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

Vancouver Coastal Health is seeking in Addiction Medicine to cover clinic work which is part of our continuum of services for clients seeking assistance for mental health and substance use (MHSU) disorders.

Vancouver Coastal Health is seeking an addictions medicine physician to participate in team-based care for adults who have a diagnosis substance use disorders and experience significant impairment in functioning in the community. The available position requires a commitment of 0.2 FTE minimum (2 sessions/week) to 0.5 FTE maximum (5 sessions/week).

 Characteristics of the population served include a history of substance use challenges with or without mental health conditions. In addition, the substance use/ mental health condition has led to hospitalizations, unstable housing; or has contributed to difficulties with activities of daily living. Other factors may include high risk for co-occurring medical conditions; refractory treatment history; or risk of causing significant harm to self or others.

Addiction Medicine Physicians working in Vancouver Community settings will approach care by:

• Placing the patient at the centre
• Engaging in an inter-disciplinary team-based care approach either by consultation and/or being the most responsible provider as required for longer-term addictions medicine care
• Providing culturally safe and responsive care for Indigenous patients
• Practicing trauma- informed care
• Having a recovery-oriented approach
• Including families whenever possible
• Employing the principles of community-based addictions medicine care

This position will be based at one or more of the following sites in Vancouver and may support the care of clients of one or more of the other sites:

• Three Bridges MHSU
• Strathcona MHSU
• Northeast MHSU
• Kitsilano-Pacific Spirit MHSU
• South MHSU
• Raven Song MHSU
• Grandview Woodlands MHSU

Specific location(s) will be determined according to program needs in consultation between the candidate and the MHSU leadership.

The physician will work within a team that may include nurses, allied health care professionals, rehabilitation professionals, peers, nurse practitioners, and other physicians including psychiatrists.

 Skills are required in the full scope of addiction medicine and substance use care, including medical assessment, withdrawal management, co-occurring disorders, pain management. Applicants must have completed the BC Provincial Opioid Addiction Treatment Support Program (POATSP) course and preceptorship and be able to prescribe all oral opioid agonist therapies (OAT).  Furthermore, the physician will adhere to the guidelines, policies and procedures set forth by the organization to include (but not limited to): harm reduction, trauma informed and culturally safe practice.

 The physician will foster a collaborative inter-professional practice environment that enhances client-centred services within the associated sites/services. The physician works within a self-directed team of physicians and other inter-professional colleagues to achieve excellence in client-centred care.

Education, Licensing, & Experience:

• Current College of Physicians of BC (CPSBC) - Full
• Canadian College of Family Practitioners (CCFP) - Mandatory
• Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) – Mandatory

A Medical Degree and licensure in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia are required. Clinical faculty appointment with the University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine and participation in supervision and teaching activities are desirable. If not already a member, the candidate must become a credentialed medical provider on the Medical Staff of Vancouver Coastal Health.

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 cover letter 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.

• 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
• Access to exclusive discount offers and deals for VCH staff

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.