About This Opportunity

Each of the four administrative Zones within the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) have 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 geographic based; there are 14 networks in Nova Scotia, with five in the Central Zone. The Networks serve as a mechanism to facilitate linkages across all health system and community partners, linking primary, secondary, tertiary, and diagnostic care across settings (hospital, community, long term care).

Mandate:

Reporting to the Head, Department of Family Practice, Central Zone and working within a co-leadership model with the network Primary Health Care Manager, the network community family practice 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 NSHA strategic imperatives.

Accountabilities

• Support the 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.
• Meet with the respective Zone Department Head in person or via e-technology at a minimum once a month. Meetings will focus on network and departmental updates.
• 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.
• Advise and assist the Zone Department Head in family physician recruitment and retention within the Network. This includes activities such as:
• Contacting retiring physicians, reviewing data gathered about their practice, making recommendations regarding replacements.
• Meeting with potential new recruits, working with the Zone Recruitment Officer, making recommendations to the Head regarding payment models and deliverables.
• 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.
• 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.
• Attend meetings of network physicians (where there are meetings) as required either accompanying the Zone Department Head or attending in their stead.
• Liaise with the regional hospital and CEC site leads in the network where applicable through the Network Council and on an ad hoc basis.
• 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, and referring more significant issues to Head or ZMED.As the organization matures, areas of responsibility may change to create needed alignment of Departments and networks.

As the organization matures, areas of responsibility may change to create needed alignment of Departments and networks.

Qualifications

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

Community Details

Dartmouth is a great place for getting outside and appreciating its natural beauty on land and water. In addition to its green spaces, the City of Lakes boasts 23 lakes that provide opportunities for kayaking, windsurfing, canoeing and swimming. Lake Banook is a world-class paddling course, where regattas are often held. The city features many parks and walking trails and easy access to the unspoiled coastal beauty of the Eastern Shore.

The urban centre across the harbour from downtown Halifax offers visitors everything from family restaurants, global cuisine, breweries and brewpubs, celtic pubs, and romantic bistros to traditional bakeries and fish & chip shops. On Saturdays, the Alderney Landing Farmers' Market provides marketgoers with an amazing selection of baked goods, ethnic dishes, and more..

Known affectionately as the City of Lakes, Dartmouth sits across the harbour from Halifax, sharing its urban energy and cosmopolitan feel but with a charm all its own: see for yourself, here!