, inpatient centre that is staffed with in-house 24-hour nursing to support medication-assisted withdrawal management for individuals with substance use disorders. Vancouver Detox is often a critical entry point in the treatment process allowing for stabilization and linkage to both outpatient and bed-based treatment options for substance use disorders. Physicians will be providing evidenced-based, high quality substance use care including management of acute withdrawal, OAT initiation and titration, harm reduction teaching, and linking patients with psychosocial treatment options after discharge. They will also be required to be involved with other primary care treatment (including mental health and chronic disease management during detox admission), until patients have been stabilized for discharge. The physicians will work closely with a multi-disciplinary team of nurses, counsellors, community-liaison workers and peer support workers.

Vancouver Withdrawal Management Centre is an 18- bed lower acuity withdrawal management centre which otherwise is very similar to Vancouver Detox as described above.

Physicians must have completed the BCCSU Provincial Opioid Addiction Treatment Support Program (POATSP) training.

Reporting to the Medical Coordinator for VCH Withdrawal Management, and the Medical Director, Specialized Substance Use Services Program, the physician who accepts this position will play a critical role in the development of an inter-professional shared care team. They are responsible for providing direct clinical services to patients who present to withdrawal management for their substance use needs. They will help foster a collaborative inter-professional practice environment that enhances client-centered services within the site and with associated programs. They will work within a team of physicians and other inter-professional colleagues to achieve excellence in client-centered care, while also supporting the team’s goals of creating a warm and welcoming space which is culturally competent, trauma-informed, and recovery-oriented. An ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with the inter-disciplinary team is essential.

Hours of work:

• Vancouver Detox facility:
  • Staffed with 2 MDs in week-long blocks, 5-7 days per week (M-F +/- weekend)
  • Commitment to 9-15 weeks per year depending on % of FTE. (or locum for ad hoc coverage)
  • 8 hours per day with availability to be onsite between 9:00-17:00.
  • 2 physicians on per day.
  • 1 weekend per 8 weeks.
  • Commitment to work evenly throughout the year and help staff the less desirable times to work (e.g. Christmas every ~5 years, contribute to summertime weeks)

• VCH withdrawal management:
  • Staffed in single days and/or weeklong blocks. Including around 1 weekend in 8.
  • 7 hours per day with availability to be onsite between 9:00-16:00.
  • 2 physicians on per day.
  • MD of the day model with a fixed commitment of 1-2 days per week (or locum for ad hoc coverage)
  • Commitment to work evenly throughout the year and help staff the less desirable times to work (e.g. Christmas every 5 years, summertime)

Education, Licensing, & Experience:

• Current College of Physicians of BC (CPSBC)- Mandatory- Full
• Canadian College of Family Practitioners (CCFP) OR Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada (FRCP)
• Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA)- Mandatory
• Experience with inpatient withdrawal management

Nice to have:

• Completed Addiction Medicine Fellowship

Interested in applying? Feel free to reach out to Ben Murphy, Executive and Medical Staff Talent Acquisition Advisor: medstaffcareers@vch.ca or click “Apply Now.”

Please note that a resume and coverletter are required to apply for this position.

As per Ministry of Health policy, all health care workers working in publicly-funded health care facilities are required to report their past receipt of certain vaccines or history of certain infections. Collecting these records will allow for offering of any missing vaccines, and for appropriate actions to be taken in the event of any future exposure to a communicable disease or during outbreaks. For all new hires and appointments to Vancouver Coastal Health, you will be asked to provide this information as part of the onboarding process.

WHY JOIN VANCOUVER COASTAL HEALTH?

VCH is a world class innovator in medical care, research and teaching, delivering service to more than one million BC residents. At VCH, we embrace thinking boldly, taking smart risks, and "going first" when we believe it will lead to the best possible outcomes for patients and their families. We invite you to join us in creating healthy lives in healthy communities by showcasing our passion for care, connection to the communities we serve and our culture of teamwork that makes VCH a great place to work.

• Comprehensive health benefits package, including MSP, extended health and dental and municipal pension plan
• Grow your career with employer-paid training and leadership development opportunities
• Wellness supports, including counselling, critical incident and innovative wellness services are available to employees and their immediate families
• Award-winning recognition programs to honour staff, medical staff and volunteers

At Vancouver Coastal Health, our vision of healthy lives in healthy communities inspires us and our values and pillars guide us. We support equitable practices, diverse teams and inclusive environments, which are vital to creating welcoming spaces where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and feel supported. We encourage applications from equity-deserving communities, including Indigenous Peoples and members of racialized groups, people with disabilities and people of all gender identities and expressions and sexual orientation.

Vancouver Coastal Health is proud to be recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers in 2024.

Thank you for your interest in Vancouver Coastal Health.