Canada has long appealed to those seeking adventure overseas and Alberta in particular can be an especially rewarding location for GPs – giving you the opportunity to combine the highest income in the country with a healthy work-life balance, against the backdrop of one of the most breath-taking provinces in the country.
Ranked highly in international measurements of general well-being and standards of living, Canada has a liberal outlook and a multi-ethnic mix, promoting a culture of acceptance and social equality in a country where free healthcare is a fundamental right and the medical facilities are world-class.
Working as a GP
Head Medical will shortly be hosting two FREE client-led 1-hour information sessions in Ireland, for GPs interested in discovering the benefits of living and working in Alberta, Canada:
Dublin - Saturday 1st November
Cork - Sunday 2nd November
This is a fantastic opportunity to meet our client, who is well established in the province with centrally located clinics in both Edmonton and Calgary, to discuss the benefits and practicalities of working in this stunning location.
As a physician in Alberta your focus will be on your patients and practicing medicine, with the administrative components of managing a practice taken care of to allow you the time to devote to your patients as well as your personal quality of life.
Salary expectations are varied as you work on a “fee for service” basis but GPs in Alberta are amongst the highest paid in the world earning on average CAN $350k to $600k (£195k to £330k) per annum, with some GPs earning as much as $815k (£450k) per annum.
Relocation
Relocation packages vary by employer and location but most practices are more than happy to provide advice and some may even offer loans or financial assistance to further enhance their offer. There are even some who have programs to provide support throughout the registration and immigration process, assisting with guidance for eligibility with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) and the associated sponsorship requirements, alternatively it may be worth employing the services of a specialist international medical recruitment agency.
Jim Godsal, Business Development Director with Head Medical, explains “A well-established, specialist agency will have a dedicated team with expert knowledge of both this niche recruitment industry and the specific localities they are recruiting to. This combined understanding means that an agency is ideally placed to advise Doctors considering relocating on both a personal and professional level.
At Head Medical we offer comprehensive support throughout the relocation process, offering a dedicated Registration and Immigration expert to assist with the process of obtaining their medical license and work/residence visa through the various steps in the lodgement of each application, providing guidance as necessary and answering any queries which may arise.”
Requirements
To be considered for GP positions in Canada you must have MICGP or MRCGP (acquired through examination).
All international candidates, with the exception of American Board Certified doctors, also need to complete the Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Exam (MCCEE) before applying for a vacancy and must have passed this exam before beginning work in Canada. Further details on undertaking this straightforward 4 hour multiple choice computer based exam can be found on the Medical Council of Canada website – www.mcc.ca.
The Alberta Advantage
As vast as it is varied in both landscapes and experiences Alberta is home to the ruggedly beautiful Canadian Rocky Mountains the countryside boasts turquoise lakes, boreal forests, rushing rivers and rolling grasslands offering natural hot springs, views of the Northern Lights, endless scenic hikes and some of the world’s most popular ski-resorts.
State capital Edmonton offers all the convenience and choice of a big city with the charm of a small town and culture aplenty and with over 30 festivals throughout the year it’s little wonder it has a reputation as Canada’s ‘Festival City’. Set in the centre of the province on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River Edmonton is also a major hub for the country’s energy, mining and biotech industries.
Meanwhile, situated less than an hour’s drive from the majestic Rockies, Calgary is a diverse and prosperous city full of open spaces, parks and pathways with plenty of fresh air and more days of sunshine than any other major Canadian city.
If you think you might be interested in what Alberta has to offer, or wish to take advantage of the unique opportunity to meet with a representative from one of the healthcare groups based in the region, then please contact Yan Scouller on +44 (0)131 240 5274 or via yan@headmedical.com for further information or to reserve a place.