Learn more about workplace requirements and the importance of workplace safety
As a physician, there are important workplace requirements you and your team should be aware of to keep things running smoothly. This page provides a wide range of resources from learning about WorkSafeBC registration, and accessing resources regarding ICBC fees, to getting up to speed on SWITCH BC’s Community Physician Health and Safety Program.
Doctors of BC is here to support you and your staff in ensuring your workplaces are healthy, safe, and meet all requirements.
Community Physician Health and Safety
The Community Physician Health and Safety Program is a province-wide initiative funded by the Physician Master Agreement, through the Memorandum of Agreement on Physician Health and Safety (the PHS Agreement). It is led and supported by the Safety, Wellbeing, Innovation, Training and Collaboration in Healthcare organization, SWITCH BC.
CPHS aims to support and enhance health and safety for physicians and support staff working in communities. It offers tools and resources to:
- Improve aspects of workplace safety such as psychological and physical health, violence prevention, injury prevention, and more.
- Empower physicians and clinic staff to develop a custom health and safety program and help prevent work-related illnesses and injuries.
Visit the SWITCH BC CPHS website
Phone +1 844 743-2747 to access free, confidential advice from an occupational health and safety professional.
CPHS Services
All services are voluntary, free, and confidential to ensure easy access and support for your clinic:
Health and safety web portal
Your one-stop resource for creating a customized health and safety program:
- Accessible checklists, comprehensive templates, learning resources, and progress tracking to create and maintain safer practices on your own timeline.
- Topics covering health and safety meetings, violence prevention, bullying and harassment, emergency preparedness, ergonomics, new and young worker training, and more.
Clinic assessments
Book a free assessment with our health and safety advisors:
- On-site evaluation at your clinic (< 2 hours) to identify health and safety recommendations, ensuring you are meeting regulatory and legislative requirements.
- Areas of focus include incident response, managing risks, non-medical emergency preparedness, worker training, preventing violence, and more.
De-escalation tools for medical office staff
Support for managing challenging patient interactions:
- Printable guides, tip sheets, posters, and a patient code of conduct template.
- This initiative caters to specialist and family physicians in community practice settings, such as private offices and medical clinics in BC.
WorkSafeBC
WorkSafeBC coverage protects you and your staff with financial security for workplace injuries, covering medical expenses, rehabilitation, and lost wages while promoting a safer work environment.
Registration
Physicians practising in BC may be required to register with WorkSafeBC to provide timely care for work-related injuries and meet provincial regulations.
Find out whether you need to register with WorkSafeBC:
Reporting an incident
It is important to report any occupational health and safety concerns or an incident directly to WorkSafeBC to ensure a safe and healthy work environment.
Access the workplace safety document template.
Agreements and WorkSafeBC Liaison Committee
WorkSafeBC and Doctors of BC Agreements
Doctors of BC negotiates two formal agreements with WorkSafeBC: the Physician Services Agreement and the Salaried Physicians’ Agreement.
Learn more about the WorkSafeBC agreements.
WorkSafeBC and Doctors of Liaison Committee
WorkSafeBC and the Doctors of BC participate in the Liaison Committee to address areas of mutual interest and/or concern such as:
- Physician education
- Policy consultation
- Dispute resolution
Learn about the WorkSafeBC Liaison Committee.
Articles
The BC Medical Journal publishes articles for physicians to stay informed with the latest safety regulations, health guidelines, and best practices in workplace safety.
Read WorkSafeBC articles.
Educational guides and resources
WorkSafeBC Billing Guides
WorkSafeBC has developed Billing Guides for common fee codes encountered by BC physicians who treat WorkSafeBC patients. Find useful information for you and your medical office team below.
Billing Expedited Comprehensive Consultation Fee Code 19911 and 19912
Specialists who require assistance with Fee Code 19911 - Initial Expedited Comprehensive Consultation and Fee Code 19912 - Repeat Expedited Comprehensive Consultation. View the Expedited Comprehensive Consultation billing guide.
Billing Telephone or Office Consultation Fee Code 19930
Fee Code 19930 is billable for communication via telephone or video conference, or in-office meetings for physicians to collaborate with other health care professionals, and WorkSafeBC Case Management team members involved in the care of injured workers. View the Fee Code 19930 billing guide.
Expedited Surgical Premiums (ESP) Guide
The Expedited Surgery Premium (ESP) is a premium paid in addition to the applicable MSP fees for WorkSafeBC-approved surgeries, if the surgery is performed within an accelerated timeframe. View the Expedited Surgical Premium (ESP) guide.
ICBC
As a physician treating patients with injuries from motor vehicle accidents, you can access essential ICBC resources to manage claims efficiently and support patient recovery.
Contact
For general claim queries, contact the Health Care Inquiry Unit:
- Phone: +1 604 587-7150 (Lower Mainland), +1 888-717-7150 (Toll-free)
- Email: HealthCareInquiry@icbc.com
ICBC claims and Enhanced Care Coverage
ICBC information for treating car crash-related injuries
Access essential information for treating patients injured in car accidents, covering fees, invoicing, report templates, treatment guidelines, patient consent, and vendor numbers.
Fees
Access fees applicable for patient appointments where an evaluation is conducted and a medical report is prepared.
Specialized Physician Services and Enhanced Care Coverage
Learn more about Specialized Physician Services report information and how Enhanced Care coverage supports your patients’ recovery.
Obtain patient consent
It is important to only share reports or information with ICBC when patient consent has been granted.
ICBC Liaison Working Group
The ICBC Liaison Working Group is a joint committee that aims to address physician concerns related to patient treatment in motor vehicle accidents and develop long-term strategies for improving patient management.
Learn about the ICBC Liaison Working Group.