Addiction Medicine - Recovery Support Centre & Opioid Recovery Program

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 at the Amherst Recovery Support Centre (RSC).

This position provides evidence-informed Addiction Medicine care within a Recovery Support Centre that offers comprehensive outpatient addiction treatment, including Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT), outpatient withdrawal management and recovery-oriented care. The successful candidate will primarily practice in Amherst and may provide occasional clinical support to the Springhill Recovery Support Centre and the Inpatient Withdrawal Management Unit, 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 high-quality, patient-centered addiction care.

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

Responsibilities

The successful physician will:

• Provide comprehensive outpatient Addiction Medicine assessment, diagnosis and ongoing management.
• Deliver Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT) and other evidence-based pharmacologic treatments for substance use disorders.
• Conduct patient-centered comprehensive assessments and develop individualized treatment plans.
• Make pharmacotherapeutic recommendations as part of an integrated care plan.
• Develop an initial case formulation, establish goals of care, and collaborate with patients, families (where appropriate), and the interdisciplinary team.
• Provide ongoing monitoring and follow-up for patients receiving addiction treatment.
• Work collaboratively with primary care providers, hospital services, community partners and Mental Health and Addictions programs to ensure continuity of care.
• Facilitate referrals and connections to additional health and community supports.
• Provide trauma-informed, culturally safe and recovery-oriented care that promotes patient autonomy and engagement.
• Participate in interdisciplinary case discussions and quality improvement initiatives.
• Provide occasional clinical support to the Springhill Recovery Support Centre and the Inpatient Withdrawal Management Unit as operationally required.

Expected Hours

• 0.4 FTE (approximately 15 hours per week for 46 weeks annually).
• Flexible daytime week-day clinics.
• Clinic days and hours may be scheduled weekly, bi-weekly or in other arrangements that meet both physician and operational needs.
• The position may be shared among two or more physicians.
• No regular evening, overnight or weekend responsibilities associated with this position.

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, 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

Nestled in Cumberland County near the Nova Scotia–New Brunswick border, Amherst offers an exceptional quality of life with affordable housing, excellent schools, abundant outdoor recreation, and easy access to both Halifax and Moncton. The region combines the advantages of rural living with strong community connections and access to modern healthcare services.

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.