Community InformationThe Town of Smithers is situated in the Bulkley Valley of northwestern British Columbia directly on the Trans Canada Yellowhead Highway (Route 16), approximately half way between the cities of Prince Rupert and Prince George.
Smithers is a town of 6,000 people and is a regional service center for the entire Bulkley Valley and because of this, Smithers offers many more amenities than you would normally see in a town of this size. From its position in the Bulkley Valley, Smithers is set against the backdrop of the Hudson Bay Mountain to the west and the Babine Mountain range to the east.
Smithers offers outstanding outdoor recreational pursuits during all phases of the year. This includes fishing and hunting, downhill and cross-country skiing, golfing, snowmobiling, canoeing and kayaking and many more activities too numerous to list. Coupled with a range of urban features such as cultural pursuits and indoor recreation opportunities, Smithers has something for everyone.
INDUSTRY:
Forestry, logging and tourismPopulation
Town Population: 5,404 (BC Stats, 2011 Census)
Ages of Population: 0-17: 24.5% 18-24: 11.1% 25-64: 52.9% 65+: 11.5% (BC Stats, 2010 Figures)Health Administrative Information
Health Authority: Northern Health
Health Service Delivery Area: Northwest
Regional District: Bulkley-Nechako
Rural Designation: RSA community
RRP Designation: A
RRP Points: 33
Practitioners + Clinic information
General Practitioners: 25 (www.cpsbc.ca)
Clinics Central Square Medical Clinic Box 3760, 1209 Main Street Smithers, BC, V0J 2N0 P: 250 847-8761 Hrs: 9 am - 5pm Smithers Community Health Bag 5000, 3793 Alfred Avenue Smithers, BC, V0J 2N0 P: 250 847-6400 | F: 250 847-5908 Broadway Medical Clinic 3851 Broadway Smithers, BC, V0J 2N0 P: 250 847-3097 Moisey Medical Clinic Box 3777, 3026 Anderson Smithers, BC, V0J 2N0 P: 250 847-4800 Dr. Collin G Milne Inc. Box 1029, 1283 Main Street Smithers, BC, V0J 2N0 P: 250 847-9898
Bulkley Valley District Hospital is a 24 bed acute care GP run hospital.
Contact Info
Bulkley Valley District Hospital Box 370, 3950 - 8th Avenue Smithers, BC, V0J 2N0 P: 250 847-2611 | F: 250 847-2446
http://careers.northernhealth.ca/Communities/NorthwestRegion/Smithers.aspx
Hospital Info
Bulkley Valley District Hospital has a 24 hour ER. The operating room is fully operational with cases being completed by the local GP surgeons, visiting general surgeons, a urologist, an ENT and an obstetrician. The hospitals deliveries (average 250 per year) are managed by GPs providing obstetrical services.
Acute Care Beds: 16
Major Medical Care: Transfer to Prince George (374 km)
Emergency Room
There is a limited service Emergency Room in this community that is open 24/7. Trauma services are provided at this ER.
Number of Visits Per Year: 13,363 (2009/2010 Statistics: NHA)
Travel distance to transfer hospital: 374 km to Prince George
Anaesthetics
This community provides anaesthesia services.
Surgery
This community provides surgical services
Maternity
This community has obstetric and Caesarian Section services.
There are also midwives in this community:
Bulkley Valley Midwives Box 156, 3772 - C 1st Avenue Smithers, BC, V0J 2N0 P: 250 877-2726 | F: 250 847-5299
Lab services
Bulkley Valley District Hospital Box 370, 3950 - 8th Avenue Smithers, BC, V0J 2N0 P: 250 847-2611 ext. 2613 | F: 250 847-2446 Hrs: Mon-Fri 8 am - 3 pmBlood Bank
There is a blood bank in this community.
Imaging services
X-Ray
Bulkley Valley District Hospital Box 370, 3950 - 8th Avenue Smithers, BC, V0J 2N0 P: 250 847-6214 Hrs: Mon-Fri 8 am - 4 pmUltrasound
There are ultrasound imaging services in this community.
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BC Ambulance
BC Ambulance Service provides coverage to this community, including Air Ambulance services.
Pharmacy
Bulkley Valley District Hospital Pharmacy Box 370, 3950 - 8th Avenue Smithers, BC, V0J 2N0 P: 250 847-6222 | F: 250 847-1795 Pharmasave #34 Box 2577, 1211 Main Street Smithers, BC, V0J 2N0 P: 250 847-8750 | F: 250 847-8760 Pharmasave #105 Box 2530, 3752 - 4th Avenue Smithers, BC, V0J 2N0 P: 250 847-4474 | F: 250 847-4760 Safeway Food & Drug - Pharmacy #144 Box 459, 3664 Yellowhead Highway Smithers, BC, V0J 2N0 P: 250 847-4744 | F: 250 847-1748 Shoppers Drug Mart #2257 Box 877, 1235 Main Street Smithers, BC, V0J 2N0 P: 250 847-2288 | F: 250 847-9034
Extended Care
Bulkley Lodge (70 beds) Box 3640, 3668 - 11th Avenue Smithers, BC, V0J 2N0 P: 250 847-4443 | F: 250-847-3895
Home Nursing
Smithers Home and Community Care Box 370, 3950 - 8th Avenue Smithers, BC, V0J 2N0 P: 250 847-6234 | F: 250 847-6239
Diabetic Nurse Educator
Canadian Diabetes Association 12459 Alder Road Smithers, BC, V0J 2N1 P: 250 847-4708
Physiotherapy
Transitions Physiotherapy Suite #200, 3848 - 3rd Avenue Smithers, BC, V0J 2N3 P: 250 877-7575 Alpine Physiotherapy 1268 Main Street Smithers, BC, V0J 2N0 P: 250 877-6966 Smithers Physiotherapy Centre 3868 Broadway Smithers, BC, V0J 2N0 P: 250 847-9808
Occupational therapy
Bulkley Valley Child Development Centre Box 995, 3350 Poplar Road Smithers, BC, V0J 2N0 P: 250 847-4122 | F: 250 847-9338 www.bvcdc.ca
Mental Health and Addictions
Adult Mental Health Center & CYMH Smithers 2nd Floor, 3793 Alfred Avenue Smithers, BC, V0J 2N0 P: 250 847-7727 | F: 250 847-5993 Hrs: Mon-Fri 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Dze L K'ant Friendship Centre Society Box 2920, 1888 Main Street Smithers, BC, V0J 2N0 P: 250 847-5211 | F: 250 847-5144 www.dzelkant.com BC Schizophrenia Society Mental Health & Addictions Box 3603, 3815 Railway Avenue Smithers, BC, V0J 2N0 P: 250 847-9779 | TFP: 1 888 847-9779 www.bcss.org
Social workers
Ministry of Children and Family Development 2nd Floor, 3793 Alfred Avenue Smithers, BC, V0J 2N0 P: 250 847-7727 | TFP: 1 866 823-7888 | F: 250 847-7811 Northern Health Authority Bag 5000, 3793 Alfred Avenue Smithers, BC, V0J 2N0 P: 250 847-6400 | F: 250 847-5908 BC Schizophrenia Society Mental Health & Addictions Box 3603, 3815 Railway Avenue Smithers, BC, V0J 2N0 P: 250 847-9779 | TFP: 1 888 847-9779 www.bcss.org
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Preschooler Health Day Circuit Smithers Community Health Northern Health Unit 3793 Alfred Avenue Smithers, BC, V0J 2N0 P: 250 847-6400 Pacemaker Clinic - UNBC at Bulkley Valley District Hospital Northern Health Unit 3950 - 8th Avenue Smithers, BC, V0J 2N0 P: 250 565-2439 Moricetown Healthy Babies Health Families Program 205 Beaver Road Smithers, BC, V0J 2N1 P: 250 847-3613 | F: 250 847-9347 Smithers Pregnancy Outreach Program Box 3836 Smithers, BC, V0J 2N0 P: 250 847-9477 | F: 250 847-8911 Positive Living: Smithers 3862B Broadway Avenue Smithers, BC, V0J 2N0 P: 250 877-0042 Hrs: Mon, Wed 11 am - 3 pm, Thurs 3:30 pm - 7:00 pmServices: Hep C Education and Outreach, Needle Exchange, Harm Reduction, Social Services
Northern Society for Domestic Peace Violence Against Women Counseling Services 3772 - 1st Avenue Smithers, BC, V0J 2N0 P: 250 847-9000 BC Schizophrenia Society Mental Health & Addictions Box 3603, 3815 Railway Avenue Smithers, BC, V0J 2N0 P: 250 847-9779 | TF: 1 888 847-9779 www.bcss.org
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Practice Site Information
Central Square Medical Clinic 1209 Main Street PO Box 3760 Smithers, BC V0J 2N0 P: 250 847-8761 | F: 250 847-2814 Physician Site Coordinator Dr. Marlowe Haskins Office Administrator Tina Haskins
Training Site Information
Medical Student Training: Yes
Medical Student: UBC
Family Practice Resident Site: Yes
Medical Resident: UBC
Students & Residents Perspectives
On the Community
Close knit friendly community.
On the Experience
Lots of independence and learning opportunities if keen.
Challenges
Smithers is a new site.
Patient Load
Practice per Day: 18-30
Resident per Day: 10-20
Office Set-up
Is there space for the resident to have an office an an examination room? Yes
Would you expect the resident to rotate offices on a regular basis? Yes
Technology:
Electronic Medical Records
Educational Opportunities
Hospital Rounds: Yes
CME Teleconferences: Yes
What other educational opportunities are available to your students and residents (e.g., rounds, CPD)?
May be managing cases in the ER during the day and at night. Possible births and C-sections. Telerounds, resident teaching, PBSG monthly
Preceptor Physicians
Dr. Justin Flynn Dr. Barb Kotzee Dr. Isacc Pretorius Dr. Sheila Smith Dr. Jodi Preto Dr. Niki Froese Dr. Mary Knight Dr. Karin Blouw
