EOI - Family Practice Network Lead - Cumberland

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.

Overview

Each of the four administrative Zones within Nova Scotia Health (NSH) has a Department Head of Family Practice supported by a broader medical administrative structure for family practice, which includes medical leadership at the network level. Community Health Networks are geographically based; there are 14 networks in Nova Scotia, with three in the Northern Zone.

The Networks serve as a mechanism to facilitate linkages across all health system and community partners, connecting primary, secondary, tertiary, and diagnostic care across settings (hospital, community, and long-term care).

Mandate

Reporting to the Department Head of Family Practice in the Northern Zone and working within a co-leadership model with the Director of Primary Health Care, the Family Practice Network Lead provides service leadership and support to ensure that Network medical staff activities are consistent with the overall strategic and operational direction of the Department and aligned with NSH strategic imperatives.

Accountabilities

1. Ensure medical staff of the Department are compliant with the Bylaws and Rules and regulations of the NSHA.

1. Support the Northern Zone Department Head. Examples include responding to physician network inquiries on specific topics, providing contextual information about specific issues, individuals, communities, etc., based on existing knowledge of network and relationships with network physicians.

1. Meet with the Zone Department Head in person or via e-technology at a minimum once a month. Meetings will focus on network and departmental updates.

1. Work in a co-leadership model with the Network Primary Health Care Manager with scheduled check-ins in person or via e-technology. Co-leadership activities include (but not limited to) meeting with physicians, family practice teams and other key stakeholders in the network to support activities associated with implementation of the Health Home Model.

1. Advise and assist the Zone Department Head in family physician recruitment and retention within the Network. This includes activities such as:
   1. Contacting retiring physicians, reviewing data gathered about their practice, making recommendations regarding replacements.
   2. Meeting with potential new recruits, working with the Zone Physician Recruitment Consultant, making recommendations to the Head regarding payment models and deliverables.

1. Chair meetings of the Network Family Practice Council on a regular basis (every 4-6 weeks) in addition to biannual department meetings with the family physicians of the Network.

1. Maintain linkages with family physicians within the Network, working to promote the functions and activities of the DFP including (but not limited to) engaging in ad hoc meetings and interactions with individual physicians and family practice teams, either in person or by telephone.

1. Attend meetings of Network physicians (where there are meetings) as required either accompanying the Zone Department Head or attending in their stead.

1. Liaise with the regional hospital and CEC/UTC site leads in the network where applicable through the Network Council and on an ad hoc basis.

1. Assess minor complaints or SIMS reports concerning family physicians within the network and refer to the Zone Department Head as indicated. This would include activities such as initial trouble shooting and data gathering, resolving minor complaints, referring more significant issues to Department Head or ZMED. Participate in respectful workplace responsibilities as needed in conjunction with the Department Head.

1. Participate in leadership development and shows a commitment to lifelong learning and acquisition and refinement of leadership capabilities.

As the organization evolves, areas of responsibility may change to ensure alignment between Departments and Networks.

Eligibility

• MD (with or without specialty) with an interest in medical leadership and evidence of past and ongoing leadership training.
• Experience as a family physician working in the Cumberland network

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.