Associate Physician | Inpatient & Surgical Assist

Position Summary
How to Apply

Please log into your Health Match BC account HERE. If you do not already have a Health Match BC account, please contact Health Match at Physicians@healthmatchbc.org *(Please do not apply through our Interior Health website).

About the Role:

The Associate Physician (AP) serves as a physician extender to provide care to inpatients in collaboration with the Hospitalist service at KGH. On a day-to-day basis, the AP performs services within the scope of the AP’s clinical duties and responsibilities as a delegate of the Attending Physician, supporting the provision of continuous care in a team-based environment.

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.

Kelowna General Hospital is a full-service tertiary acute care and teaching hospitals located in Kelowna, BC.

Some Key Duties:

1. Participates in patient rounds under the supervision of the attending, along with residents, nurse practitioners, students, and other care team members.

2. Provides day to day care of patients. This includes writing orders, requesting consultations, responding to patient care queries, in consultation with the supervisor.

3. Performs history and physical exams with documentation, daily progress notes, discharge summaries.

4. Provides consults from ER or any subspecialty services in KGH under the supervision of the supervisor.

5. Develops treatment plans for patients under supervision.

6. Follows up on investigations and prescribes treatment under supervision.

7. Communicates and responds to calls from allied health care staff in a timely manner.

8. Communicates with patients and families and other care providers as appropriate.

9. Performs procedures within the scope of their demonstrated competence, which may include: performing phlebotomy for diagnostic purposes to include arterial blood gases, assessment of surgical wounds, removal of chest tubes, suture repair of simple lacerations, treatment of abscesses, removal of foreign bodies, removal of anterior nasal packing, insertion of transurethral catheter and administration of local anesthetic.

10. Performs the following procedures, where necessary to facilitate urgent patient care: insertion of peripheral intravenous lines, initiation of intravenous medication, insertion of Foley catheters, insertion of naso-gastric tubes, and removal of surgical drains/clips.

11. Acts as a surgical assist for surgeons in the operating room when assigned to that service.

12. Participates in professional development activities consistent with AP licensure requirements established by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia.

13. Attends clinical rounds, morbidity and mortality rounds, and other educational/research sessions.

14. Participates in quality improvement projects relating to their patient or program.

15. Complies with AP programs CPD reporting requirements.

Qualfications
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

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)

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 Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification prior to commencing orientation and maintain such certification throughout their employment.

Skills and Abilities

• Certification in Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), which may be achieved within the Assessment period and maintained annually thereafter.
• Knowledge and skills to diagnose and manage common medical problems in the medical and perioperative patient, e.g. chest pain, dyspnea, hypertension, electrolyte abnormalities, pain control, delirium, etc.
• Confidence and experience in recognizing and initiating response to emergency situations such as shock, acute coronary syndrome, stroke, etc. Ability to recognize medical instability and address initial priorities of resuscitation. Able to judge situations where discussion and reporting to senior and most responsible physicians is appropriate.
• Excellent English communication, including with patients, families, and other health care professionals.
• Computer and written communication skills including order entry, clinical documentation, and ability to review relevant diagnostic information and health history.
• Demonstrated ability to foster physical, psychological, and cultural safety for patients and staff within a team-based care environment.
• Ability and comfort in working in a team-based environment.
• Ability to carry out professional duties in the face of multiple, competing demands.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.

Assessment and Probationary Period

• In accordance with CPSBC licensing requirements, these positions are subject to 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.
• 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:
• Basic clinical skills
• Communication skills
• Ability and willingness to function as a member of a clinical team
• Specialized knowledge and skills applicable to the intended clinical placement
• Clinical decision-making and the appropriate use of clinical and diagnostic resources
• Clinical documentation
• 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.