Role and Facility Information

SUMMARY OF THE ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES
Within the context of a client and family centered model of care and, in accordance with the Mission, Vision, Values and strategic directions of Northern Health Authority (NHA), the Associate Physician (AP) Acute (Emergency, Inpatient & Extended Care) serves as a physician extender to physicians and surgeons providing acute inpatient medical or surgical care; physicians providing care in the Emergency Department of the hospital; and patient care in Northern Health owned and operated Extended Care. On a day-to-day basis, the AP performs services within the scope of an AP’s clinical duties and responsibilities while under the supervision of an identified member of the hospital medical staff and is accountable to the Medical Director. The AP supports the provision of continuous care in a team-based environment working collaboratively with the Most Responsible Physician (MRP). Consistent with the role of Family Physicians (FP) in the health system, the AP will work under supervision of the FP or Specialist to evaluate, diagnose, treat, and provide consultation to patients with acute, chronic and complex illnesses, diseases, injuries, and functional disorders of all body systems; this may include long term care, palliative care and addiction medicine. This may include perioperative care but generally excludes preoperative assessments of patients for determination of fitness for surgery and immediate post-operative care. The AP will provide history and physical examinations, advance care planning, the ordering and interpretation of diagnostic studies, including laboratory, diagnostic imaging, and electrocardiographic examinations, and the administration of medications normally considered part of the practice of hospital medicine. Working in collaboration with the Attending, the AP may provide care to patients in critical/acute care settings in conformance with unit policies and AP Program Accreditation. In collaboration with the Attending, the AP will assess, stabilize, and determine the disposition of inpatients with emergent conditions consistent with medical staff policy regarding emergency and consultative call services.
Northern Health Authority is recognized for its commitment to improving health outcomes in a geographically diverse and often remote region. We place a strong emphasis on collaborating with local communities, Indigenous populations, and healthcare providers to address the unique health needs and challenges faced by residents in the northern area, and are committed to our values of empathy, respect, collaboration and innovation.

FUNCTIONAL REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
The Associate Physician, Acute reports administratively to the Health Services Administrator and works under the supervision of the Attending Physician.
Associate Physician Acute (Emergency, Inpatient and Extended Care)

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
1. Participates in patient rounds under the supervision of the Attending Physician and along with other
care team members.
2. Assesses the day-to-day care of patients, including writing medical orders, consultations with other
services, and responding to changing patient conditions, in consultation with MRP physician.
3. Performs and documents admission history and physical examinations, progress notes, discharge
summaries, and medication reconciliation as per CPSBC and organizational standards, policies, and
guidelines.
4. Participates in the evaluation of Emergency Department patients under the supervision of the
Attending Physician along with other care team members.
5. Assesses the day-to-day care of patients, including writing medical orders, consultations with other
services, and responding to changing patient conditions, in consultation with attending staff.
6. Performs and documents admission history and physical examinations, progress notes, discharge
summaries, and/or medication reconciliation as per CPSBC and organizational standards, policies,
and guidelines.
7. Develops treatment plans in response to changing patient conditions, where appropriate and in
consultation with attending staff.
8. Follows through on investigations and in consultation with the Attending staff.
9. Communicates with, and responds in a timely manner to calls from, the nursing staff and other care
team members.
10. Communicates with patients, family members, other consulting services, and trainees concerning
patient care plans, as appropriate.
11. Performs procedures within the scope of their demonstrated competence which may include:
a. Laceration repair
b. Incision and Drainage of abscesses
c. Splinting and casting
d. Cast removal
e. Wound care, including burn debridement
f. Intravenous access, including central venous and intraosseous access
12. Develops treatment plans in response to changing patient conditions, in consultation with Attending
physician.
13. Follows through on investigations in consultation with the Attending physician.
14. Communicates with, and responds in a timely manner to, calls from the nursing staff and other care
team members.
15. Communicates with patients, family members, and other consulting services concerning patient care
plans, as appropriate.
16. Performs procedures within the scope of their demonstrated competence, which may
include: performing phlebotomy for diagnostic purposes to include arterial blood gases, assessment
of surgical wounds, removal of chest tubes, suture repair of simple lacerations, casting, treatment of
abscesses, removal of foreign bodies, removal of anterior nasal packing, and administration of local
anesthetic.
17. Performs the following procedures, where necessary to facilitate urgent patient care: insertion of
peripheral intravenous lines, initiation of intravenous medication, insertion of Foley catheters,
insertion of naso-gastric tubes, and removal of surgical drains/clips.
In any and all of the above, the AP will not proceed until full orientation and competence has been
established with sign-off by the appropriate medical leader (department head, Chief of Staff or
Medical Director).
18. Provides surgical assistance, when required, under the direct supervision of surgeon on the
operating room.
19. Provides rounding on residents of long-term (extended)care and medication reconciliation for patients
in cooperation with family physicians and as part of the routine rotation of employment at the local
acute facility.
20. Participates in professional development activities consistent with the terms required by the College
of Physicians and Surgeons of BC.
21. Attends and participates where required in clinical rounds, morbidity and mortality rounds, and other
educational/research sessions.
22. Participates in quality improvement projects relating to their patient or program.
Associate Physician Acute (Emergency, Inpatient and Extended Care)

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES
Education and Experience
- Must be eligible for registration with the CPSBC in the Associate Physician – Acute class,
under sponsorship of NHA. For further information on AP licensure, please visit Associate
physician | College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC
- Must hold Canadian Citizenship, be a permanent resident or be legally able to live and work in British
Columbia.
- Qualified candidates will hold or achieve Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification prior to
commencing orientation and maintain such certification throughout their employment.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Knowledge and skills to diagnose and manage common medical problems in the medical and
perioperative patient, e.g. chest pain, dyspnea, hypertension, electrolyte abnormalities, pain control,
delirium, etc.
- Confidence and experience in recognizing and initiating response to emergency situations such as
shock, acute coronary syndrome, stroke, etc. Ability to recognize medical instability and address
initial priorities of resuscitation. Able to judge situations where discussion and reporting to Attending
Physician as appropriate.
- Ability to assess and initiate treatment of acute injuries and illnesses in the Emergency Department.
- Excellent English communication, including with patients, families and other health care
professionals.
- Computer and written communication skills including order entry, clinical documentation, and ability to
review relevant diagnostic information and health history.
- Ability and comfort in working in a team-based environment.
- Ability to carry out professional duties in the face of multiple, competing demands.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, and has excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability
to work within a team, and to build relationships with other health professionals and disciplines.
- Demonstrated ability to document in accordance with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of
British Columbia (CPSBC) and organizational standards, policies, and guidelines.
- Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.

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Terms

Benefits and Incentives

Vacation Leave

20 days paid vacation after 1 year of service.

Other Benefits/Incentives

Extended health and dental benefits.

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