Our best tips on how find your first job opportunity and begin your professional obligations
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We offer several seminars in the Transition Into Practice series that will help you develop your career goals and opportunities. Many of these sessions were designed with both Family Medicine and Royal College residents in mind. We recommend the following topics for everyone:
- Physician heal thyself: 4 supports to know about at the beginning of your residency
- How to get ahead quick: Tips for using Pathways
- CMPA – Safe medical care
- Licensing, credentialing and hospital privileges
- MSP Fees, billing and audit
Please visit the Events page to register for all sessions.
Transition Into Practice Events
How to maintain an up-to-date CV
Having an up-to-date and professional looking medical style CV is important to maintain. The best model to start with is standardized for UBC Faculty of Medicine and if you choose this option, it will save you considerable time. You are generally expected to update your CV annually and provide it to your department for renewal of UBC teaching appointment. You may also need it for renewing hospital privileges.
An alternative option is provided at Health Match BC. Health Match BC is a free health professional recruitment service funded by the Government of B.C. The site offers a database — searchable by profession and region — of all part-time, full-time, and locum positions listed by B.C.’s health authorities. You can find their examples here. Health Match BC guide: Preparing a medical CV. A cover letter may be needed to apply for a job posting or a locum position.
How to prepare for an interview
After graduation, interviews become more targeted and less generic. It may still be helpful to review sample questions and some of these are provided at Health Match BC . However, be prepared to discuss your relevant experiences and skills including leadership roles. Most interviewers provide an opportunity to ask questions at the end and your thoughtfulness may set you apart. It is worth taking the time to learn about the position/facility/community that is being offered.
How to find a job posting
- BC Medical Journal (BCMJ) employment classifieds section
- Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) has a classified section. Click here to see the most recent edition.
More information for Family Medicine trainees:
This module from UBC CPD is a valuable review of the basic requirements for maintaining competency as per the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) and describes how physicians can access available CME/CPD funding.
Continuous Learning & Practice Improvement for Family Physicians
Specific career development seminars we have designed to help you are:
- Family Medicine Job Landscape 1.0: What job opportunities are available out there
- Locum Pay vs Anchored Physician Pay
- How to pick your first locum clinic
- Wait, I’m not done learning? Navigating Mainpro+
How to find a job posting
- BC Medical Journal (BCMJ) employment classifieds section
- Divisions of Family Practice
There are currently 35 Divisions of Family Practice in B.C. These divisions are community-based groups of family physicians working together to achieve common health care goals, including GP recruitment. Visit their website to browse by region. - Locum Listings at the Society of General Practitioners of BC provides an up-to-date list of GP locum positions available throughout the province.
- Locums.ca is a physician-run website featuring resources and jobs in Canada, especially for BC.
- If offered, Job Fair at the Practice Survival Skills Conference hosted by UBC’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
More information for Royal College trainees:
This module from UBC CPD is a valuable review of the basic requirements for maintaining competency as per the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)
and describes how physicians can access available CME/CPD funding.
Continuous Learning & Practice Improvement for Specialists
In addition, we offer several seminars in the Transition Into Practice series that will help you develop your career goals and opportunities. Many of these sessions were designed with both Family Medicine and Royal College residents in mind. We recommend the following topics for everyone:
- Physician heal thyself: 4 supports to know about at the beginning of your residency
- How to get ahead quick: Tips for using Pathways
- CMPA – Safe medical care
- Licensing, credentialing and hospital privileges
- MSP Fees, billing and audit
Specific career development seminars we have designed to help you are:
- Are there any jobs out there? Help for Specialty Residents
- Maintenance of Certification of New to Practice: A first time user’s guide for specialty residents
Please visit the Events page to register for all sessions.
Are you considering rural practice?
The landscape of medical practice in BC is changing dramatically. More and more rural communities offer attractive practice options.
Check-out HealthMatch BC for current postings.
Did you know that there is an established mentoring program for physicians who are new to rural practice in BC? This Rural Mentoring Program is available both to Family Physicians and Specialist. Click this link to learn more about this opportunity.
Every year, we offer a session on the Rural Education Action Plan, which supports all UBC residents including those transitioning into rural practice. Join us for a guided tour of the buffet of options supporting physicians who practice in smaller communities and rural areas. Many of these consultation services are available in real time.
To register, please visit our Events page.
