Addiction Medicine - Inpatient Withdrawal Management Unit & Recovery Support Centre

Nova Scotia Health is the largest provider of health services in Nova Scotia, with some specialized services also offered to clients throughout Atlantic Canada. We’re on a mission to achieve excellence in health, healing, and learning through working together, which is reflected in the hospitals, health centers, and community-based programs we operate across the province.

Our passionate team of professionals provides a variety of high-quality inpatient and outpatient services including academic, tertiary, and quaternary care, as well as continuing care, primary health care, public health, and mental health and addictions. Join a diverse team of innovators, collaborators, and creative thinkers today.

Nova Scotia Health's Mental Health and Addictions Program is seeking a compassionate and collaborative physician to join the interdisciplinary team providing Addiction Medicine services at the Springhill Inpatient Withdrawal Management Unit (IWMU) and Recovery Support Centre, located at All Saints Springhill Hospital.

This position offers a unique opportunity to provide both inpatient and outpatient Addiction Medicine care, supporting individuals throughout their recovery journey—from medically supported withdrawal management to ongoing community-based treatment, including Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT) and recovery-oriented care.

The successful candidate will primarily practice in Springhill and may provide occasional clinical support to the Amherst Recovery Support Centre, based on operational requirements.

The position is 0.4 FTE and may be filled by a single physician or shared among multiple physicians. Flexible scheduling allows physicians to balance this role with other clinical practices.

The physician will work as part of an experienced interdisciplinary team that includes nursing, social work, counselling and other Mental Health and Addictions professionals committed to delivering evidence-informed, patient-centered addiction care.

This position reports to the Mental Health and Addictions Physician Lead, Addiction Medicine.

Responsibilities

Inpatient Withdrawal Management Unit

• Provide medical assessment, admission, stabilization and ongoing management of patients admitted for medically supervised withdrawal.
• Diagnose and manage withdrawal from alcohol, and other substances using evidence-based protocols.
• Initiate and optimize pharmacologic treatment for substance use disorders, including Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT) where clinically appropriate.
• Collaborate with nursing, allied health professionals and community partners to facilitate safe discharge planning and transition to ongoing treatment.
• Participate in interdisciplinary rounds and contribute to continuous quality improvement initiatives.

Recovery Support Centre

• Conduct comprehensive outpatient Addiction Medicine assessments and ongoing follow-up.
• Provide Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT) and other evidence-based pharmacologic treatments for substance use disorders.
• Develop individualized treatment plans in collaboration with patients, families (where appropriate) and the interdisciplinary team.
• Provide ongoing monitoring and support for patients receiving addiction treatment.
• Facilitate referrals to community programs, primary care and other Mental Health and Addictions services.
• Deliver trauma-informed, culturally safe and recovery-oriented care that promotes patient autonomy and engagement.

Collaborative Practice

• Work collaboratively with primary care providers, hospital services and community partners to ensure seamless transitions across the continuum of addiction care.
• Participate in interdisciplinary case discussions and quality improvement initiatives.
• Provide occasional clinical support to the Amherst Recovery Support Centre as operationally required.

Expected Hours

• 0.4 FTE (approximately 15 hours per week for 46 weeks annually).
• Flexible weekday daytime schedule.
• The position may be shared among two or more physicians.

Remuneration

• This position is funded through an Alternative Payment Plan (APP) with a deliverables agreement.

• Enhanced remuneration is available for physicians holding recognized certification in Addiction Medicine in accordance with the current Physician Agreement.

Incentives 

Nova Scotia Health offers a variety of incentives designed to relieve some of the pressure, cost, and difficulty that comes with relocation. 

View Incentive Details Here

Benefits

Successful candidates may be eligible for our benefits package including health and dental, EMR grants, funded locum coverage, CME funding, parental leave, and more!

Visit www.doctorsns.com for more information.

Applicants must:

• Hold a current medical license issued by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia (CPSNS), or be eligible for licensure.
• Be eligible for certification with the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, as appropriate.
• Hold, or be eligible to obtain, active medical staff privileges with Nova Scotia Health.
• Maintain membership with the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA).
• Certification in Addiction Medicine through the College of Family Physicians of Canada or another recognized certifying body is considered an asset. 

Clinical Experience

Experience in Addiction Medicine, inpatient withdrawal management, Opioid Agonist Treatment, or substance use care is considered an asset.

Nova Scotia Health provides orientation, mentorship and ongoing clinical support for physicians who wish to develop expertise in Addiction Medicine.

Community Details

Located in the scenic Cumberland region of Nova Scotia, Springhill is a welcoming community with a rich history, affordable living and close proximity to Amherst, the Bay of Fundy and the Nova Scotia–New Brunswick border. Physicians enjoy a strong sense of community while working within an integrated regional healthcare system that supports innovation, collaboration and work-life balance.

Practicing in Nova Scotia

Physicians in Nova Scotia provide fulfilling patient care which embraces family life, professional development and community involvement. That's what makes practicing medicine in Nova Scotia unique. Physicians are increasingly attracted to practices that offer team-based care to their patients and allow them to consult with their peers. The size and scale of Nova Scotia allows for better connections across the health care system. Your practice of medicine and your life is richer here. Nova Scotia is more than medicine. 

Building a Diverse Workforce

The Physician Recruitment Team at Nova Scotia Health lives and works in Mi’kma’ki, the unceded and ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq people. We are dedicated to equity, diversity, inclusion, and truth and reconciliation, and we are working to support medical communities that are reflective of and responsive to the diverse populations they serve in Nova Scotia. We welcome physicians from diverse backgrounds and experiences to join us in building healthier, more equitable communities across the province.