Medical Health Officer - (217249)

Island Health; Nanaimo; Hybrid; CAD 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health authority seeks Medical Health Officers to enhance public health initiatives across Vancouver Island. Successful candidates will lead health programs, focus on diverse health issues, and support Indigenous health practices. With flexible work arrangements, this role fosters a commitment to community service and quality care.

Qualifications

• Medical Doctor with a specialization in Public Health.
• Fellowship with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
• Medical License from the BC regulatory body.

Responsibilities

• Provide medical leadership for public health services.
• Enforce public health legislation within designated areas.
• Engage with community on health issues and research.

Skills

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Strategic thinking

Education

Medical Doctor

Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in Public Health and Preventive Medicine

Medical License from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia

Job description

In accordance with the Vision, Purpose, and Values, and strategic direction of the Vancouver Island Health Authority (Island Health), patient and staff safety is a priority and a shared responsibility. The requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position, including cultural safety and humility. Island Health and its employees are committed to culturally safe health and care, respecting Indigenous health and wellness beliefs, practices, customs, and ceremonies, unique to Vancouver Island First Nations, Metis, and Inuit peoples.

We have multiple openings for Medical Health Officers (MHO) within our growing public health team at Island Health. These roles offer opportunities to practice public health and provide expert leadership for policies, programs, and services aimed at improving health and reducing health inequities in a diverse population of 916,000. Your practice can focus on urban or rural and remote population health issues, as well as regional leadership in health assessment, communicable disease control, environmental health, healthy public policy, mental health promotion, substance use, Indigenous health, injury prevention, or other public health areas of interest. Joining our expanding team offers the chance to build or continue your career, mentor residents, and participate in research. MHOs can reside anywhere in the region, including Victoria, Nanaimo, or smaller communities, with hybrid work arrangements available.

Reporting to the Chief Medical Health Officer, the MHO is part of a team dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of Vancouver Island's population. The role aligns with the Vision, Purpose, and Values of Island Health, the Ministry of Health's Guiding Framework for Public Health, the Public Health Act, and other relevant legislation.

The MHO recognizes the rights of Indigenous peoples to self-governance. Advancing reconciliation and respecting Indigenous sovereignty, in line with the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, is a key priority.

The MHO provides medical leadership for public health services, population health assessment, and community engagement within designated areas. They are responsible for enforcing public health legislation in these areas and occasionally in other regions of Island Health.

Qualifications: Education, Training, and Experience

• Medical Doctor and a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in Public Health and Preventive Medicine
• Medical License from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia

Skills and Abilities

• Strong leadership, interpersonal, communication, and strategic thinking skills
• Commitment to client-focused services and teamwork
• Evidence-informed practice record
• Ability to manage administrative, professional, and operational aspects of public health programs effectively
• Ability to foster a culture of continuous quality improvement

Remuneration is determined by the provincial Physician Master Agreement as Community Medicine/Public Health Area C, available at Negotiated Agreements with the Doctors of BC - Province of British Columbia, with terms and conditions outlined at Island Health Collective Agreements & Benefits. The detailed job description can be found at https://jd.viha.ca/JD5630.pdf.