Associate Physician | Pediatric Care

Position Summary
Are you a compassionate and dedicated health care professional seeking a rewarding career in a vibrant and supportive community? Interior Health Authority has some exciting opportunities for Associate Physicians in the beautiful Interior region of British Columbia. Surrounded by stunning landscapes, this region offers an exceptional quality of life. You will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on patient care while enjoying a balanced lifestyle.

About the Role
Patient safety is a priority, and a responsibility shared by everyone at Interior Health (IH). The Associate Physician (AP) practices under the direction and supervision of an attending General Pediatrician or Neonatologist and works in a structured team-based specialty care setting to increase capacity and service delivery. Functions as a member of the Department of Pediatrics.

The AP has demonstrated the ability to communicate effectively and has excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to work within a team and to build relationships with other health professionals and disciplines. The AP also has a demonstrated ability to document in accordance with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC) and organizational standards, policies, and guidelines.

Some Key Duties

1. Makes regular rounds with general pediatricians, residents, and other health care providers in the Pediatric ward, NICU, Postnatal Unit.
2. Performs consultations in the Emergency Department under the direction of the attending pediatrician.
3. Works with general pediatricians, neonatologists, nurses, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, dietitians, social workers, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, physician house staff, and other members of the health care team in the development and delivery of the overall patient care program.
4. Communicates with families, consultant physicians, referring, and family physicians concerning patient management plans.
5. Performs and documents admission history and physical examinations, progress notes, discharge summaries, death certificates, medication reconciliations as per College and organizational standards, policies, and guidelines.
6. Manages the day-to-day care of patients, including writing medical orders on charts and consultations of other services and responding to emergencies in hospital, in consultation with attending staff.
7. Participates and coordinates neonatal and pediatric transport under the supervision of the attending staff.
8. Attends high-risk deliveries and neonatal resuscitations in the delivery room setting, NICU, and other areas of the KGH campus.
9. Responds and attends to pediatric emergencies across the KGH campus, in consultation with the attending staff.
10. Performs procedures within the scope of his/her demonstrated competence including: mask ventilation, insertion of laryngeal masks, intubation, chest compressions, vascular access, taking blood samples for diagnostic purposes or arterial blood gases, insertion of naso-gastric tubes and urinary catheters, insertion and removal of chest tube and lumbar puncture. The AP will not proceed with these procedures until full training and competence have been established with sign off by the Department Head or his/her delegate.
11. Arranges consultations with other departments for patient care and investigation.
12. Follows through on investigations and arranges follow-up outpatient visits.
13. Under the supervision of the attending staff, participates in the care of patients referred to the KGH Pediatric Urgent Care Clinic.
14. Participates in quality improvement projects.
15. Attends clinical rounds, morbidity and mortality rounds, and other educational/research sessions with medical students and residents.
16. Participates in appropriate professional development activities (a minimum of 50 hours per year, 25 hours of which must be accredited training recognized by the Royal College of Physician and Surgeons’ Maintenance of Certification Program for healthcare professionals).
17. In alignment with IH’s Occupational Health & Safety Program, employees shall adhere to all Occupational Health and Safety policies and procedures at all times and attend all required training. Employees are responsible to report any identified hazards, unsafe conditions, or incidents to the manager or supervisor immediately.
18. Complies with Associate Physician programs CPD reporting requirements.

Qualifications
Honouring Interior Health’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA), and Pursuant to Section 42 of the BC Human Rights Code, preferential consideration and/or hiring will be given to qualified applicants who self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit).

Education, Training, and Experience

1. Must be eligible for registration with the CPSBC in the Associate Physician – Acute or Community class, under sponsorship of IHA. For further information on AP licensure, please visit Associate | College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC (cpsbc.ca)
2. Must hold Canadian Citizenship, be a permanent resident or be legally able to live and work in British Columbia. Qualified candidates will hold or achieve PALS and NRP certification prior to commencing orientation and maintain such certification throughout their employment.
3. A minimum of 2 years' accredited training as a medical or surgical specialist is required.

Skills and Abilities

1. Knowledge and skills to diagnose and manage common pediatric and neonatal medical problems in the pediatric/newborn patient.
2. Confidence and experience in recognizing and initiating response to emergency situations such as shock and severe respiratory distress in pediatric and newborn patients. Ability to recognize medical instability and address initial priorities of resuscitation. Able to judge situations where discussion and reporting to Attending Pediatrician is necessary.
3. Ability to take a confidential and sensitive history from adolescent patients and an understanding of the limits of confidentiality when caring for mature minors or youth patients.
4. Excellent English communication, including with patients, families, and other health care professionals.
5. Computer and written communication skills including order entry, clinical documentation, and ability to review relevant diagnostic information and health history.
6. Demonstrated ability to foster physical, psychological, and cultural safety for patients and staff within a team-based care environment.
7. Ability and comfort in working in a team-based environment.
8. Ability to carry out professional duties in the face of multiple, competing demands.
9. Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.

Assessment and Probationary Period

1. In accordance with CPSBC licensing requirements, these positions are subject to a 12-week orientation and assessment period (Probationary Period). Ongoing employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the Probationary Period, and subject to a six-month and annual reviews.
2. During the 12-week probationary period, the Associate Physicians will undergo assessment and evaluation of their competence to perform the duties in the intended specialty areas under a supervising physician. The evaluation will include assessment of:
1. Basic clinical skills
2. Communication skills
3. The ability and willingness to function as a member of a clinical team
4. Specialized knowledge and skills applicable to the intended clinical placement
5. Clinical decision-making and the appropriate use of clinical and diagnostic resources
6. Clinical documentation
7. Procedures required to function effectively within the team environment

Remuneration
The AP is an employee of IHA and will be paid in accordance with the provincial guidelines established by the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) at the pay level of Range 9 following a successful 12-week orientation and assessment period, and receives requisite benefits, including four (4) weeks of paid vacation and extended health, dental, life, and disability insurance. During the 12-week assessment and orientation period, the AP will be remunerated at pay level Range 8.

Range 8: $45.64 - $65.60

Range 9: $54.37 - $78.16