Island Sexual Health is a dynamic non-profit community health centre currently seeking family practitioners to join our multidisciplinary care team. We are committed to providing trauma-informed low barrier primary care. Our current primary care panels include gender diverse patients, sex trade workers, patients living with HIV and on medications to prevent HIV infection, many of whom experience mental health challenges.
A new practitioner will assume care for established patients but also attach patients to develop a panel to suit their own interests and experience in accordance with the Vision and Mission of Island Sexual Health Community Health Centre. Given a percentage of our patients have complex needs, our panels are smaller, and we can take the time required to help patients with their medical needs. To balance out the longitudinal primary care practice a portion of the FTE provides episodic sexual health care to our community. Utilizing an interdisciplinary care model, we have a robust team of nurses with specialized practice skills including sexual health and contraceptive care as well as assessment skills in gender care and family practice. There is an on-site clinical social worker, a mental health support worker, and an experienced and dedicated support staff. All team members work under the general supervision of the medical director and executive director.
We offer a competitive hourly rate and there is currently no call requirement as we work with the After Hours Call Program.
ISH is committed to psychological safety, and we strive to create a work environment that is welcoming, inclusive and supports the well being of each team member. ISH provides ongoing education for team members through our working groups on safety, DEI and anti colonial practices.
Experience:
- Competent to practice the full scope of family medicine/primary care as defined by the College of Family Physicians of Canada, excluding the provision of maternity care.
- A low barrier, harm reduction trauma informed approach with a social justice lens.
- Strong appreciation of the needs for safe environments in working with vulnerable clients from all walks of life. Experience in working in and supporting the safety of these environments strongly preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Ability to perform the full scope of FP duties and responsibilities.
- Works effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team, with other staff, with clients, their caregivers, and families. Ability to communicate and collaborate with clients and families about health findings, diagnosis, treatment, self-care, and prognosis.
- Ability to transfer knowledge, teach, coach and mentor others.
- Demonstrates conflict resolution, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
- Demonstrates ability to manage time and resources effectively, prioritizes and organizes work appropriately.
- Experience working with populations: that are gender and sex diverse (LGBTQ2+), experiencing mental health and substance use challenges, with histories of trauma, and/or have structural barriers to health like poverty, colonization, and discrimination, with infectious disease (HIV/HCV/HBV).
General Expectations:
- Proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 is a condition of employment as per the PHO.
- The FP is responsible for their own professional proficiency by keeping up to date on relevant clinical and social developments potentially affecting practice.
- The FP will be required to participate in training in providing, gender affirming care, and ongoing Cultural Competency work for care of Indigenous clients.
- The FP is expected to become familiar with and be aware of all relevant policies and best practice standards of PCFSA and the CHC, as well as to contribute to appropriate organizational development activities and practices.
- Maintain a current First Aid and a current CPR Certification.
- Dedication to creating and maintaining a culturally safe workplace based on cultural humility, sensitivity, and awareness; ensuring cultural values and traditions are respected in all activities.
Compensation:
- Physicians are paid under a service agreement at an hourly rate. No overhead contributions are required.
Locum opportunities are available in addition we offer an opportunity for FPs to try out practice at ISH for a period, providing sexual health services and/or locum coverage, to experience the CHC model and assess a potential longer term fit.
Island Sexual Health Community Health Centre encourage applications from Indigenous persons, persons of colour, persons with disabilities, persons with experience of sex work and persons representing diverse genders and sexualities. In pursuit of our values, we seek team members who will work respectfully and constructively with differences and across levels of power and we prioritize attracting diverse talent and cultivating an inclusive environment that encourages diverse equity.
Community Information:
Victoria, British Columbia’s scenic capital, is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. Renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty and enviable quality of life, this is an ideal place to pursue your medical career and create the kind of lifestyle only dreamt about. Few areas in the world can match BC’s scope of outdoor activities, with Vancouver Island offering everything from skiing and snowboarding, to golf, and world-class fishing. With its temperate climate, rich heritage and vibrant cultural scene, Victoria provides the very best of urban and rural living.
