PCN 2.0 Update: Expansion & Optimization

This past summer, the Ministry of Health approved additional funding to expand the Kootenay Boundary PCN. The PCN implementation team has begun work to use these new funds to hire NP, RN, and Allied Health resources into new PCN clinics. 

To date, we have onboarded RNs to five new PCN clinics in Castlegar, Nelson, and Rossland. We have also hired two new Nurse Practitioners (one in Nelson and one in Rossland), and have two additional NP positions currently posted (one in Nelson and one in Fruitvale). Our next round of hiring will include new Social Work positions serving six new PCN clinics in Castlegar, Nelson, Rossland, and Fruitvale. 

We are also in the process of increasing the regional PCN resources that are available to clinics across the region. These include a second regional Dietitian, a new regional RN and Social Worker, a new Occupational Therapist to serve the Nelson CHSA,  and a new Aboriginal Health Lead to support the Aboriginal Health team.  

As part of the growth of our PCN, the Ministry of Health expanded access to new-to-practice (NTP) physician contracts. We currently have 6 NTP physicians working in Kootenay Boundary (including 5 who began their contracts in 2022), and the NTP contract continues to offer an appealing compensation option to physicians looking to build a new panel in BC. 

For more information about the KB PCN, please reach out to PCN Co-leads Julius Halaschek-Wiener or Nikko Snyder.

*New* Guide for Clinics on how to use the KB Health Connect Registry 

The KB HCR Guide for Clinics is a newly developed resource to support clinics in how to best utilize the Kootenay Boundary Health Connect Registry (KB HCR), a centralized registry for unattached patients seeking a primary care provider in the region.  Whether it’s streamlining the management of patient waitlists, referring priority unattached patients, supporting your clinic when a practitioner retires or departs, or finding the right balance of new patients when you’re ready to attach, the HCR can help!  Check out this guide to learn more about how to use the KB HCR to support your clinic.

Optimizing your Practice: WorkSafeBC and Safety at your Workplace

Doctors of BC and WorkSafeBC have partnered to develop resources to help physicians understand what they need to know to have a safe and healthy workplace in their clinics, including how to identify and meet WorkSafeBC’s regulatory requirements for their practice. The resources include case studies to help physicians understand office-based strategies to enhance the safety of their practice, staff, patients, and themselves and also include some "I wish I had known this" reflections from colleagues.  A recording of the webinar is now available, in addition to the  slide deck and  important resources which outline key takeaways from the webinar.

*New* MOA HR Toolkit

The MOA HR Toolkit is a newly developed resource to support your clinic on the MOA recruitment and retention journey - from recruiting and onboarding to performance evaluation and professional development.  Designed to be a one-stop hub for clinic managers and office leads, the site is full of useful HR tools and resources, including downloadable templates that can be fully customized to suit your clinic’s needs. Visit moatoolkit.ca to  see all this handy resource has to offer.

Updated CBT Skills Group Program Poster for Patients 

A refreshed patient-focused poster for the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Skills Group program featuring inclusive language and imagery is now available. Please replace any CBT Skills Group posters in your clinic that were included in the October KB Division mail out with the revised version which you can download here. Hard copies will be sent in the next KB Division mail out.

The CBT Skills Group program is a MSP-funded, evidence-based program  to help patients learn practical tools to improve their mental health as part of a group medical visit for 8 weeks. See the CBT Skills Group website for information about the program and how to refer. Physicians are invited to join a CBT physician wellness group and to consider becoming a facilitator for the program in the KB region. 

PCN Staff Learning Labs

Learning Labs are monthly facilitated sessions designed to create and foster a culture of learning, sharing and collaboration in the PCN. Focused on a different topic each month, these sessions are open and inclusive, promoting interprofessional learning and problem solving through curiosity, compassion and connection. 

The PCN Learning Lab typically takes place on the first Thursday of the month from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.  While Learning Labs have, to date, been primarily attended by PCN staff, practitioners, MOAs, and clinic teams are encouraged to attend. The unique format of Learning Labs helps to unleash the collective intelligence of the group, supporting the interprofessional learning and collaboration that is essential to the values and vision of the PCN. 

Recent Learning Lab Presentations

At the November Learning Lab, PCN Aboriginal Health Liaison Christy Anderson joined the Lab to present on Indigenous Allyship and the process of developing the characteristics of allyship in our clinical practices and other areas of life. A copy of Christy’s presentation can be found here.

In December, the Learning Lab explored the  Assessment and Treatment of Patient Anxiety in Primary Care. Members of Castlegar Medical Clinic’s PCN team (including Deb Martens, SW, Britt Rosberg, RN, and Dr. Andree-Anne Cromp)  presented on this important aspect of primary care. 

Upcoming Learning Lab Session 

• Jan 12, 2023 (10:45 AM - 11:45 AM)  - “Skills and boundaries around working with people with borderline personality disorder” - Jenny Hide, PCN SW, Tara Emery, PCN SW

If you are interested in attending the PCN Staff Learning Lab please contact Alicia Pace, PCN Learning Lab Lead for invite information.

Welcoming New Staff 

November:
Debbie Fink, RN, Castlegar Medical Associates Clinic and Castlegar NP Clinic
Jennifer Crockett, NP, Rock Creek Medical Clinic
Pamela Hanson, RN, Salmo Wellness Centre 

December:
Lynne Staples, PT, Castlegar Medical Clinic

Welcoming New PCN Clinics

Castlegar Medical Associates, Castlegar
Cheryl McDowell, NP,  Castlegar Health Centre 
Ancron Medical Centre, Nelson 
Kootenay Lake Medical Clinic, Nelson
Monashee Medical Clinic, Rossland
Associate Medical Clinic, Rossland
Beaver Valley Medical Clinic, Fruitvale
Kobayashi and MacIntyre MD, Nelson

Staffing Changes

RN Kelsey Neufeld is now supporting Kootenay Lake Medical Clinic, Ancron Medical Clinic and Kobayashi and MacIntyre in Nelson.

RN Jennifer Rossi is now supporting Associate Medical Clinic and Beaver Valley Medical Clinic (Fruitvale).

RD Harley Doerr has moved to a permanent 0.6 FTE regional role and will continue to support with extra days until the 1.0 FTE temporary position is filled