Medical Officer

As a member of the military, Medical Officers provide primary health care services for Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members, whether at a Canadian Forces Health Services Clinic or overseas in support of peace support, combat or humanitarian missions.

The primary responsibilities of a Medical Officer are to:

• Lead a clinical team of highly trained professionals;
• Promote health protection and education;
• Provide primary health care;
• Promote occupational health and safety;
• Provide medical support to operations; and
• Practice environmental medicine, including aviation and hyperbaric medicine (following additional training).

Work environment

Medical Officers may serve anywhere that CAF members are based. They work in fully equipped medical clinics, whether at a base or garrison, or in a temporary clinic while supporting operations. Their first four years following training are usually spent working in one location, within Canada. Office space and support services are provided by the CAF.

Medical Officers serve an important role in the Canadian Armed Forces, providing direct care to uniformed men and women both at home and abroad. Serving as a Medical Officer means practicing family medicine (or an impressive variety of advanced specialties) at the highest level – without the responsibilities, distractions, and expenses of maintaining a private office.

As leaders of a proficient and highly motivated healthcare team, Medical Officers can be assigned to work in a clinical setting or in the field to deliver primary health care services.

Medical Officers have the opportunity to continually upgrade their knowledge and skills. Many spend part of their service maintaining and enhancing their clinical skills in some of Canada’s leading civilian medical centers.

But there are also unlimited opportunities – and adventures – that can include overseas deployments with the Army, Navy and Air Force; humanitarian missions to developing countries; as well as rugged outdoor exercises.

In times of conflict, Medical Officers rise to a unique challenge: to meet the urgent needs of field hospitals and trauma wards on the front lines. For many Medical Officers, serving Canada’s fighting men and women in an operational environment is a moving and unforgettable experience.

Once they complete their entry-level occupational training, most Medical Officers begin their military career with a three- to four-year posting at a Canadian Forces Base as a General Duty Medical Officer.

During their initial four-year posting, Medical Officers can expect to deploy at least once on either a humanitarian or disaster-relief mission, or to a conflict or post-conflict region.

Medical Officers have great opportunities for professional growth and development. After several years on the job, they may have the opportunity to apply for fully subsidized specialty training in fields that include radiology, orthopedics, general surgery, anesthesiology, psychiatry, internal medicine, as well as physical medicine and rehabilitation. There are also unique opportunities for specialized training in submarine, aviation and diving medicine, aeromedical evacuation, nuclear and biological warfare response, occupational medicine and special operations.

If you already have a medical degree and an unrestricted license to practice family medicine in a Canadian province or territory, the CAF may place you directly into one of the military clinics following basic training. Basic training and military officer qualification training are required before being assigned.