The Medical Director of the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority (SLFNHA) is a visionary medical professional who is a highly skilled and experienced physician in clinical medicine and medical leadership. Knowledge and experience in medical research, particularly regarding First Nation Health, would be an asset. The Medical Director is responsible for guiding the organization in its mission to improve the health and well-being of First Nations people in SLFNHA communities. The ideal candidate should have experience in clinical service provision in First Nations communities and a deep understanding of the health challenges of the people in the region. Understanding the history of healthcare and SLFNHA’s role in healthcare provision in First Nation communities is critical. This individual will be responsible for developing and implementing health initiatives that align with SLFNHA’s and the Regional First Nation community’s vision and goals and overseeing the organization’s day-to-day medical affairs.
The Medical Director will report directly to the CEO/President of the SLFNHA and will be responsible for representing SLFNHA at various meetings and events. The Medical Director will attend SLFNHA and Sioux Lookout Regional Physician Services (SLRPSI) BOD meetings as required to share their medical expertise and provide ongoing reports.
This individual will have a deep understanding of First Nation communities’ unique cultural and political context and will be dedicated to working closely with the communities to ensure their health needs are met. The Medical Director will provide administrative leadership, program direction, and support for SLFNHA programs to maintain the quality of care.
The new Medical Director will work with SLFNHA, Sioux Lookout Regional Physician Services (SLRPSI) to evolve the role of the Medical Director as system changes necessitate an ongoing review of role and responsibilities. Travel to SLFNHA communities, Thunder Bay, Winnipeg and beyond will be required.
Persons of First Nations ancestry will be given preference (OHRC, Part II, Special Employment)
Applicants must possess the following:
- A medical degree from an accredited medical school;
- Satisfactory Completion of the certifying examinations of the Canadian College of Family Physicians or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada;
- Licensing by the provincial licensing authority CPSO;
- Provide proof of appropriate medical liability insurance from the Canadian Medical Protection Association CMPA
- Provide an updated Certificate of Good Standing from all jurisdictions where the applicant has held a license to practice medicine
- Four to Five years of Health Management experience;
- Extensive experience in a leadership role within First Nation health care ( preferred).
- Proven ability to effectively work with and serve First Nation communities and their health care needs.
- Strong understanding of the health care needs of First Nation communities.
- Demonstrated ability to develop strategic plans and implement them successfully.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
- Knowledge of health care funding, budgeting and financial management.
- Proven experience and ability to manage complex human resources environments.
- Experience working with government agencies and other stakeholders.
- Understanding of the unique cultural and political context of First Nations communities.
- Experience with electronic medical record systems;
- Must be willing to relocate and reside in the Municipality of Sioux Lookout
- First Nation candidates will be given preference, and the ability to speak a First Nation language would be a significant asset.
Roles and Responsibilities:
- Medical Leadership. Provide expert medical advice in all health service programs under SLFNHA that inspires the highest performance levels in delivering healthcare among the patients and stakeholders.
- Provide Medical Direction (advisory, technical explanations, education, etc.) to First Nation community health teams and the community leadership (Chief and Council, Health Directors and health care providers at all levels);
- Assist with dispute resolution between the health team (physicians/nurses/ other health care providers) and FN leadership individual community members, families or leadership.
- Actively investigate any patient or community complaints about medical care and services and provide feedback whenever feasible within the bounds of patient confidentiality;
- Establish a strong working relationship with the Regional Coroners’ office;
- Strongly advocate for and support the restructuring of Mental Health and Addiction Services throughout the region;
- Work with SLRPSI, First Nations, Health Canada, MOHLTC, Meno Ya Win and other stakeholders to continue to expand and enhance Primary Care services at the community level whenever feasible;
- Ensure service is provided as close to home as possible when services are not available at the community level, in a culturally safe and sensitive manner and directly responsive to the needs of the individual, their family and the community;
- Provide leadership that aligns and challenges the workforce and promotes fulfillment of the health system’s mission, vision and values.
- Operational Management. Maintain an organized system of management and controls that ensure smooth function of health system operations, the timely accomplishment of goals, and physical, financial and human resource viability and success.
- Assist with physician scheduling, monitor resource allocation and appropriate usage and distribution of physician services throughout the Northern Practice (including remote First Nation communities);
- Participate in an extensive physician orientation for all new physicians joining the Northern Practice, including cultural awareness education and Norms of Practice, expectations of individual patients and their families, ethical responsibilities and expectations, quality and risk management, and review of SLRPSI Policies and Procedures;
- Advise and assist the SLRPSI and SLFNHA Boards on developing and implementing physician policies and procedures in alignment with current practices and operational requirements of the local healthcare system;
- Establish physician policy and procedure(s).
- Quality of Care. Ensures best practice and evidence-based approaches to consistently deliver exceptional, well-coordinated, integrated care that provides high-level outcomes and client/patient satisfaction.
- Develop and implement a strategy for peer evaluation and feedback.
- Quality Assurance. Oversight and application of quality assurance guidelines and policies as required by professional bodies responsible for physician licensing in Ontario, including the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO), Certification and Maintenance of Competency in Family Medicine and the Canadian College of Family Physicians (CCFP).
- Regularly monitor, by a variety of means, physician practice and performance, individually and as a group, by direct observation, hospital and EMR chart audits, peer review and liaison with the Meno Ya Win Chief of Staff (MYW), Medical Advisory Committee and the MYW Credentialing Committee.
- Strategic planning. Develops, implements, and executes operational plans that ensure timely strategic goal achievement.
- Participate in coordinating and developing guidelines and resources for health services in the north, including introducing new technologies and physician services.
- Medical Research. Provide leadership and support for medical research and evaluation and ensure culturally appropriate parameters and ensure discrimination of information.
- Community relations. Fosters strong community relations and develops collaborative partnerships that advance the interests of SLFNHA and contribute to the health and well-being of the communities served.
- Respond to and investigate concerns from northern communities about the quality of health care services, including those provided by SLRPSI physicians, access issues, timeliness of services and follow-up, second medical opinions and the quality of the services provided;
- Travel to individual communities for face-to-face meetings, conduct healthcare audits and problem-solve where necessary;
- Meet regularly with senior community nursing personnel to discuss areas of mutual concern and share plans and proposals that will ensure improved quality of care at the community level;
- Coordinate program development and provide support in the north as prioritized by the First Nations communities;
- Respond to community requests in the area of health services;
- Liaise with First Nation stakeholders around patient care support and enhance the health care system.
- Crisis Management. Respond to medical health issues and crises.
- Be responsive to medical crises and emergencies and non-emergent medical situations where medical oversight and direction may be necessary;
- Work with other stakeholders (MOHLTC, Emergency Management, Health Canada, MYW, physician and nursing groups) to provide emergency services, including but not limited to medical cases with unexpected adverse outcomes, large-scale traumas, community evacuations (fire, water hazards), global pandemics, opioid and suicide crises, legal inquests, etc.
- Human Resources. Establish physician policy and procedure and maintain effective and collaborative relationships with the physicians that inspire loyalty, ensure the ability to meet the health needs of the communities and advance quality, client safety and satisfaction.
- Develop and maintain an inventory of requisite physician qualifications and skills for various physician roles;
- Review and approve the qualifications of all physicians contracted (either permanent or locum) to the Sioux Lookout Northern practice;
- Oversee and/monitor qualifications – credentialing;
- Conduct new physician reference checks;
- Develop creative physician recruitment and retention strategies in keeping with First Nation community needs and hospital and Northern Clinic operational requirements aligned with SLRPSI (Sioux Lookout Regional Physicians Inc.) and Meno Ya Win requirements and policies;
- Actively participate in the recruitment process (events, conferences, meetings with prospective physician candidates, liaise with learners (students and residents) during their education;
- Work closely with the SLRPSI Physician Manager and the Physician Recruiter to recruit and retain physicians;
- Monitor and be responsive to current physician recruitment/retention trends in Ontario and throughout Canada;
- Support and advocate for physicians to pursue educational and skill-enhancing opportunities to enhance the scope and quality of locally provided medical services;
- Provide assistance and support for any physician experiencing a personal or family crisis and direct and support them to appropriate care and services.
To apply or for more information, please contact:
Barbara Lockhart
SmartHire Human Capital Solutions
barbara@smarthire.solutions
416-258-5557
SLFNHA currently requires COVID-19 immunizations for this role and requests your immunization status be sent to our staff health department if successful in the recruitment process.
Closing Date: 4:30 pm (CST), April 13, 2023
