Message from the Program Manager
Dear valued Physicians,
As the situation around COVID-19 continues to evolve, I’m reaching out to share details about how Locums for Rural BC (LRBC) is responding to emerging realities. COVID-19 is proving to be a great test for us all, but rest assured we continue to operate – just differently. The team is currently working remotely and there will be some temporary policy and administrative changes to the BC Rural Locum Programs with immediate effect until June 30.
The situation is changing every day, which means that our response may need to adjust as well. We will be keeping you updated with the latest information as the situation progresses. Stay connected with us through email info@locumsruralbc.ca and through our website locumsruralbc.ca for updates and leave a voice message on the toll-free line 1 (877) 357-4757 with any questions and concerns and a member on our team will get back to you.
On behalf of the team at LRBC, you have our commitment to nimbly work with and support you, our members, both hosts and locums, and partners in providing the best care to British Columbian’s.
Healthy Wishes,
Temporary Administrative Changes
Assignment Cancellations
Where a host physician cancels a locum assignment, the program will endeavor to place the locum in another available locum assignment. If there is not a locum assignment available or, with reasonable justification for denying a different locum assignment, the locum will be paid one day of the daily rate if the assignment is cancelled 3 days or fewer from the start date.
Where a locum physician cancels an assignment, the host physician will be contacted to determine whether or not the assignment is “essential”. If it is essential, LRBC will endeavor to find a different locum for the assignment.
Assignment Confirmations for Urgent Circumstances
A locum physician may be recruited to a community for an assignment in an urgent/emergent situation and the confirmation from LRBC may occur by email if time does not permit paperwork to be completed prior to the start of the assignment. Paperwork will be completed as quickly as possible to ensure the Assignment of Payment form is uploaded to the payment system. Locums will be advised not to bill until the paperwork is complete.
In extenuating circumstances if an urgent situation occurs on a weekend or after hours the physician may commence a locum assignment in an eligible RSA community with the paperwork being completed as quickly as possible thereafter. This situation must be supported in writing by a medical director to Locums for Rural BC and the locum must not bill fee-for-service until the paperwork is complete.
Physicians Infected or Exposed to COVID-19
Should a locum physician, while on assignment, have to quarantine and be unable to travel to their home jurisdiction, their expenses (meal allowance and accommodation) will be paid. If they are able to continue to work by Telehealth the locum assignment can continue in that manner. If the locum physician is unwell and unable to work, the locum will be paid one day of the daily rate as a “stipend” type payment. Physicians so affected who are members of Doctors of BC are to contact the Insurance Department for details on insurance and benefits available.
If a host physician must be quarantined and they do not have any/enough locum days to cover the duration of the quarantine, the program will allow locum days to the community similar to vacancy days to cover for that physician.
Concierge Travel Services
Locum physicians are encouraged to use the LRBC concierge service so that the time-consuming administration of travel bookings, cancellations and resultant credits are borne by the program. Booking flights with options for greater flexibility is advisable. In order to provide flexibility, the most economical mode of transportation does not have to be taken in getting to and from an assignment.
Temporary Program Policy Changes
During this time the Locum Programs, needs to be nimble and able to react quickly to urgent/emergent situations arising in rural BC. In order to ensure there are enough locums to provide this type of service the following will be applied:
“Essential” Locum Assignments
To ensure there are enough locum physicians to provide services to urgent/emergent situations “essential” locum assignments being booked between April 5 and June 30, 2020 will be given priority. For this purpose, “essential” will be defined as: communities that have an outbreak; where a physician(s) has contracted the virus or need to self-isolate; where it is required for a physician’s mental health; or where there is significant stress.
Number of Locum Days
Locum assignments will be approved regardless of the number of days requested and the minimum number of days’ requirement will not be enforced.
Provide Support to ALL RSA communities
Locums for Rural BC will allow all Rural Subsidiary Agreement (RSA) communities to access the three locum programs (Rural General Practitioner Locum Program, Rural General Practitioner Anesthesia Locum Program and Rural Specialist Locum Program) to help with a community outbreak; exposure or active COVID-19 outbreak of health care workers in the community; physician mental health or stress related issues related to COVID-19. These would be additional resources sent into a community and require the support of the Health Authority Medical Director.
Locum Assistance by Telehealth
If a locum physician cannot be recruited physically into the community, support via Telehealth is allowed if supported by the community/host physician and the Health Authority Medical Director where additional resources are sent into a community. Please email info@locumsruralbc.ca or leave a detailed message on at 1 (877) 357-4757 for further information on your situation.
HEABC Recruitment Solutions
HEABC’s Recruitment Solutions is responsible for the implementation and management of strategic and innovative programs that support the recruitment and retention of health professionals in British Columbia.
HEABC Recruitment Solutions includes:
Locums for Rural BC
Health Match BC
Practice Ready Assessment BC
BC Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry
Locum Availability Calendar
Click here to watch the full interview with veteran locum physician, Dr. Bennett-Boutilier.
On assignment in Clearwater, BC, Dr. Bennett-Boutilier talks about creativity when practising rural medicine and why providing locum services is so rewarding for her.
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Locums for Rural BC BC recognizes and acknowledges that all provincial public health opportunities and facilities are located on the ancestral and unceded territories of the Indigenous Peoples of British Columbia. As visitors, we feel it’s important to acknowledge the importance of these lands, which we each call home. We reaffirm our commitment and responsibility to improving our own understanding of local Indigenous peoples and their cultures.
Locums for Rural BC provides full support and assistance to family physicians and specialists practicing in rural communities across British Columbia, so that they can take reasonable periods of leave from their practices for vacation, health needs and continuing medical education (CME).
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