What are your hours of work?
Day shifts: 8am-6pm
Evening shifts: 4pm-midnight
Overnight Shifts: midnight-8am
Pay premiums apply to all weekend, evening and overnight shifts.
What is your schedule like?
Mostly 7 days on - 7days off, but can be tailored based on requested full vs part time work. Two weeks per year can be protected for time off. Approximately one third of work weeks are a hybrid of of day and evening shifts, all other weeks are day shifts only. 1.0 FTE hospitalists are typically assigned 15 overnight shifts per year.
What are the options for FTE commitment?
From 0.50-1.1, with 1.1 being 7 days on - 7 days off.
Are there incentives?
There are no bonuses, overtime, RVUs
What is the evaluation system?
The hospital does a 360 evaluation 1-3 years after you start working, which incorporates evaluation by colleagues, ancillary staff and nurses.
Are there Press Ganey scores? Metrics goals? Utilization Review?
No, there is no in hospital satisfaction surveys, there are currently no evaluation of metrics, and no utilization review process at KGH. All patients are admitted under inpatient status.
Who is your employer?
Hospitalists are contracted by Interior Health, which is a publicly funded regional health authority.
How many patients do you see in one day?
Typically between 18-22 patients
How long is a usual contract?
One year, but it is evergreen and rolls forward
What is health insurance in British Columbia like?
Medical Services Plan is free public health insurance that covers medically required services of physicians and surgeons. There are options through Doctors of BC and other private organizations to purchase additional health insurance for prescription/dental coverage
What is the school system in Kelowna like?
There are excellent options for public and private schools for elementary and high school ages, including public French immersion and Francophone options. As far as post secondary education, Kelowna is also home to UBC Okanagan and Okanagan college.
What is the process for medical licensure in British Columbia for American and Internationally trained physicians?
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC has a pathway for US trained physicians and certain international medical graduates. This process requires source verification of your medical education. Our team has experience with navigating this process and sponsoring physicians who require a provisional license.
Who covers malpractice insurance?
Each physician purchases insurance through the Canadian Medical Protective Association, a federal non-profit which
provides legal defense and liability protection for the majority of Canadian physicians. Costs are approximately $100/month.
What is the best part of your program?
It is a diverse, dynamic and inclusive group of fun people who are collegial and work with a team based approach. We are involved in CME and teaching in addition to our clinical responsibilities at work. We have fun together off site as well whether its social events at restaurants, weekly hockey, biking trips or play dates with families.
Is there licensure pathways for DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine)
Yes, this has been established with CPSBC
Are there teaching opportunities?
Yes, we have one to three family medicine residents a month who are assigned to various wards in the hospital, if you are keen to take on a resident you can make this clear. There are also medical students who shadow regularly.
Which EMR do you use?
Meditech, charts are electronic for reports and labs, but notes and orders are handwritten currently. There is a plan for transition to fully electronic EMR, charting and order entry in the coming few years.
What is the tax structure like in British Columbia?
It is important as always to have a good tax accountant. Generally speaking, there are different income tax brackets based on income. BC income tax can be anything from 12.29 ($98,901 - $120,094) to 20.5% (over $227,091). Federal income tax ranges from 20.5% to 33%. Incorporated MDs pay a tax rate of 13% of monies left in their corporation.
What is orientation/onboarding like?
We have a 2 day paid orientation for out of network new hires, we will review our orientation manual, group norms and in hospital processes during these days. You will not have a significant patient load on these days
Are there away elective opportunities?
Yes, we support learners to come to KGH to learn more about our program in person, with the option of a 1 month elective during residency. Please contact us if you are interested and we will help you through this process.
Is there funding for a site visit?
Yes, serious applicants are invited to come and meet our team, see our site and explore Kelowna. Transportation and accommodation costs can be covered.