Addiction Medicine - North Sydney & Sydney - Recovery Support Centre, Opioid Recovery Program & Inpatient Withdrawal Management

Company Description

Nova Scotia Health is the largest provider of health services in Nova Scotia, with some specialized services also offered to clients throughout Atlantic Canada. We’re on a mission to achieve excellence in health, healing, and learning through working together, which is reflected in the hospitals, health centers, and community-based programs we operate across the province.

Our passionate team of professionals provides a variety of high-quality inpatient and outpatient services including academic, tertiary, and quaternary care, as well as continuing care, primary health care, public health, and mental health and addictions. Join a diverse team of innovators, collaborators, and creative thinkers today.

Job Description

Nova Scotia Health's Mental Health and Addictions Program is seeking compassionate and collaborative physicians to join interdisciplinary teams at the North Sydney Recovery Support Centre (RSC) and Opioid Recovery Program (ORP) and at the Sydney RSC and co-located Inpatient Withdrawal Management (IWM) service. It is possible for the 2.0 FTEs can be shared among multiple physicians. Flexible scheduling allows physicians to balance this role with other clinical practice settings.

These positions provide evidence-informed Addiction Medicine care within multiple sites including: RSCs that offer comprehensive outpatient addiction treatment, including outpatient withdrawal management, and recovery-oriented care; ORPs offering Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT), outpatient withdrawal management, recovery-oriented care; and an Inpatient Withdrawal Management (IWM) service. The successful candidates will primarily practice in North Sydney and/or Sydney and may provide occasional clinical support at other satellite sites within Nova Scotia Health’s Eastern Zone (EZ), based on operational requirements.

The physician will work as part of experienced interdisciplinary teams that include nursing, social work, and other Mental Health and Addictions Program (MHAP) professionals committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centered addiction care. 

This is an excellent opportunity for a physician seeking meaningful work within an innovative, team-based Addiction Medicine programs. Whether you are an experienced addiction medicine physician or interested in expanding your expertise, you'll be supported by an established interdisciplinary team committed to improving the health and recovery of people living with substance use disorders.

These positions report to the MHAP Physician Lead, Addiction Medicine.

Join Nova Scotia's thriving healthcare ecosystem, where your expertise is valued and your contributions drive innovative, compassionate care for generations to come.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive Addiction Medicine assessment, diagnosis and ongoing management.
• Make pharmacotherapeutic recommendations as part of an integrated care plan.
• Develop an initial case formulation, establish goals of care, and collaborate with patients, families (where appropriate), and the interdisciplinary teams.
• Provide ongoing monitoring and follow-up for patients receiving addiction treatment.
• Work collaboratively with primary care providers, hospital services, community partners and other MHAP services to ensure continuity of care.
• Facilitate referrals and connections to additional health and community supports.
• Provide trauma-informed, culturally safe and recovery-oriented care that promotes patient autonomy and engagement.
• Participate in interdisciplinary case discussions and quality improvement initiatives.
• Participate in a provincial telephone-based on call responsibilities
• Provide occasional clinical support to other RSC and ORP sites within EZ as operationally required.
• Operate within the Bylaws and Rules and Regulations of Nova Scotia Health Authority. 

Expected Hours

• Permanent Full- or Part-Time hours available.
• Most of the hours are expected to be weekday daytime hours, separate from on-call participation
• Weeks of service can be flexible that meet both physician and operational needs.

Remuneration

• This position is funded through an Alternative Payment Plan (APP) with a deliverable’s agreement.  Current APP rate is $306,955 (GP) based on a 1.0 FTE. 

• Enhanced remuneration (current rate of $332,200 based on a 1.0 FTE) is available for physicians holding a Certificate of Added Competence (CAC).

Incentives 

Nova Scotia Health offers a variety of incentives designed to relieve some of the pressure, cost, and difficulty that comes with relocation. 

View Incentive Details Here

Benefits

Nova Scotia Health offers:

• Comprehensive physician orientation and mentorship
• A collaborative interdisciplinary practice environment
• Continuing Medical Education (CME) opportunities

Successful candidates may be eligible for our benefits package including health and dental, EMR grants, funded locum coverage, Physician wellness supports, CME funding, locum coverage where applicable, parental leave, and more!

Visit www.doctorsns.com for more information.

Qualifications

• Hold a current medical license issued by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia (CPSNS) or be eligible for licensure.
• Hold or be eligible for certification with the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC)
• Hold or be eligible to obtain, active medical staff privileges with Nova Scotia Health.
• Medical liability protection, malpractice insurance or other form of indemnity (liability protection) in the manner and amount required by the Registrar (such as coverage with the Canadian Medical Protective Association).
• Certification in Addiction Medicine through the College of Family Physicians of Canada or another recognized certifying body is considered an asset. Enhanced compensation may be available for physicians holding recognized Addiction Medicine certification in accordance with the Physician Agreement (PA 2023-2027).

Clinical Experience

• Experience in providing care for people living with substance use health concerns is considered an asset. 
• Nova Scotia Health provides orientation, mentorship and ongoing clinical support for physicians who wish to develop expertise in Addiction Medicine.

Additional Information

Community Details

As the largest urban area on Cape Breton Island and the island’s historical capital, Sydney is the perfect mix of urban charm and down-home hospitality. This small city offers a blend of rich cultural heritage and contemporary living set against the backdrop of Cape Breton Island’s rugged landscapes. Residents enjoy a range of amenities, from local markets and shops to cultural events that celebrate Cape Breton’s music and traditions. Sydney is a place where the past meets the present, offering residents and visitors a warm and welcoming atmosphere enriched by its maritime legacy and the stunning natural beauty that surrounds it.  

Practicing in Nova Scotia

Physicians in Nova Scotia provide fulfilling patient care which embraces family life, professional development and community involvement. That's what makes practicing medicine in Nova Scotia unique. Physicians are increasingly attracted to practices that offer team-based care to their patients and allow them to consult with their peers. The size and scale of Nova Scotia allows for better connections across the health care system. Your practice of medicine and your life is richer here. Nova Scotia is more than medicine. 

Building a Diverse Workforce

The Physician Recruitment Team at Nova Scotia Health lives and works in Mi’kma’ki, the unceded and ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq people. We are dedicated to equity, diversity, inclusion, and truth and reconciliation, and we are working to support medical communities that are reflective of and responsive to the diverse populations they serve in Nova Scotia. We welcome physicians from diverse backgrounds and experiences to join us in building healthier, more equitable communities across the province.