Drayton Valley needs family doctors—and we’d love to welcome you to Shale Medical Clinic.
If you’re looking for meaningful rural medicine with strong community impact, supportive colleagues, and the chance to build a long-term home (with potential future partnership/equity opportunities), this may be the right fit.
Shale Medical Clinic is offering a $50,000 signing bonus for new physician recruits who join full-time and live in Drayton Valley (primary residence). (Bonus details provided as part of the recruitment agreement.)
The opportunity at a glance
Alberta Health Services (AHS) is actively recruiting Family Medicine Physicians for full-time rural practice in Drayton Valley, with a broad scope that includes community clinic, Emergency Room coverage, and acute care/long-term careresponsibilities.
AHS notes that physicians are expected to:
- Reside in Drayton Valley (primary residence),
- Maintain a full-time community-based practice,
- Participate in Emergency Department call schedules as required,
- Hold/obtain appropriate AHS privileges and appointments.
AHS also highlights that successful candidates may choose to join an existing practice (like ours) or open their own practice—this is the physician’s independent business decision.
Why Shale Medical Clinic
We’re a busy, community-rooted clinic in the heart of Drayton Valley, focused on delivering comprehensive, relationship-based primary care—while supporting our physicians with the systems and team culture that make full-scope family medicine sustainable.
1) Strong clinic access and continuity
Our clinic offers comprehensive primary healthcare, including a same-day urgent access service for the community.
We also have a patient portal that supports online booking and clinic messaging—helpful for continuity and efficient follow-up.
2) Modern clinic setting with on-site resources
Shale Medical Clinic operates in a well-equipped medical centre environment, including an onsite pharmacy and access to services such as x-ray and ultrasound, along with clinic space designed for efficient patient flow.
(As with any posting, exact services and workflows are reviewed with candidates during the recruitment conversation.)
3) Collegial, physician-led culture
You’ll be joining a team that values:
- Clear communication and respectful collaboration
- Clinical autonomy with reliable peer support
- Quality improvement and patient-centered decision-making (also emphasized by AHS for this role)
4) A long-term path (including future partnership/equity options)
We’re building for the future. For physicians who want to put down roots in Drayton Valley, we’re open to structured business equity sharing or partnership opportunities over time, based on mutual fit, community commitment, and practice alignment.
Compensation & eligibility (high level)
AHS lists this opportunity as fee-for-service, potentially including additional program stipends, and notes that total billings vary by practitioner.
The posting is also marked Sponsorship Eligible.
Typical required/desired qualifications include:
- Eligibility for CPSA licensure and ACLS
- CCFP and/or rural-relevant credentials such as PALS/NRP/ATLS are listed as desired
Living in Drayton Valley: big outdoors, real community, close to Edmonton
Drayton Valley is a vibrant and diverse community located where prairie meets boreal forest and the foothills, with strong recreation options (golf, ski trails, walking trail, sports facilities) and a highly engaged community culture.
Drayton Valley is approximately:
- 60 minutes west of Leduc
- ~90 minutes from Edmonton
- ~2 hours from Red Deer
If you’re looking for a place where your work matters and your off-time can actually feel like off-time, Drayton Valley offers a compelling balance.
Our $50,000 signing bonus (Shale Medical Clinic)
To help attract long-term physicians to our community, Shale Medical Clinic is offering a $50,000 signing bonus for new recruits who:
- Join Shale Medical Clinic full-time, and
- Maintain primary residence in Drayton Valley.
We’ll review the bonus structure and any return-of-service terms transparently during the recruitment process.
How to apply / connect
- Apply through AHS:
AHS Family Medicine Physician – Drayton Valley posting is here: https://doctorjobsalberta.albertahealthservices.ca/jobs/family-medicine-physician-drayton-valley-9864
(Posting includes scope details, qualifications, and requisition information.) - Connect with Shale Medical Clinic (confidential conversation):
Phone: 780-898-4628
Email: reception@shalemedical.ca
Location: 5004 50th Avenue, Drayton Valley, AB
If you’re even considering a move, reach out—we’re happy to talk through practice style, call expectations, clinic support, and what life looks like here.
Quick FAQ
Is this a full-scope rural family medicine role?
Yes—AHS describes the scope as including community clinic plus emergency and inpatient/long-term care components.
Do I need to live in Drayton Valley?
AHS states physicians must reside in the community and have their primary residence in Drayton Valley.
Is the position sponsorship eligible?
Yes, the AHS posting marks this opportunity as sponsorship eligible.
Does Shale Medical Clinic offer online booking / a patient portal and a Modern EMR?
Yes— We use to Telus CHR/Input Health EMR and our patient portal supports online booking and messaging.
Drayton Valley – Healthy Living Program (Sept to Dec 2017).pdf