Family Medicine - Eskasoni First Nation - Eskasoni Health Centre

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

Join an established collaborative family practice in Eskasoni First Nation working alongside 3 physicians, 3FPNs, LPN, Diabetes RN, Social Worker, Dietician and experienced administrative staff to provide primary care to the community.  

With a vibrant population of 4,500+ members, Eskasoni prioritizes the health and well-being of its youth through events and initiatives that foster active, healthy lifestyles. Guided by a deep respect for the environment and a shared sense of responsibility, the community continues to thrive as a culturally rich and dynamic place. The Centre focuses on holistic wellness—integrating physical, mental, emotional, and cultural health for the Eskasoni community.

Eskasoni Health Centre is located within 30-40 min of regional and community hospitals for practitioners seeking to provide hospital/UTC/ED services as part of their practice. Long-term care service provision is also an option. 

Responsibilities

• provide comprehensive, full-scope primary health care to practice patients of all ages and stages of health and illness
• maintain timely and accurate patient records using a provincially approved electronic medical record (EMR)
• participate in quality improvement, practice evaluation, and other activities that support the delivery of safe, effective, patient-centered care
• attend regular physician and team meetings
• comply with the Medical Staff Bylaws, Rules and Regulations, policies, and professional standards of Nova Scotia Health
• partake in continuing medical education (CME) and professional development opportunities 
• participate in teaching of medical learners

Expected Hours

There are options for locum, short/long-term contracts, as well as part- and full-time for interested, qualified candidates.

• Full-time Equivalency: up to 1.0 Full-time 
• weekly hours: 37.5hrs/week
• 46/52 weeks per year 

Remuneration

• Longitudinal Family Medicine First Nation (LFM FN) contract approximately CAD $400,000-415,000

Incentives 

Eligible physicians may qualify for recruitment incentives, relocation support and site visit reimbursement through Nova Scotia Health and the Province of Nova Scotia. View Incentive Details Here

Benefits 

Successful candidates may be eligible for a benefits package through Doctors Nova Scotia including health and dental, EMR grants, CME funding, parental leave, and physician advisors. Visit Doctors Nova Scotia for more information. 

Province of Nova Scotia offers funded locum coverage and the Physician Retirement Fund matching program. 

Qualifications

• all applicants must be eligible for licensure with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia (CPSNS)
• all applicants must be eligible for certification with the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC)
• membership with the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA)
• Cultural knowledge and understanding of the legacy of residential schools, colonization, assimilation, and the impacts of such history on the health of Indigenous peoples
• Cultural sensitivity & awareness for Indigenous cultures and practices, with an openness to learning and engaging with Indigenous communities
• Possess a thorough understanding of the social determinants of health of Indigenous peoples in Canada
• Experience working with Indigenous communities is an asset
• Mi’kmaq language an asset

Additional Information

Facility Information

Eskasoni Health Centre is the largest on-reserve health centre in Atlantic Canada, providing culturally rooted, community-based healthcare for all ages. Eskasoni Health Centre operates as a Health Home bringing together a team of professionals who work collaboratively to provide coordinated, patient-centred care to members of the Esaksoni community including:

• Primary Care: doctors, nurses, screening, illness/injury care, health education.
• Mental Health & 24/7 crisis centre, counseling, addictions support, cultural healing
• Nutrition & Diabetes: individual counseling, workshops, cooking classes, diabetes clinic.
• Specialized Services: lab and ultrasound, opioid recovery, wellness centre, social work.
• Child & Youth Programs: Head Start, youth space, therapy, family support.
• Home & Community Care: in-home nursing, wound and palliative care, foot care.
• Public Health Nursing: immunizations, screenings, harm reduction, school programs.
• Maternal & Oral Health: prenatal/postpartum care, home visits, early oral health support.
• Medical Transportation: travel assistance to appointments outside the community.

Read more about Eskasoni Health Centre here

Community Details

Nestled along the picturesque shores of the Bras d’Or Lake in Eastern Cape Breton Island, Eskasoni First Nation stands proudly as the largest Mi’kmaq community in the world. Our community is deeply rooted in Mi’kmaq culture, home to the largest Mi’kmaq-speaking population, where traditional knowledge and values are cherished and passed down through generations.

Eskasoni has built a strong foundation for growth and prosperity, with a community-operated school system from kindergarten to grade 12, a supermarket, community rink, and cultural centre. A thriving private sector further supports the community’s development.

With a vibrant population of 4,500+ members, Eskasoni prioritizes the health and well-being of its youth through events and initiatives that foster active, healthy lifestyles. Guided by a deep respect for the environment and a shared sense of responsibility, the community continues to thrive as a culturally rich and dynamic place. Read more here about Eskasoni Community

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.