Medical Officer

Opportunity

Are you searching for a new way to use your healthcare expertise to help others? The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) depends on the highest level of life-saving medical care. As officers, clinicians, healers and leaders of a highly motivated healthcare team, Medical Officers enjoy the unique opportunity to practise medicine and serve the CAF with honour.

Overview

Medical Officers provide primary health care services for Canadian Armed Forces 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
• Practise environmental medicine, including aviation and hyperbaric medicine (following additional training)

To be eligible to apply to the CAF, you must:

• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada
• Be at least 18 years old (17 years old with parental consent), except:
  • For the paid education programs you may be 16 years old (with parental consent)
  • For the Primary Reserve you may be 16 years old (with parental consent) and must be enrolled as a full-time student
• Have completed at least Grade 10 or Secondaire IV in Quebec (some jobs need higher levels of education)

Paid Education Opportunities

Medical Officer Training Plan program

Because this position requires a Doctor of Medicine, the CAF will pay successful recruits to complete a recognized Canadian university medical program. This program covers tuition fees and educational expenses, including books, instruments, supplies, student fees and registration costs. Family medicine residents and students already enrolled in a recognized Canadian university medical program may also be eligible for this training plan.

For the duration of your studies and residency, you will receive a full-time salary, including medical and dental care and vacation time, with full pay in exchange for working with the CAF for a period of time. Typically, candidates selected for this program attend university during the regular academic year and participate in additional military training during the summer months. If you choose to apply to this program, you must apply to both the CAF and a recognized Canadian university medical program (medical school).

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.

Basic Military Officer Qualification

At the first available opportunity, you will complete Basic Military Officer Qualification training at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. Medical Officers take the Condensed Health Services Basic Military Officer Qualification Training which consists of two weeks of Distance Learning and four weeks of in-house training in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu.

Topics covered include:

• General military knowledge
• The principles of leadership
• Regulations and customs of the Forces
• Basic weapons handling
• First aid

Opportunities will also be provided to apply such newly acquired military skills in training exercises involving force protection, field training, navigation and leadership. A rigorous physical fitness program is also a vital part of basic training. The training is physically demanding but achievable.

Available Professional Training

Medical Officers must complete the Common Health Services Officer course, which is an eight-day e-learning course available on the Defence Learning Network. The course introduces Medical Officers to CAF policies and procedures and HR management of military members and civilian personnel.

Medical Officers attend the Basic Medical Officer Course at the Canadian Forces Health Services Training Centre in Borden, Ontario, where they are introduced to the organizational structure and history of the Canadian Forces Medical Service and the unique circumstances of practising military medicine.

Available Specialty Training

Medical Officers may apply for the opportunity to specialize their medical practice in exchange for additional years of service. The CAF will subsidize the following medical specializations:

• Emergency Medicine
• General Surgery
• Orthopaedic Surgery
• Anaesthesiology
• Internal Medicine
• Psychiatry
• Radiology
• Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Available Advanced Training

As they progress in their career, Medical Officers who demonstrate the required ability and credentials may be offered advanced training in the following fields:

• Public Health Medicine
• Occupational Medicine
• Aerospace Medicine
• Hyperbaric Medicine
• Tropical Medicine
• Epidemiology
• Healthcare Administration

Direct Entry Plan

If you already have a medical degree and an unrestricted licence to practise family medicine in a Canadian province or territory, the CAF may place you directly into a military clinic. Basic training and military officer qualification training are required before being assigned.

Join the CAF

To learn more about becoming a Medical Officer, visit www.forces.ca, talk to a recruiter at a centre near you or call 1-800-856-8488.

Explore over 100 different career opportunities at www.forces.ca/en/careers.