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Town & County
Location, Location, Location
The town of Vulcan is located in Vulcan County. Vulcan is a proud and vibrant community situated in rural southern Alberta. Residents living in all of the communities in Vulcan County experience an exceptionally high quality of life.
Although Vulcan County is a rural area, all of the communities found in the County are within a one hour drive from either of the two major cities in Southern Alberta – Calgary and Lethbridge. Both of these major centres are home to world-class universities, colleges, and polytechnic post-secondary institutions. In addition, residents of Vulcan have the opportunity to access all of the cultural and recreational opportunities associated with major urban centres.
The Town of Vulcan is 90 minutes away from the Calgary International Airport and it is an easy three hour drive to the world renowned Rocky Mountains. World historic sites, including Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump and the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology, are easy day trips. In fact, residents of Vulcan County are a three hour drive from the borders of the Province of Saskatchewan, the Province of British Columbia, and State of Montana in the United States.
Family Friendly Community
Vulcan residents are known to be warm and inviting and have always understood the advantages of living in this community. Children are recognized and supported by friends and neighbours alike. The elementary and combined junior/senior high schools offer programming associated with large, urban schools, yet the students are known personally by all of their teachers, as are their families, resulting in a consistently high level of education and learning.
Children have the opportunity to get involved in individual as well as team activities and sports both in and out of school. The Town of Vulcan’s Recreation Department organizes many different activities for younger children as well as teenagers.
All residents have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of recreational, cultural, and adult education programs. Recreational activities include golfing, swimming, boating/water skiing, curling, hockey, baseball, basketball, volleyball, baseball/slo-pitch, camping, fishing, and ice fishing. Cultural activities revolve around a growing music scene and an active arts community through the Nine in a Line Society. As well, there is an active historical and archive group dedicated to preserving and displaying the history of the County and Southern Alberta.
Excellent Facilities and Services
The towns, villages, and hamlets of Vulcan County offer first class facilities while still maintaining the friendly hospitality so often associated with life in a rural community. There are outstanding health, education, and protective services. Houses are available in both affordable entry level and upper price ranges. In addition, there are many shopping, professional, and personal services available throughout Vulcan County. There is a fully accredited day care, a modern library, and museum located in the Town of Vulcan. Market Street Foods is a full service grocery store with a deli, meat counter, pharmacy, bakery, and coffee bar. Life Med Pharmacy, Batter Up Bakery, Wolfe's Home Hardware store, Sarini Fine Jewellery, and the Coulee Bar and Grill are only a few of the shops and services located in Vulcan. In addition, residents of the Town of Vulcan have access to a beautiful 18-hole golf course, a hockey and curling rink ice-complex, skate-board facility, a seasonal swimming pool, a fitness centre, a community gymnasium, and a walking path – with outdoor exercise centre.
For More Information on Vulcan County and the Town of Vulcan
Click on these links for more information on Vulcan County and the Town of Vulcan.
For More Information on News and Events in Vulcan and Vulcan County Click on the link below:
https://vulcanandregionfcss.com/news/
Medical Clinic
About the Vulcan Medical Clinic
The Vulcan Medical Clinic is pleased to announce that Dr. Matthew Siray has joined our Clinic on April 2, 2024. He will be accepting residents of Vulcan and Vulcan County as new patients. Please join us in welcoming Dr. Matthew Siray to the Vulcan Medical Clinic and our Community!
Dr. Jody Patrick, a pediatrician from Calgary, visits the Vulcan Medical Clinic every six weeks. Vulcan Medical Clinic patients need a referral from their physicians.
Excellence and Innovation
The physicians and staff at the Vulcan Medical Clinic are committed to excellence in patient care and clinical innovation. To quote Stephanie Crichton, Executive Director of Calgary Rural Primary Care Network (PCN), "The Vulcan Medical Clinic, through its physicians and allied health professional team, has been a leader in achieving these objectives. The Vulcan Medical Clinic has been early to adopt and succeed in our PCN's screening maneuvers and provincial evaluation metrics.”
Location, Location, Location
The Town of Vulcan conveniently located between the cities of Calgary and Lethbridge. More importantly, however, the Vulcan Medical Clinic is situated within the confines of the Vulcan Community Health Centre. The Vulcan Community Health Centre is a multipurpose facility. This centre has both long-term (15) and acute care (8) beds and is running at a 95% to 110% capacity. The physicians’ medical clinic, X-Ray department, laboratory services, physiotherapy, mental health, community health department, and a six bed emergency department are also located in the Health Centre. Having immediate access to all departments makes for a superb work environment and enhances job satisfaction.
Teamwork and Support
Partly because of our physical location but also as a commitment from our team, we have a great working relationship not only within our clinic, but with all of our Alberta Health Services partners located within the building.
Physicians’ Medical Practice
The Physician's practice is a general practice with extended skills to cover the hospital emergency room. Seventy percent of our time is devoted to general practice, twenty five percent to hospital and emergency room, and five percent to long-term care patients.
One physician is required to be ‘on-call’ 24 hours per day – 7 days a week in order to keep all of these facilities open. Typically a physician working in our clinic is required to be on call 1 in 4.
The medical clinic handles an average of 80 patients per day if there are four doctors available. The clinic normally has one physician designated as the “on-call” doctor. This physician treats walk-in patients as well as any patients requiring urgent care in the ER.
We are not working in isolation. Physicians have excellent external support with immediate access to specialists. In addition, our emergency services are facilitated by RAAPID (Referral, Access, Advice, Placement, Information, and Designation), STARS air ambulance, and by the ALS Emergency Medical Services provided by Alberta Health Service. The Vulcan Community Health Centre is well equipped to deal with most medical emergencies but we do not have an operating room nor do we do obstetrics.
Through the support of Alberta Health Services, Alberta Medical Association, the Town of Vulcan, and Vulcan County, we have a very low overhead structure for expenses.
If you are a physician looking for more detailed information on establishing a medical practice in Vulcan, contact the Business Coordinator, Vulcan Medical Clinic, (403) 485-2216 ext 4
Vulcan County Health & Wellness Foundation’s (VCH&WF) Health Centre Expansion Project
The VCH&WF is raising funds to pay for the completed 800 square metre extension to the Vulcan Community Health Centre. The new wing is the home of a 650 square metre medical clinic – enough office space, examining rooms, and equipment to accommodate up to 8 full-time physicians. This new space will make it easier and more efficient for physicians to work on any given day which, in turn, will increase patient access to their own family physician.
In addition to increasing the space for the medical clinic (space that is designed to support 8 full-time physicians), the expansion project has allowed for Rehabilitation Services and the Adult Day Support Programs to move from the basement to the main floor of the hospital. This is Phase 1 of the expansion project and was completed in September of 2020.
In Phase 2 of the Project, the Mental Health Department will have a dedicated area and the laboratory will be increased in size making it a much more functional area for staff. Public and Community Health Services will have significantly more room to work and the palliative care suite will be improved. Phase 2 has not yet commenced.
Community Health Centre
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The Vulcan Community Health Centre is a multipurpose facility. The core of this health centre is a twenty three bed unit consisting of 8 inpatient and 15 long-term care beds. All health care services, including the physician’s medical clinic, are located under one roof. This model provides “one stop” access to health services for the patient and successfully promotes inter-professional communication and collaboration. |
Team Work
There is a strong sense of teamwork in the health centre as all of our staff and the physicians work in a collegial and supportive fashion to provide the best patient care possible.
Medical Support
Physicians and nursing staff have excellent external support with immediate access to specialists and tertiary care for the patient through RAAPID (Referral, Access, Advice, Placement, Information, and Designation). We are also supported by STARS Air Ambulance Service and by an ALS (Advanced Life Support) ambulance service provided by provided by Alberta Health Services. The Vulcan Community Health Centre is well equipped to deal with most medical emergencies but we do not have an operating room nor do we do obstetrics.
Continuing Education
Our nurses and medical staff have access to continuing education programs and training courses which helps them to remain current on best practices in their profession. The Vulcan County Health and Wellness Foundation provides bursaries for health care staff to help offset the costs of approved courses.
Community Support
The Vulcan Community Healthcare Auxiliary provides financial support for the purchase of specialized equipment.
The Vulcan County Health and Wellness Foundation, in partnership with the Vulcan County and the Town of Vulcan, is providing funding for an addition to the Vulcan Community Health Centre. This new wing is the home of the Vulcan Medical Clinic and has sufficient office space and examining rooms to accommodate up to 8 physicians. As well, this new wing houses the Rehabilitation Services department and the Adult Day Support Program.
Latest News
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The Vulcan and County Healthcare Workers Attraction and Retention Committee is an active organization of volunteers dedicated to “Keeping Rural Healthcare Close to Home”.
The A and R Committee in partnership with a U of C Medical Student and her sponsors, hosted a "Let's Hear It for Rural" Medical Student Event May 11, 2024 at the Vulcan Community Health Centre. Approximately thirty 1st and 2nd year medical students had the opportunity to practice their clinical skills under the tutelage of our local doctors and nurses. Following the skills stations and a tour of the hospital, the students were treated to a delicious lunch provided by Meals in Minutes catering. Following their time at the hospital, the students boarded the bus to attend a nearby farm to learn more about the rural lifestyle and culture. The day was ended with a BBQ supper social and bonfire before heading back to Calgary. See pictures of the event in our Recruitment Initiatives page.