Family Medicine - Lunenburg

Lunenburg Family Health, a well-established collaborative clinic since 2009, is seeking a full-time family physician to join their practice team of five full-time physicians, one nurse practitioner, family practice nurse, addiction and mental health counselor, clinic manager, and administrative assistants. Each provider offers same day appointments one day a week for all patients of the clinic.

The clinic is located next to the 55-bed Fishermen’s Memorial Hospital (FMH), an acute care community hospital, where the opportunity exists to work as a preceptor with Dalhousie University medical students and residents. Primary care providers in Lunenburg have a close bond with many of the specialists and allied health professionals due to the outpatient and specialty ambulatory clinics offered at FMH. 

The existing physician team strongly values a comprehensive scope of practice and is keen to welcome an incoming physician who is interested in incorporating in-hospital care, emergency department shifts at FMH, Family Medicine Primary Maternity Care (PMC) at South Shore Regional Hospital (SSRH) in Bridgewater and/or nursing home care into their work. The successful candidate will provide office-based comprehensive primary care alongside these additional clinical opportunities.

Located in Lunenburg, FMH provides inpatient, outpatient, emergency, long-term care (LTC), and community-based services. It has 30 beds in addition to a 23 bed Veteran’s Unit. The hospital is well-equipped with diagnostic and treatment services. Physicians are responsible for up to six inpatients at a given time who are in the hospital units of restorative care rehab, alternate level of care, medical, and Veteran’s long-term care.

In addition, Ambulatory Care has many clinic services throughout the week:

• EKG
• general surgery
• geriatrics
• gynecology
• internal medicine
• nutrition and diabetes counseling clinic
• orthopedics
• orthoptics
• pediatrics
• plastic surgery
• urology
• vascular surgery
• worker’s compensation 

Services: 

• Alternative Level of Care unit (12 beds)
• cardiac respiratory services
• diagnostic imaging (X-ray)
• emergency medicine
• family medicine
• maternal and child services
• medical unit (six beds)
• mental health and addiction services day program
• midwife clinic
• occupational therapy
• palliative care consultation service
• physiotherapy
• restorative care unit (12 beds)

Responsibilities

• ensure the delivery of comprehensive primary health care services to patients of all ages and stages of health or illness
• be accountable for appropriate workload and practice
• continuum of patient care with health care providers within your practice and/or community
• provide care and coordination of community-based care, secondary and tertiary level heath care
• build to capacity within the first two years
• operate within the Bylaws and Rules and Regulations of Nova Scotia Health Authority
• work toward same day or next day access for the practice population
• work in collaboration with other team members in the practice to best suit the community’s health needs
• work with other providers to provide after-hours access and emergency coverage when required
• participate in quality improvement and evaluation activities
• utilize an electronic medical record (EMR) and record all relevant patient details in a provincially approved EMR which is accessible to all collaborating team members

Expected Hours

• full-time
• on call (1:7) for inpatients, additional call stipend paid

• all applicants must be eligible for licensure with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia (CPSNS)
• all family physicians must be eligible for certification with the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC)
• membership with the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA)
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS)

Community Details

Lunenburg is a most desirable community for a wide range of individuals. Here, you live in a peaceful place where the air is fresh, the climate is moderate, and where all modern amenities exist – always amidst natural breathtaking beauty. It is a tourist hub during the summer months as it is rich with heritage and vibrant activity. All year-round, residents enjoy the diverse local shops, working waterfront, and farmers markets that are never more than a few minutes away.

Lunenburg is steeped in art, music, and culture. There is an abundance of opportunity to take part in community groups like an active heritage society, book clubs, and writing clubs. The town boasts some of the finest restaurants in the Maritimes, yet you will likely find that favourite little coffee shop or pub to meet with friends and family. Art galleries are found on almost every street and live theatre or musical event is never far away. Lunenburg attracts festivals every year like Folk Harbour Music Festival, Festival of Crafts, and Folk Art Festival. 

Recreation is abundant. Tennis courts, a golf course, a curling rink, yacht club, bowling alley, swimming pool, and a community centre overflow with stimulating activities. As a port town, you will often find yourself on well-groomed hiking trails that overlook the ocean.  From anywhere in town, the hospital is only a few minutes away. Lunenburg is also only 20 minutes away from the Town of Bridgewater, an active community which contains "big box" shopping, multiplex theatre, and South Shore Regional Hospital. Build the life and career you want in Lunenburg, starting with this video: Practice Here Now

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.  

 

Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) is committed to being a workforce that is free of discrimination, values diversity and is representative, at all job levels, of the people we serve. Our priority groups are Aboriginal People, African Nova Scotians, Persons with Disabilities and Recent Immigrants. Members of these groups are welcome to apply and self-identify if they wish to be considered under our Employment Equity policy.