Senior Medical Director, Correctional Health Services

BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services (BCMHSUS)

Regular, Part-Time (0.5 FTE)

All Correctional Centres

 

Role Summary:

 

Working within the governance framework of the Medical Staff Bylaws, Rules and Policies, and the strategic direction of the Chief Medical Officer, BCMHSUS and Chief Operating Officer, BCMHSUS, the Senior Medical Director (SMD) partners with the Executive Director, Correctional Health Services (CHS) to develop and implement strategic and operational plans.

 

Reporting to the Chief Medical Officer, BCMHSUS, the SMD is responsible for CHS’s medical affairs. The SMD provides leadership and oversees CHS medical leaders, including Medical Directors, Director of Radiology, Community Transition Team Medical Lead, and Dental Practice Lead in their management of day-to-day medical operations with a strong emphasis on primary, mental health, and substance use treatment for the clients. Key accountabilities include strategic medical leadership, physician recruitment and retention, and other physician-related supports. The SMD works in close collaboration with BCMHSUS leaders and members of the CHS Leadership Team and handles physician related matters on behalf of the Chief Medical Officer. The SMD also provides leadership for medical committees and subcommittees within BCMHSUS as appropriate.

 

This senior leadership role plays an essential role in setting a productive, respectful culture within CHS that is essential for safe, quality patient care. Through their dyad partnership, the SMD and Executive Director, CHS are jointly accountable for overall leadership of clinical services and operations throughout CHS.

 

The incumbent works with the Chief Medical Officer, Executive Leadership Team, Director of Medical Administration, and other internal and external partners on all matters related to the contracting of medical staff and medical leadership services. The SMD is a member of the Executive Medical Leadership Team and are an active member of the BCMHSUS Executive Leadership Team. The SMD offers critical insight into the strategic operationalization of CHS as a whole and guides the work of CHS Medical Affairs and is specifically responsible for medical staff and medical leadership within CHS.

 

The SMD brings an understanding of the Indigenous specific racism and the broader systemic racism that exists in the colonial health care structure and has demonstrated leadership in breaking down barriers and ensuring an environment of belonging. The successful candidate will also demonstrate a commitment to beginning and continuing their personal learning journey related to Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, as well as addressing racism more broadly. The SMD shows willingness to articulate and share their learning experiences to contribute to a culture of motivation and inspiration among peers.

 

Through the application of Indigenous-specific anti-racism, they will enhance Indigenous cultural safety to address Indigenous-specific racism, and work towards the elimination of health disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples. They embed Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility into all aspects of work, creating an environment where Indigenous patients feel respected, valued, and understood, and respects Indigenous ways of knowing and healing. The SMD commits to ongoing education and training on Indigenous health and cultural safety, and to empower this work in CHS medical staff as well.

 

The SMD also has knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments. As a strong asset for consideration, the successful candidate will:

• Have foundational knowledge of the social, economic, and political realities of settler-colonialism and its impacts on Indigenous peoples and equity-deserving groups within social and health contexts.
• Understand the impact of social determinants of health-on-health outcomes.
• Show a commitment to learning about and upholding legislative obligations and provincial commitments outlined in foundational documents such as: the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan, Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, the BC Human Rights Code, Anti-Racism Data Act, and the Distinctions Based Approach.

The SMD will also have knowledge of the significant overrepresentation of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples within the BC correctional system, and how this overrepresentation is due to the cumulative impacts of historical and ongoing settler colonial policies, including systemic barriers to economic participation, discriminatory policing and justice practices, and Indigenous-specific racism within health education, and social service systems.

 

They also foster trust through respectful communication, active listening, and honoring equity-deserving people's perspectives on health and wellness and participates in workshops and continuous professional development to stay informed and responsive to equity-deserving groups. They provide patient-centred care that, respects BIPOC experiences and world views ensuring that care plans are culturally relevant and holistic.

 

The SMD fosters relationships with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia and other professional associations and acts as the primary administration link within the CHS concerning medical staff activities to implement and record performance evaluation, credentialing, appointments and re-appointments. 

 

The CHS Senior Medical Director reports to the BCMHSUS Chief Medical Officer.

 

Key Accountabilities:

• Models, shepherds, and champions a Medical Staff and Leadership Culture that is committed to Patient Safety and Quality.
• Provides active medical leadership in the ongoing operations as well as the development of the strategic direction for the CHS.
• Collaborates as an active member of the BCMHSUS Executive Leadership Team, the Health Authority Medical Advisory Committee (HAMAC), and participates in the Medical Advisory Committee (MAC).
• When necessary, establishes clear processes, guidelines and policies that support outcomes consistent with Medical Staff Rules and By-laws. Manages issues related to the Medical Staff Bylaws, Rules and Regulations.
• Provides overall leadership for medical activities within CHS in accordance with the Standards and Codes of Ethics of the organization and the relevant regulatory colleges such as the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia and the BC College of Nurses and Midwives.
• Works with key internal and external partners to aid the accomplishment of goals and objectives provided in the BCMHSUS Strategic Plan and supports in ensuring ongoing availability of qualified and technically competent medical staff.
• Collaborates with the Medical Director, CHS Primary Care and Addictions and Medical Director, CHS Psychiatry, other Senior Medical Directors, Medical Directors, and local medical and operational leaders to enable the integration of quality and safety strategies across BCMHSUS to support integrated and coordinated patient safety activities, quality initiatives, proactive risk assessment and knowledge sharing in an accountable learning environment.
• Develops effective and integrated processes to implement and evaluate quality and safety strategic goals, address patient safety concerns and critical incident reviews with CHS.
• Provides leadership in the planning, delivery, evaluation medical services and ensuring processes exist for effective engagement of medical staff.
• Provides a culturally safe work environment for Indigenous Peoples.
• Provides leadership, supports, and enables CHS Medical leadership and staff in engaging in training and understanding of Indigenous specific racism and the broader systemic racism that exists in the colonial health care structures, and in fostering an environment where Indigenous patients feel respected, valued, and understood.
• Guides, supports and enables CHS Medical leadership; ensures that complaints, quality concerns and negative culture is addressed and resolved in constructive ways that have sustainable outcomes. In collaboration with Executive Director NP, Midwives and Dentists, as well as local Medical leadership, manages medical issues related to professional conduct and oversees investigation/resolution of complaints and concerns regarding medical care.
• Supports the productive working relationship between CHS Medical leaders and operational leaders and dyads.
• Provides oversight of the operationalization of strong medical governance that includes monitoring and assessing the competency of Medical Staff members through peer review; performance improvement; and review of contracts.
• In collaboration with the CMO and the Health Authority Medical Advisory Committee (HAMAC), participates in the development of BCMHSUS medical staff Health Human Resources plan.
• Ensures delivery of effective medical services for CHS in accordance with the established service delivery plan and in compliance with budget, volume and quality targets.
• Works closely with CHS Executive Director dyad and Operational and Medical Leadership team to address and oversee quality concerns - including Critical Incidents - in ways that rectify wrongs and ensure improvement.
• Develops integrated processes and mechanisms to encourage best practices, improve clinical outcomes, and achieve defined standards of care. Engages medical staff and medical leaders in the Quality, Risk, and Accreditation processes.
• Works closely with Quality leadership to ensure that preventative mechanisms are in place, issues are resolved efficiently, and there is confidence in the staff, leadership, public and other relevant internal and external partners using CHS.
• Works with relevant partners as applicable to foster internal networks and partnerships to expedite medical staff recruitment, retention, and compensation negotiation consistent with the established service delivery plan, as well as ethical, regulatory and patient care requirements.
• Works with the CMO in developing an effective financial and workforce plan for designated portfolio area, determines priorities, funding allocations, and approves variances within the context of operational demands. Works closely with BCMHSUS/PHSA Finance to manage assigned budget and administers financial resources.
• As needed, builds relationships with professional associations, external agencies, academic institutions, and other health organizations to influence medical practice, support program planning and teaching activities, and create partnerships and opportunities for students and medical staff development.
• Additionally, the incumbent may represent BCMHSUS/PHSA on legislative and other committees and boards.

 Qualifications

 

Education, Licensing, & Experience: 

• A Medical Degree and eligibility for licensure with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia.
• At least ten years’ recent experience in medical leadership in progressively more complex and leadership roles
• Master’s Degree in Health Administration, Business Administration, or Public Health would be an asset.
• Eligibility for a faculty appointment with the University of British Columbia, School of Medicine required.
• Maintains professional memberships and associations.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents - including Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study - and how they intersect across the health care system.
• Models and supports full team commitment to Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility.
• Continually demonstrates humility in relational and collaborative approaches to leading.
• Commitment to upholding the shared responsibility of creating lasting and meaningful reconciliation in Canada as per TRC (2015) and BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019).
• Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (The Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.).

Knowledge & Abilities:

• A systems thinker with an unwavering commitment to ensuring that medical leadership is playing an active role in creating cultures, environments and relationships that ensure Quality and Safety of Patient Care.
• Uses sound business acumen to develop and foster collaboration and effective working relationships with partners that promote cooperative goals and contribute to an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect. Builds credibility, understanding and trust in the external community to assist CHS and BCMHSUS/PHSA to meet its strategic directions
• Applies superior interpersonal communication skills and expertise to manage conflicts and negotiate effective resolution of issues/disputes, as well as to enroll and persuade where necessary.
• Inspires a shared vision and aligns performance goals and objectives for medical staff to ensure alignment with service delivery strategy while maintaining group cohesiveness, motivation, commitment, and effectiveness.
• Provides timely and appropriate advice and consultation utilizing effective targeted communication strategies, to facilitate effective decision making and operations within the intent of the medical by-laws.
• Uses strategic thinking, taking into account long-term goals assessing options and implications.
• Effective communicator with strong organizational skills, client-focused orientation, and commitment to providing long term quality services.
• Promotes, encourages, and enables medical leadership development.
• Demonstrates a positive record of working effectively with key partners to achieve collaborative and sustainable outcomes.
• Leadership skills, including demonstrated ability and comfort with decision-making responsibilities, coaching and teaching, and the ability to inspire and build confidence in others.
• Demonstrated ability to manage change and create innovative solutions for complex and diverse issues.
• Ability to manage diverse human, financial and physical resources within a complex environment.
• Demonstrates Integrity, humility, and fairness. Engages others to inform robust decision making.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

 How to apply

 

To apply in confidence, please send your curriculum vitae along with a letter of interest to:

Heather Finn

Advisor, Talent Acquisition – Physician Recruitment

Email: heather.finn@phsa.ca

 

Application will be reviewed immediately. Position will remain open until filled.

  

What we do

 

BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services (BCMHSUS) cares for people with complex mental health and substance use challenges. BCMHSUS is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).

 

PHSA plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Create equity – Be courageous.

 

Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services 

 

BCMHSUS and PHSA are committed to anti-racism and equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently excluded groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.

 

One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes ongoing commitments to Indigenous recruitment and employee experience as well as dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya’k̓ula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at indigenous.employment@phsa.ca.

 

Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and exclusion faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and title of BC First Nations and self-determination of all First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. PHSA is mandated to uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents including the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study.