Physician – Inpatient Addiction Medicine Consult Service - Halifax, NS

Company Description

Nova Scotia Health is the largest provider of health services in Nova Scotia, delivering care through hospitals, health centres and community-based programs across the province. Join Nova Scotia's thriving healthcare ecosystem, where your expertise is valued and your contributions drive innovative, compassionate care for generations to come.

Job Description

Nova Scotia Health's Mental Health and Addictions Program is seeking physicians interested in joining the Inpatient Addiction Medicine Consult Service (IAMCS) at the Halifax Infirmary (HI) site of the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

This is an exciting opportunity to work with an experienced, collaborative interdisciplinary team providing specialized Addiction Medicine consultation to patients admitted to hospital with substance use disorders and related health complications.

The IAMCS supports inpatient medical and surgical teams in delivering evidence-informed, compassionate and patient-centred care to individuals experiencing substance-related harms. The service provides consultation throughout hospitalization, supporting the management of substance use disorders, withdrawal syndromes, acute intoxication, and other complex medical and psychosocial challenges associated with substance use.

We are seeking physicians interested in providing either casual coverage (full or partial weeks) or regular scheduled coverage (one full week approximately every six weeks). There is flexibility to accommodate different levels of availability and clinical interest.

This is an excellent opportunity for physicians with existing Addiction Medicine experience, as well as those looking to expand their knowledge and clinical expertise in this growing area of practice.

Physicians will work alongside an established interdisciplinary team that includes nursing, social work, administrative support and other collaborating professionals. A successful candidate will provide care at the HI site and telephone-based decision support and system navigation to other physicians, nurse practitioners and pharmacists province-wide during operational hours.

The position reports to the Acute Care Lead for Addiction Medicine (ACLAM) within Nova Scotia Health's Mental Health and Addictions Program.

Responsibilities

The physician will provide consultative Addiction Medicine services to patients receiving care at the Halifax Infirmary, including:

• Providing comprehensive substance use assessments and clinical recommendations to the emergency department and inpatient medical and surgical teams.
• Supporting the management of substance use disorders and related complications throughout hospitalization.
• Providing evidence-informed pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment recommendations, including:
  • Alcohol use disorder and alcohol withdrawal management.
  • Opioid use disorder, opioid agonist treatment (OAT) and IV opioid agonist treatment (iOAT)
  • Management of stimulant, benzodiazepine and other substance use disorders.
  • Prescribed alternatives to the toxic illicit drug supply, where appropriate.
  • Management of substance-related intoxication, withdrawal and other acute complications.
• Supporting the implementation of harm reduction strategies in accordance with Nova Scotia Health's Harm Reduction Policy.
• Promoting patient engagement in hospital-based care and supporting strategies to reduce barriers to treatment.
• Collaborating with inpatient teams, consulting service nurses, allied health professionals and community partners to facilitate continuity and transitions of care.
• Participating in interdisciplinary rounds and contributing to clinical education, knowledge sharing and quality improvement initiatives.

Expected Hours and Scheduling

The working hours for the position are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  The position excludes statutory holidays and weekends. The duty schedule will be arranged flexibly in cooperation with other physicians providing services to this team.

We are seeking physicians for two types of coverage opportunities:

1. Casual Coverage

• Opportunities to provide coverage for full or partial weeks, based on individual availability.
• Ideal for physicians interested in occasional inpatient Addiction Medicine work or supplementing an existing clinical practice.
• Flexible scheduling coordinated with the existing physician group.

2. Regular Scheduled Coverage

• Opportunity to participate in the regular physician rotation, providing one full week of coverage approximately every six weeks.
• Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Approximately eight to nine weeks of coverage annually.
• Schedule coordinated collaboratively with other physicians providing services to the team.

There is flexibility in the level of participation, and physicians are welcome to express interest in either or both arrangements.

Remuneration

This position is funded through a Sessional Arrangement (hourly rate), currently $177.48/hour.

Qualifications

Applicants must:

• Hold a current medical license issued by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia (CPSNS), or be eligible for licensure.
• Be eligible for certification with the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, as appropriate.
• Hold, or be eligible to obtain, active medical staff privileges with Nova Scotia Health.
• Maintain membership with the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA).

• Certification in Addiction Medicine through the College of Family Physicians of Canada or another recognized certifying body is considered an asset. 
  
  Clinical Experience

• Experience working as a physician in Addiction Medicine, particularly in hospital-based care, opioid agonist treatment, withdrawal management and community-based harm reduction settings, is considered an asset.

• Physicians with varying levels of Addiction Medicine experience are encouraged to express interest. Nova Scotia Health will provide orientation, mentorship and ongoing clinical support to physicians interested in developing or expanding their expertise in inpatient Addiction Medicine.

Additional Information

Facility Information

The IAMCS is a service based in Halifax, Nova Scotia at the Halifax Infirmary.

Community Details

Halifax is the capital city of Nova Scotia and the largest city in eastern Canada.  It’s home to eight universities and colleges, national and international corporate offices, and every urban lifestyle attraction a resident or visitor could desire. A safe and lively city, Halifax is where a diversity of people gathers to work, eat, drink, shop and celebrate.  

Central Halifax is characterized by a mix of historic and modern architecture, reflecting the city's evolution over centuries.  At the foot of the city’s downtown, where it meets the harbour, the waterfront boardwalk is an urban pedestrian playground of restaurants, pubs, shops, cafes, public art beer gardens, and historic sites. Nature enthusiasts are also drawn to Halifax for its proximity to scenic beauty. Exploring the city's parks and green spaces provides a tranquil respite from urban life.  

Learn more about Halifax here!

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.