The Rural Continuing Medical Education (RCME) program provides physicians with funding opportunities for medical education to update and enhance medical skills and credentials required for rural practice. These benefits are in addition to the CME entitlement provided for in the Benefits Subsidiary Agreement between the BC Government and the BCMA.
The Program
- Administered and managed by the health authorities according to the policies established by the JSC.
- Physicians may use funds for individual or group education purposes.
- Funds may be used to:
- Cover overhead expenses while attending medical training.
- Purchase new technology or upgrades necessary for participation in CME.
- Physicians can transfer unspent/banked funds to another health authority when relocating to another community eligible under the RSA.
- A physician can bank RCME funds for up to three years.
Eligibility
- Physicians must be living and working in one of the eligible RSA communities for a minimum of 9 months.
- A physician who qualifies for RCME, who does not stay in a community covered by this agreement for a minimum of 12 months, is eligible for a pro-rated amount.
- Ability to access RCME amount earned continues for up to two years following the year in which it was earned.
Click here to review the RCME Policy Manual.
A physician’s annual RCME allowance is dependent on the designation of his or her community, and the length of time he or she has practiced in that community.
|
Community |
2 years or less |
3 – 4 years |
More than 4 years |
Isolation Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
A |
$ 1,320.00 |
$ 3,520.00 |
$ 5,720.00 |
20 or more |
|
B |
$ 440.00 |
$ 2,640.00 |
$ 4,840.00 |
15 to 19.9 |
|
C |
$ 0.00 |
$ 2,200.00 |
$ 4,400.00 |
6 to 14.9 |
|
D |
$ 0.00 |
$ 1,100.00 |
$ 2,200.00 |
0.5 to 5.9 |
Click here for further information on how the isolation points are calculated for your community.
Your RCME health authority contacts are listed below:
Vancouver Island Health Authority
Christine Jeffrey, Leader, Physician Compensation
ph: 250 755-7691 ext. 56907
christine.jeffrey@viha.ca
Interior Health Authority
Ev Kroschinsky, Physician Compensation Assistant
ph: 250 862-4418
ev.kroschinsky@interiorhealth.ca
Gina Sloan, Physician Support
ph: 250 870-4607
gina.sloan@interiorhealth.ca
Northern Health Authority
Physician Compensation
ph: 250 565-2089
Physician.Compensation@northernhealth.ca
Vancouver Coastal Health Authority
Barb Fiddler, Physician Compensation and Relations
ph: 604 984-5783
Barbara.Fiddler@vch.ca
Fraser Health Authority
Peter Owen, Director, Medical Affairs
ph: 604 587-4403
Peter.Owen@fraserhealth.ca
Nisga’a
Harold Olson, Finance Manager
ph: 250 663-5051
holson@nisgaahealth.bc.ca
