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Psychiatry Recruitment and Retention Incentive

Learn about the Psychiatry Recruitment and Retention Incentive in Saskatchewan, offering up to $200,000 for eligible psychiatrists practising in select communities.

Incentive Overview

The Psychiatry Recruitment and Retention Incentive supports psychiatrists who provide full-time service in qualifying Saskatchewan communities. 

Eligible physicians may receive up to $200,000 over five years.

Program Conditions:

  • Physicians must apply each year and meet all criteria to receive the incentive. 
  • Payments are issued after each completed year of service.
  • The incentive may only be received once in a lifetime.
  • Program criteria may change at any time.

Eligibility Conditions:

  • Eligibility is assessed annually. 
  • To remain eligible, physicians must practise in the same community for five consecutive years.
  • Eligibility in one year does not guarantee eligibility in future years.
  • Physicians providing locum services or who relocate within Saskatchewan do not qualify.

Who is eligible?

To be eligible for the incentive, specialist psychiatrist applicants must meet all the following criteria:

  • be new to practice in Saskatchewan
  • be privileged and credentialed as a physician with the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) 
  • hold an active licence and be in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan (CPSS) 
  • establish full-time psychiatry practice on or after June 1, 2023, in an eligible community, including:
    • Lloydminster, Moose Jaw, North Battleford, Prince Albert, Swift Current, Weyburn and Yorkton.
  • provide at least 220 days of psychiatry service and fully participate in on-call in the eligible community
  • provide service during at least 10 of the previous 12 months of each year.

Incentive Amount 

Eligible psychiatrists may qualify for up to $200,000 over five years.

Payment Schedule: 

  • Year 1 – $40,000 after 12 months of practice
  • Year 2 – $40,000 after 24 months of practice
  • Year 3 – $20,000 after 36 months of practice
  • Year 4 – $50,000 after 48 months of practice
  • Year 5 – $50,000 after 60 months of practice

How do I apply?

Please direct inquiries to physicianincentives@saskhealthauthority.ca.  

Adjudication

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) administers the program under the following considerations:

  • The incentive period begins on the date the physician starts full-time practice in an eligible community.
  • Applications are adjudicated after 12 months of service have been completed (adjusted for any approved leaves).
  • The eligibility date for each year of the incentive may be adjusted if the physician takes an approved leave from practice during the year (e.g., parental, health or training leaves).
    • Other leaves resulting in a gap in practice are adjudicated on an individual basis by the SHA and the Ministry of Health.
  • Physicians must complete the full 12 months of each year of service to receive the incentive.
    • No payments will be made if fewer than 10 of the 12 months are considered complete.
    • The incentive is not pro-rated if fewer than 220 days of service are completed in a 12-month period.
  • Payments are issued at the end of each completed service year if all eligibility criteria are met.

Questions?

For more information, contact:

Saskatchewan Health Authority
Provincial Practitioner Staff Affairs
physicianincentives@saskhealthauthority.ca 


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