Public Health and Preventive Medicine

HealthMatch BC; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health organization in Vancouver seeks a Public Health Physician to provide medical expertise for immunization programs and disease surveillance. This role involves collaboration with various health authorities and requires strong epidemiological knowledge and communication skills. The ideal candidate will have a Doctor of Medicine degree and a postgraduate qualification in public health or epidemiology, along with experience in communicable disease control.

Qualifications

• Minimum of one year experience in public health, especially in communicable disease control.
• Registration or eligibility for registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia.

Responsibilities

• Provide medical leadership for immunization programs and disease surveillance.
• Coordinate outbreak investigations and develop control proposals.
• Support high-profile communications and prepare epidemiological reports.

Skills

Communication

Epidemiologic Expertise

Supervisory Skills

Education

Doctor of Medicine (MD)

Postgraduate degree in Epidemiology or Public Health

Fellowship from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (FRCPC)

Job description

Specialty Public Health and Preventive Medicine

Current College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC) License. Full Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) membership required.

Role and Facility Information

Position: Public Health Physician, Immunization Programs and Vaccine Preventable Disease Services (IPVPDS)
Location: BC Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC
Employment: Regular Full-Time (1.0 FTE)

The Public Health Physician provides medical leadership within the Immunization Programs and Vaccine Preventable Disease Services (IPVPDS) team. Reporting to the Medical Director, this role involves providing medical expertise for assessing, implementing, and evaluating provincial immunization programs (e.g., childhood and high-risk adult vaccines) and surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases and invasive Group A Streptococcus infections. Responsibilities include outbreak investigation and management, policy analysis, and strengthening provincial public health networks related to these issues and emergency management.

This role collaborates with communities, Regional Health Authorities, First Nations Health Authority, Métis Nation BC, the Office of the Provincial Health Officer, Ministry of Health, and other partners to address public health issues, uphold Indigenous rights, eliminate anti-Indigenous racism, and promote reconciliation. Participation in BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) and Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) initiatives to foster respect and wellness is also expected.

Key Responsibilities

1. Epidemiologic Expertise: Offer consultation on communicable disease management, investigate outbreaks, and recommend actions based on surveillance data, with emphasis on nosocomial, vaccine-preventable, and respiratory diseases.
2. Communication: Support high-profile communications, prepare briefing notes, media interviews, and liaise with public health personnel and government agencies.
3. Research and Reporting: Publish epidemiological reports, participate in research, and develop surveillance systems and educational materials.
4. Outbreak Management: Coordinate investigations, develop control proposals, and liaise with jurisdictions nationally and internationally.
5. Policy Development: Provide epidemiological advice, develop control policies, and assist in budget proposals.
6. Meetings and On-Call: Attend relevant meetings, conferences, and provide on-call services as scheduled.

Qualifications

• Doctor of Medicine (MD) from a recognized university.
• Postgraduate degree in Epidemiology or Public Health.
• Fellowship from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (FRCPC) or equivalent in Community Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics with Infectious Disease training, or Medical Microbiology.
• Registration or eligibility for registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia.
• Proficiency in computer, clinical medicine, communication, and supervisory skills.
• Minimum of one year experience in public health, especially in communicable disease control. Experience as a Medical Health Officer or epidemiologist is an asset.

Additional Information

Worksite: BC Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC
Hours: 0830-1630, Monday to Friday
Application process: Contact Health Match BC
About PHSA and BCCDC: Dedicated to preventing and controlling communicable diseases, promoting environmental health, and fostering equity and inclusion, especially for Indigenous communities.