Physicians for You is excited to share these fantastic reasons to choose Nova Scotia.

Aside from the vibrant lifestyle, outdoor beauty, and friendly communities, here are a few more reasons to say yes to Nova Scotia today!

**Site Visit Program – for you and 1 person! **

Physicians can apply to this program to cover costs of a site visit to potential practice sites within Nova Scotia.

Eligibility

• Physicians must be eligible for licensure in Nova Scotia
• Physicians must be pursuing a full-time practice opportunity

Coverage

• Airfare (including return flight)
• Meals
• Accommodations
• Vehicle rental
• Additional travel related expenses (e.g. public transit, parking, taxi, fuel or mileage, etc.)

Additional

• Must have an approved site visit application submitted prior to the visit taking place.
• Physicians will be reimbursed for a one-time visit.
• The visit may be for more than one Zone within Nova Scotia, with each site being approved in order to receive reimbursement.
• An average site visit is 2-3 days per Zone, depending on number of clinics and communities being visited. Please factor in travel time between sites. 
• Original receipts must be supplied with expense claim

**Relocation Allowance – up to $10,000! **

Physicians can apply to have their costs associated with relocating reimbursed up to $10,000.

Eligibility

•  Licenced Physicians must have accepted a full-time practice opportunity
• Reimbursements will be processed after the Physician has relocated and has entered into full-time practice

Coverage

Relocation expenses will be reimbursed based on actual claims.  Examples of costs that will be reimbursed include:

• One way airfare
• Meals and accommodations
• Fuel or mileage (Atlantic Canada only)
•  Moving company costs
• Vehicle shipment

Additional

• Physicians must remain in full-time practice within the Nova Scotia Health Authority for 1 year, otherwise they will be required to repay their reimbursement.
• Additional expenses may be considered with prior approval
• Original receipts must be supplied

**Tuition Relief Program- up to $120,000**

Eligible candidates:

• Physicians/residents establishing a new practice in Nova Scotia
• Physicians who are locuming for up to two years following residency training
• Physicians (including IMGs) who are within seven years of completing residency, provided they have not previously established a practice in Nova Scotia.

Reimbursement

• For graduates of a Canadian medical school, reimbursement will be for total tuition paid during medical school for up to 4 years.
• For international medical graduates, reimbursement will be capped at the highest tuition level for Canadian medical schools or the years attending medical school.

Return of Service

The return of service for this incentive is five years. Physicians must start at the agreed upon time.

Bonuses

• Family Physicians who will practice outside of an area with a regional hospital will receive an additional $30,000.
• Specialists who will practice outside of NSHA-Central Zone will receive an additional $30,000.

Additional

• Eligibility applies to full-time, part time, and locum (minimum 6 months)
• Funding levels are based on full time service; part time service will be funded at a pro-rated level. Minimums are excluding call.
• Payments will be delivered in 25% increments as Physicians meet agreed upon deliverables. This is a taxable benefit.

**Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) - Canadian PR for Physicians & their families! **

This program allows the Government of Nova Scotia to nominate individuals to the Canadian government who can meet the provincial labour market and economic needs and who intend to establish themselves in Nova Scotia. Nominees, along with their spouse and dependents, approved under this program may become permanent residents of Canada following approval by the Canadian government. This is a fantastic opportunity!

It is a 2 step process: 

1: Apply to be nominated by the Nova Scotia government. Free!

2: Once approved, apply to the Federal Government for PR. Regular Immigration fees and wait times apply.

**Additional Incentive Programs that may be available - case-by-case availability**  

Additional opportunities for Physicians may be available, and are on a case-by case basis:

• Free/reduced rent facilities, or preferred overhead arrangements
• In the case of those participating in primary care collaborative teams, there has been support for the addition of other health providers to the team such as Nurse Practitioners, Family Practice Nurses, dieticians, etc. in clinics.

These opportunities, if available, will be shared in calls, interviews, discussions and site visits.

**Community Incentives- community assisted, non-formal programs**

Some of the local businesses and community groups will provide unique incentives to Physicians to establish practice.  These have included hiring incentives, free clinic offices, additional relocation, free lodging for a period of time, and help with employing the Physician’s spouse. These are not a part of any formal program, but instead are community-based programs, and are often not known in advance.

These opportunities, if available, will be shared in calls, interviews, discussions and site visits.