FNHA Overview
About us
The First Nations Health Authority is a diverse and transformational health organization of professional, innovative, and dedicated team members and leaders.

The first of its kind in Canada, FNHA works as a health-and-wellness partner with BC First Nations to support self-determination and decision-making to improve health outcomes.

FNHA is proud to have been named one of BC's Top Employers for 2025. Learn more about why we were selected here.


Overview
Join the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) on their historic journey to support self-determination and decision-making for BC First Nations, improving health outcomes in a culturally safe manner. As a Psychiatrist in the Virtual Psychiatry Service program, you will contribute to the accessibility of primary health care services for Indigenous individuals with limited access.


Operating within a culturally humble and team-based environment, you will provide whole person care that recognizes physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects. This is an opportunity to make a real impact and be part of a unique organization that values respect, kindness, and personal wellness. Join FNHA and be a catalyst for positive change in BC's healthcare landscape.


About this opportunity

Overhead expenses will be covered by the FNHA as part of the contract;
Flexible schedules and virtual care environment that fits your availability. Virtual Psychiatry operates Monday to Friday and is closed on all statutory holidays and Indigenous recognition;
Team members work one day a week from 9am-4pm and are responsible for lab results, etc between work days if urgent; and
Team based care with allied health and addictions specialists to support your patient population.
First Nations Virtual Substance Use and Psychiatry Service (SUPS)
Title: Psychiatrist – Service Contract
Contract: Contract- 1 (one) day per week
Location: Virtual – Anywhere in BC (must reside in British Columbia)

The compensation rate is $226.92 hourly - Specialist - Psychiatry classification (April 1, 2024 rate)

About the role
The Virtual Psychiatry Service provides individuals with access to specialists in psychiatry. This is a non-urgent, referral-based service that is available to all Indigenous people and their family members living in BC, including family members who are not Indigenous.

Specialists are dedicated to the principles and practices of cultural safety and humility, and to delivering trauma-informed care. Given the need in this province, we do one-time only consults and return patients to their MRPs.


The goals of the service are to:

Provide direct virtual access to psychiatric care for First Nations people and their families.
Provide psychiatry services where every client encounter is aligned with the principles and practices of cultural safety and humility.
Provide psychiatry services where collaborative care planning and wraparound care services are integral to all client encounters.
The Psychiatrist will be responsible for practicing with cultural humility, to provide psychiatrist services in a culturally safe, team-based environment that recognizes the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of the client (and family) to provide whole person care, in compliance with policies and procedures of acceptable BC health and wellness regulations and standards.

About you

You have an active practicing license in good standing with the College of Physicians of BC (CPSBC);
You are a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada, Division of Medicine (FRCPC);
You are a resident of British-Columbia.
You are available for one full working day per week

Experience

You have a minimum of 5 years of recent related experience;
You have experience working with and delivering health services to First Nations clients;
You have training in anti-Indigenous racism response and cultural safety and humility;
You have experience integrating holistic Indigenous approaches with Western approaches; and
You are well-versed in accessing and treating complicated presentations that often include ADHD and PTSD.
Knowledge

You have strong knowledge of cultural safety, humility and trauma informed approaches to care;
You have knowledge of, and ability to apply, an understanding of First Nations cultural principles and protocols in work situations;
You have a sound ability to practice using culturally safe and trauma-informed approaches;
You have the ability to apply a two-eyed seeing approach to balance western and Traditional Indigenous worldviews in practice;
You have an understanding of own intersectionality, power, privilege, and how these concepts may impact own work and perspectives;
You have an understanding of rural and remote communities and their inherent challenges and barriers;
You have the ability to create and foster a healthy and engaging environment that enables personal excellence, and contributes to FNHA’s vision of “Health through Wellness” and cultural safety and humility in the workplace;
You have knowledge of health status of populations, inequities in health, the determinants of health and illness, principals of primary care, strategies for health promotion, disease and injury prevention, health protection, curative, urgent and emergent care, rehabilitation and supportive or palliative care;
You have demonstrated understanding and integration of Trauma Informed Practice to care;
You will have the physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
The First Nations Health Authority is committed to respecting diversity within our workforce; preference will be given to individuals who identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis.

Leading with culture, all FNHA employees complete San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training.

How to apply
If this sounds like the opportunity for you, please click on the 'Apply for Job' button

Qualifications:
Current College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC) License (Full); Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) (Mandatory); Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada (FRCPC) (Mandatory)