General Pathology

Role and Facility Overview

Penticton is a scenic interior city in British Columbia surrounded by mountain slopes, clay cliffs, Okanagan and Skaha Lake. It offers a warm climate, more than 2,000 hours of sunshine each year, and a lifestyle that blends outdoor recreation, local dining, wineries, shopping, beaches, and winter sports with the conveniences of a larger city and the friendliness of a smaller community.

About Penticton Regional Hospital

Penticton Regional Hospital is a 158-bed acute care facility in the Okanagan Health Service Area that provides core medical and surgical specialty services to a surrounding population of roughly 90,000 people. Services at the hospital include 24-hour emergency and trauma care, acute care, ambulatory and outpatient clinics, and diagnostic/paramedical services.

As a secondary referral centre for the South Okanagan and Similkameen Valley, the hospital works with a strong group of medical and surgical specialists. Diagnostic support includes excellent radiology access with on-site CT and part-time MRI, plus a seven-bed ICU. The hospital also acts as a referral base for hematology and transfusion medicine for smaller hospitals in Oliver and Princeton.

In 2019, phase one of the David E. Kampe Tower was opened, adding a new ambulatory care centre, surgical services centre, 84 inpatient beds in single-patient rooms, a modern medical device reprocessing unit, and space for the UBC Faculty of Medicine Program. Phase two will expand the emergency department to four times its previous size through renovations to the existing hospital.

Practice Details

The hospital is looking for a General Pathologist with AP/CP training to join a pathology team of 4.8 FTE. The practice handles about 10,000 surgical pathology cases each year, which includes approximately 17,000 LFE, along with 100 bone marrow biopsies, 500 cytopathology cases, and 50 autopsy cases annually. The role also includes quality assurance work and teaching medical and laboratory students.

Most of the work is covered through the provincial contract, while additional fee-for-service billing may be available for bone marrow procedures and coroner autopsies. The group works closely with local physicians and surgical teams and plays an important consultative role in the broader diagnostic process.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The preferred applicant is an experienced general pathologist. Additional experience in dermatopathology, breast pathology, or gastrointestinal pathology would be considered an advantage. Strong communication skills and the ability to build effective working relationships with hospital and laboratory teams are essential.

Leadership Opportunity

Physicians interested in leadership may also explore Interior Health’s NAVIG8 Emerging Physician Leaders Program, which is designed to help emerging physician leaders build the practical knowledge, behaviours, and skills needed for early leadership roles.

Compensation and Incentives

Compensation is offered as a clinical service contract, with remuneration based on the provincially negotiated grid level. Relocation support is available at $9,000 to $15,000. This relocation assistance applies to 1.0 FTE positions and is based on the origin of the move, with eligible receipts required. Part-time roles may qualify for a prorated amount, subject to discussion with the Medical Staff Recruiter. Incentive amounts may change and are confirmed at the time of offer.

Additional Notes

This is an opportunity to live, work, and enjoy a highly desirable region while contributing to an important regional pathology service.