Psychiatry in Saskatchewan

Psychiatry in Saskatchewan

Opportunities in Saskatchewan

Practice Profile

Psychiatrists throughout the province work closely with collegial multi-disciplinary teams to provide clinical consultation and continuing medical care. This is delivered through acute care, emergency departments and inpatient units, private clinics, rural clinics and collaborative specialized programs such as mental health and addictions.

Opportunities are available in General Psychiatry; as well as Child and Adolescent, Forensic and Geriatrics sub-specialties. Physicians have the opportunity to teach undergraduate and post-graduate education at the University of Saskatchewan (USask). USask is a research-intensive institution with approximately 26,000 students and 6,500 faculty and staff with campuses throughout the province and a strong reputation for innovation and excellence. It is home to two of the largest science projects in the country – the Canadian Light Source synchrotron and the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac).

Create your physician profile and we will connect you with a Recruitment Consultant today. We can guide you through the licensing process, connect you with physicians and communities, and inform you of job opportunities.

Qualifications

You must be eligible for a provisional or regular licence with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan to practise in the province. Requirements include:

• Certification or eligible for certification from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
• For internationally trained psychiatrists:
  • Through the Approved-Jurisdiction Route, a ruling confirming eligibility to take the Royal College examination in primary specialty or certification letter; or
  • Through the Practice Eligibility Route, a ruling letter confirming a pass standing on the Royal College examination in primary specialty
• Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part 1 and/or Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada
• Have been in active independent practice within the past three (3) years and have practiced a minimum of five (5) months in the past five (5) years
• Discipline-specific postgraduate training approved by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

Additional qualifications may be required and are listed on each posting.

A local perspective

Dr. Mela, Department of Psychiatry Professor at the University of Saskatchewan (USask), is an academic forensic psychiatrist and a founder of the forensic subspecialty in Canada. He is the director of the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science and Justice Studies at USask. His research focuses on psycholegal aspects of forensic mental health, with specific interests and expertise in the area of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). He is a lead researcher with the Canada FASD research network (CanFASD).

Remuneration

Psychiatrists are remunerated in a variety of ways, including fee-for-service and contract arrangements. Career options for psychiatrists may include clinical, teaching, research, leadership and on-call services. The approximate value of a full-time contract for psychiatry in Saskatchewan was approximately $480,000 (as of 2024).

Saskatchewan Practice Incentives

Psychiatrists in Saskatchewan may be eligible for up to $200,000 over five years if practising in an eligible community! Learn more about the Psychiatry Recruitment and Retention Incentive.

Recruitment and relocation incentives may be available The Saskatchewan Medical Association offers the following benefits:

• Specialist Recruitment Incentive | $30,000 may be available for eligible specialists who establish a practice in Saskatchewan and remain for 36 months in a community.
• Parental Leave Fund | The program provides up to $2,000 per week for up to 20 weeks to a physician who is taking a maternity, paternity or adoption leave from clinical practice.
• Continuing Medical Education (CME) Fund | Assists physicians with costs up to $3,500 associated with CME courses and materials.
• Retention Fund | Provides financial rewards to physicians who practice in the province for extended periods of time. Depending on years of service the range is $7,000 to $14,000 per year (based on full-time practice).
• Canadian Medical Protective Association Reimbursement Fund | Rebates Saskatchewan physicians the fees associated with medical malpractice insurance premiums.
• Insurance | Insurance products are available including disability, life, office overhead (business expense), extended medical and dental benefits, accidental death and dismemberment, medical office property, and benefits for employees of medical offices.

Saskatchewan quick facts:

• Population of 1.2 million
• Two urban centres with populations of over 250,000
• Low cost of living with the average price of a home of C$360,500 in April 2025
• Average working commute of less than 20 minutes
• Known as the sunniest province in Canada, with nearly 2,400 sunny hours per year
• Over 100,000 freshwater lakes, boreal forests, sand dunes and prairies offering lots of room to play
• Only 45 minutes to cottage country from most communities

About the Saskatchewan Health Authority:

• Largest employer in Saskatchewan with over 40,000 employees
• 120 psychiatrists licensed in Saskatchewan
• Provides health services including acute care, public health, primary care, home and community services, and mental health and addiction services
• Fosters opportunities for clinical work, research, teaching and academic appointments with the University of Saskatchewan
• Among the most advanced mental health treatment centres in Canada, the Saskatchewan Hospital North Battleford is a state-of-the-art psychiatric facility with an integrated secure unit
• The Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital opened in Saskatoon in 2019