Psychiatry

About the Role

The Cowichan Valley Department of Psychiatry of Vancouver Island Health Authority (Island Health) is seeking a General Psychiatrist to join the Mental Health and Substance Use (MHSU) programs. The role involves supporting a continuum of services, including:

• Cowichan District Hospital’s (CDH) 15-bed Psychiatry In-Patient Unit, collaborating with primary care providers.
• Consultation to various programs, such as:
  • Short Term Services (community Crisis Response and Brief interventions) for GP referrals.
  • Case Management Services, including moderate community support, an Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team, and an Early Psychosis Intervention program.
  • Substance Use programs offering counselling, residential treatment, and integration with community responses to the opioid crisis.
• Integration with a graduated housing program supporting community living.
• Participation in seniors’ psychiatric services, if desired.

The MHSU program provides a modified psychiatrist on-call response with a crisis team for the Cowichan District Hospital Emergency Department and throughout the hospital, connected to a consultation-liaison function. This may be supported by BC’s “Medical On Call Availability Program” (MOCAP).

As part of the UBC Faculty of Medicine Island Medical Program, there are opportunities for training medical students and residents, applying for a clinical appointment, and participating in research facilitated by Island Health.

Administrative duties include attending clinical team meetings and providing reports to the Department of Psychiatry meetings.

This role offers the opportunity to contribute to the development of psychiatry services within a new, state-of-the-art acute care campus. The new Cowichan District Hospital, opening Fall 2026, will feature a dedicated psychiatric emergency zone, a four-bed psychiatric intensive care unit, and a 20-bed inpatient unit.

Location

Located in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island, the City of Duncan enjoys Canada’s most temperate climate. The region offers diverse landscapes, including lush countryside, scenic coastal villages, freshwater lakes, saltwater beaches, and farmland. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy hiking, biking, golfing, sailing, canoeing, and ocean kayaking. The area also features local artisans, five top vineyards and wineries, and excellent public and private schools. Victoria, with its educational, cultural, and recreational opportunities, is just 45 minutes south.

Compensation

Compensation is fee-for-service with mixed fee-for-service and sessional billing.

• May be eligible for additional remuneration under the Rural Subsidiary Agreement (RSA), including:
  • Retention Premium: 4.2%
  • Retention Flat Fee: $6,374
  • Relocation Funding: Up to $15,000
  • Recruitment Incentive: $10,000
• Additional incentives under the RSA (subject to eligibility):
  • Rural CME starting at $3,000/annum in years 3 & 4, increasing to a maximum of $6,000/annum after 4 years.
  • Free shared office space, secretary, telephone, fax, and email.