Kilala Lelum, a clinic in the Downtown Eastside is seeking a long-term locum (0.5 - FTE, position is half time including one remote or virtual session per week) who is passionate about promoting health and wellness equity in the Downtown Eastside (DTES) to join the Primary Care team at Kilala Lelum Health and Wellness Cooperative. KL’s aim is to provide healthcare services through a culturally safe, trauma-informed, member-centered, and harm reduction approach. Please see https://kilalalelum.ca for more details. The Primary Care Physician will provide comprehensive, collaborative care to an existing panel of about 150 members (patients). They are a full-scope family practice that aims to provide culturally safe and effective primary care for people of all nations that are both inclusionary and flexible for individuals with mental illness, as well as substance use disorder or concurrent disorders.
Job Summary:
The Primary Care Physician (0.5 FTE) will work in an environment dedicated to Indigenous health and wellness alongside and in collaboration with a team of primary care providers, including other Physicians, Nurses, and Nurse Practitioners. This team aims to provide culturally safe and effective primary care for people of all nations that is both inclusionary and flexible for individuals with mental illness, substance use disorder, or concurrent disorders. Our goal is to “decolonize” the system of primary care delivery in a way that holds true to the “patient medical home” model of care. The PC Physician must support continuous quality improvement and is supported to be involved in education and research activities. The PC Physician should embrace the core values of Kilala Lelum, which include: the promotion of equity & wellness, respect, kindness, anti-racism, and Indigenous cultures and knowledge. KL Physicians will make explicit efforts to establish and maintain trusting relationships with members and their families and Vancouver’s Indigenous community more broadly. Under the guidance of the Primary Care Co-Leads, KL Physicians work to uphold best practice guidelines and, in conjunction with the Indigenous Health Lead, help create a working partnership model of care with Indigenous Elders and traditional Knowledge Keepers. The aim of this collaboration is to facilitate the inclusion of Indigenous health and wellness practices and approaches in the primary care setting.
This role will also work closely with a multidisciplinary team of Medical Office Assistants, Elders, Outreach Workers, Social Navigators, Dieticians, Counsellors, and Peers/Community Health Workers.
Qualifications & Skills:
● A medical degree, CCFP (or equivalent) license for independent medical practice from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC and CMPA or equivalent malpractice insurance coverage. Preference will be given to candidates who are Indigenous and to those with significant lived experience working with Indigenous people.
● A strong preference will be given to those with expert knowledge of inner-city primary care and substance use disorders. Pediatric and obstetrical experience is an asset. A commitment to ongoing professional development in Indigenous Cultural Safety is an expectation.
● A commitment to developing knowledge and relationships that will support the facilitation of patient access to Indigenous healing modalities; knowledge of the social, political, and historical impacts of colonization on the health and well-being of Indigenous Peoples; knowledge of legislation and government policies and procedures that impact Indigenous Peoples’ health; and a broad knowledge of Indigenous cultures within North America.
● Ability to work alongside and in partnership with colleagues to help the Primary Care team achieve its aims and objectives.
● Ability to work with individuals with diverse backgrounds, adjust to new or unexpected events, the skills and experience to deal with and/or guide others in resolution of conflicts, and a willingness to provide consultation, leadership, and work direction.
● An acceptable Criminal Record Check and in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC.
Supervision Provided:
This position is supervised by the Primary Care Co-Leads and the Executive Director. Physician responsibilities will take place at 626 Powell Street during the clinic’s operating hours (approx. 9-5pm). The role includes occasional outreach by physicians with the support of outreach teams. Administrative duties can be completed on- or offsite.
Remuneration:
KL Physicians are paid a competitive hourly rate via biweekly payroll. Compensation is in line with an APP (Alternative Payment Program) model supported by VCH and the First Nations Aboriginal Primary Care Network.
Hours: Working hours between Monday-Friday 9am-5pm; option to be added to weekend on-call group
Other relevant information: Preference will be given to candidates with Indigenous ancestry and to those with significant lived experience working with Indigenous people.
