Community Psychiatrist – Mental Health and Substance Use Services

Job Summary

Job Title:

Psychiatrist

Work Site:

Vancouver Community Mental Health and Substance Use Services

Status:

Permanent

Start Date:

As soon as possible

Compensation Type:

Combination

Come work as a Psychiatrist with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)!

Vancouver Coastal Health is seeking psychiatrists to participate in team-based care for adults who have a diagnosis of major mental illness and experience significant impairment in functioning in the community.

Characteristics of the population served include a history of psychiatric hospitalizations; unstable housing and/or relationships; difficulties with activities of daily living; concurrent substance use or addiction; high risk for co-occurring medical conditions; refractory treatment history; and risk of causing harm to self or others.

Physicians working in Vancouver Community settings will approach care by:

• Placing the patient at the centre
• Engaging in a team-based approach, providing consultations as required and longer-term psychiatric care when necessary
• 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 psychiatric care
• Collaborating in the management of concurrent substance use disorders

Further information and expectations:

Reporting to the local medical coordinator, to the Medical Director, Vancouver Community Mental Health & Substance Use Services, and through them to the Senior Medical Director, our physicians provide medical expertise, work closely with case managers, have a strong knowledge base in psychopharmacology including opioid agonist treatment, and familiarity with behavioral and rehabilitative interventions. Additionally, they facilitate continuity of care between hospital and community and liaise with hospital physicians and staff. Occasional outreach visits in the community may be required along with virtual client interactions.

All VCH physicians must be appointed as medical staff of Vancouver Coastal Health; on-call duties depend on different factors and will be discussed. A clinical faculty appointment with the University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine is highly encouraged as resident supervision and involvement in education initiatives are an expectation.

Qualifications

Education, Licensing, & Experience:

• Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) - Mandatory
• Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada (FRCPC) – Eligible
• Eligibility or current appointment as clinical faculty with University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine

Closing Statement

Interested in applying? Feel free to reach out to Ben Murphy, Executive and Medical Staff Talent Acquisition Advisor: [email protected] 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.

• 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, BC’s Top Employers, Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and Canada's Top Employers for Young People in 2026.

Thank you for your interest in Vancouver Coastal Health.