Expression of Interest NSH Cancer Care Program, Senior Medical Director

Company Description

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 centres 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 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. We encourage all qualified applicants who self-identify as Indigenous, Black/African Nova Scotian, Persons of Colour, Foreign Nationals/Newcomers, Persons with Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ to apply and self-identify. 

Job Description

The NSH Cancer Care Program is a population-based cancer control program responsible for the provision, monitoring and evaluation of services which span the continuum from primary prevention, through screening, diagnosis, treatment and care, to survivorship, and to palliative and end-of-life care.  Given the growing burden of cancer on our population, a proactive, coordinated and comprehensive cancer program that addresses the cancer demand but that also aims to reduce the burden of this disease is essential for our future.  The goal is the provision of sustainable, effective and timely cancer control services across the continuum and across all age groups.

Position Summary:

This position has both zonal and provincial accountabilities. Reporting to the Executive VP of Medicine, and working with an Administrative co-lead, the Senior Medical Director, Provincial Program of Care for Cancer (PPCC) provides medical/clinical, academic and administrative leadership and direction for the Provincial Program of Care for Cancer, and oversees the delivery of Cancer Care services at the Halifax and Sydney Cancer Centres, and eight Community Oncology Sites. 

In co-leadership with the Senior Director of Cancer Care, the Senior Medical Director will lead the development and implementation of strategic and operational plans for the Cancer Care Program within the Nova Scotia Health Authority.

Primary accountability will be to the Executive Vice President (VP) Medicine with matrix accountability to Central Zone Vice President Operations.

Responsibilities/Accountabilities:

The Senior Medical Director is responsible for providing medical leadership to the Cancer Care Program within the Nova Scotia Health Authority. Specific responsibilities include:

• Provide advice, analysis and leadership to oncology specialists and related medical practitioners working within the cancer control system.
• Act as physician leader and expert resource to appointed PPCC Division and Program leads, Zone Medical and Operational Leads, Oncology Lead(s) at the IWK, and Medical Officers of Health to ensure engagement and alignment with Program mission, vision and goals.
• Work with the VP Medicine, Zone Medical Leads and government to ensure that the complement of medical, radiation, supportive care and surgical oncologists and gynaecology oncologists is consistent with the needs of the needs of the provincial cancer control agenda.
• Work with Zone Medical Leads to make space allocation decisions and for sign-off of any service changes to a site (e.g. increased/decreased service levels) in collaboration with the Zone operational staff as required.
• Mediates disputes within and across clinical areas, programs, sectors and disciplines, as appropriate, with aid from Human Resources, the Medical Director NSCCP, and the Provincial Zone Medical Executive Director as needed
• Ensure the development and consistent implementation of clinical standards across all zones.
• Maintain processes for the comprehensive review of clinical practice and outcomes at the Zone/Program/Service level to measure and validate compliance with cancer care standards.
• Supports and contribute to site policies and systems related to emergency planning/response, quality monitoring and improvement, service utilization, risk management, occupational health and safety
• Provide consultation, as required, to the ZMED regarding Physician recruitment and succession planning
• Liaise with the Medical Director NSCCP and Provincial Zone Medical Executive Director’s office in the active recruitment of new medical staff members.
• As they pertain to the PPCC, actively assists in managing site overcapacity issues by being the point of contact for medical staff.
• Identifies potential liability issues and legal problems within the QEII Cancer Centre and Cape Breton Cancer Centre.
• Provides advice to the Provincial Zone Medical Executive Director, the Medical Director NSCCP, and legal counsel for specific cases/files, as required.
• The SMDCCP represents Nova Scotia at national tables including CAPCA, CPAC, CCRA and the CCS

In co-leadership with the Senior Director of Cancer Care, the Senior Medical Director will lead the development and implementation of strategic and operational plans for the Cancer Care Program within the Nova Scotia Health Authority. Specific duties include:

• Co-leads the operations of the QEII and Cape Breton Cancer Centre and eight community oncology sites, including the planning, implementation and evaluation of the current service and programs. This also includes management and utilization of resources (human and fiscal) in the co-leadership framework with the Administrative Director Cancer Care.
• Provide leadership to the medical staff and divisional leaders to enhance the delivery of medical care globally from prevention and screening to palliative care and survivorship. This includes medical oncology, radiation oncology, surgical oncology, haematology, gynaecology oncology physicians’ resident(s) throughout the Province and visiting physicians providing care.
• Collaborates with the Administrative Directors, the NSCCP Co-Leads, and the Zone Medical and Operations Executive Directors to develop and implement organizational and care delivery models that are congruent with the provincial vision and goals for cancer control
• Leads program development, implementation and evaluation including development of strategic plans, program goals and action plans in alignment with the strategic directions provided by the Nova Scotia Health Authority.

The Senior Medical Director for Cancer Care Program will be involved in the below key impacts:

• Strategic Leadership: The Senior Medical Director leads cancer control services through provincial and inter-provincial collaboration, ensuring high-quality, evidence-based, integrated, and sustainable care that meets community needs and provincial standards.
• Alignment with Goals: PPCC objectives align with the Nova Scotia Health Authority and IWK’s vision, mission, and values.
• System Impact: Enhances patient safety, service quality, and overall system impact.
• System Transformation: Contributes to evolving the Nova Scotia Health System for current and future needs.
• Sustainable Services: Provides high-quality, sustainable cancer care that supports both short- and long-term goals of Nova Scotia Health Authority/IWK.
• Effective Operations: Ensures effective staffing, management, and care models for accessible and high-quality cancer services.
• Workplace Safety: Maintains a safe and healthy environment for all staff.

Qualifications

• Oncologist/Haematologist with demonstrated leadership experience in cancer care
• License to practice medicine in NS and privileged with Nova Scotia Health.
• The holder of this position will be bound by the hospital by-laws of Nova Scotia Health Authority and the by-laws of Dalhousie University.

Additional Information

Time Requirements:

The approximate time allocated to this position is 0.75 FTE

Applications Requirement:

Please submit your expression of interest and include no more than one-page high level description of your experience related to the position.

Application Deadline:   October 1, 2024

Community Details

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.