Recruitment Incentive Fund (RIF)
Recruitment incentives are financial benefits available to physicians recruited to fill vacancies or pending vacancies that are part of a Physician Supply Plan in communities listed under the RSA.
The Program
- The incentive amounts vary based on the community designation as follows:
- 'A' Communities: $20,000
- 'B' Communities: $15,000
- 'C' Communities: $10,000
- 'D' Communities: $ 5,000
- Note that there are only 2 designations for communities in Northern British Columbia: all communities in Northern BC are designated "A" communities - with the one exception being Prince George which is a "B" community.
- Funding is pro-rated for physicians working less than full-time.
- A physician is obligated to repay this benefit if he or she leaves the community less than one year after commencing work.
Eligibility
- Any physician recruited to fill a vacancy or pending vacancy in an RSA community.
- Physicians must be recruited from outside of eligible RSA communities.
Recruitment Contingency Fund (RCF)
A specific recruitment fund was established as an incentive to assist communities served by the RSA with recruiting expenses where the difficulty in filling a vacancy is, or is expected to be, especially severe and where the failure to fill the vacancy in a timely manner would have a significant impact on the delivery of medical care required by the health authorities Physician Supply Plan. To be eligible for these funds, physicians must be recruited from outside of eligible RSA communities.
The Program
Physicians may receive a grant from this fund for one of two purposes:
- To cover recruiting expenses (i.e. advertising, interview visits and relocation expenses).
- To supplement the recruitment incentive fund benefit.
More information about the various rural incentive programs and benefits can be found on the Rural Coordination Center of BC website.