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 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.

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 license with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan (CPSS) to practice in Saskatchewan. Requirements include:

• Certification or eligible for certification from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCSPC);
  For internationally trained Psychiatrists:
  • Through the Approved-Jurisdiction Route, a ruling confirming eligibility to take the Royal College certifying examination in primary specialty or certification letter; or
  • Through the Practice Eligibility Route, a ruling letter confirming a pass standing on the Royal College certifying examination in primary specialty;
• Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part 1 and/or Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC);
• 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, Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Saskatchewan, is an academic forensic psychiatrist and a Founder of the forensic subspecialty in Canada. He is also the current director of the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science and Justice Studies at the University of Saskatchewan. 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 Canada FASD research network (CanFASD).

Remuneration

Psychiatrists are remunerated in a variety of ways, including fee-for-service and contract arrangements. Career options for psychiatry physicians 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

You may be eligible for up to $200,000 over 5 years if you are practicing Psychiatry 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 services the range is $7,000 to $14,000 per year (based on full-time practice).
• Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) 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 centers with populations of over 250,000
• Low cost of living with the average price of a home in April 2023 of $323,600 CAD
• Average working commute of less than 20 minutes
• Known as the sunniest province in Canada, with nearly 2400 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 (SHA):

• We are the largest employer in Saskatchewan with over 40,000 employees
• Currently, there are 120 Psychiatrists licensed in Saskatchewan
• We provide health services including acute care, public health, primary care, home and community services, and mental health and addiction services
• SHA fosters opportunities for clinical work, research, teaching, and academic appointments with the University of Saskatchewan
• Replacing the original hospital built in 1939, the new Saskatchewan Hospital North Battleford (SHNB) is a state-of-the art psychiatric facility with an integrated secure unit. It is among the most advanced mental health treatment centres in Canada
• The  Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital opened in Saskatoon in 2019.