Associate Physician - Internal Medicine

at  Island Health

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 responsibility shared by everyone; as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.
The Associate Physician, Internal Medicine, performs clinical duties and responsibilities within the scope of an Associate Physician as defined by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC). Clinical care provided by the Associate Physician will occur in select facilities across the organization under the supervision of the Attending Physician(s). The Associate Physician reports to an Administrative Leader but is accountable to the Associate Physician Medical Leader or delegate for overall provision of quality of care and professional development. The Associate Physician supports the provision of continuous care in a team-based environment working collaboratively with the Attendings, medical residents, nursing, and allied health professionals to care for patients.
The Associate Physician has demonstrated the ability to communicate effectively and build relationships with other health professionals and disciplines. The Associate Physician must have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work productively under supervision and within a team environment. The Associate Physician also has demonstrated ability to document in accordance with the CPSBC and organizational standards, policies, and guidelines.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Apply knowledge of medical conditions and clinical scenarios to plan investigations and management of admitted medical patients; generating differential diagnoses and management plans for common symptoms in medical inpatients such as chest pain, shortness of breath, syncope, cough, abdominal pain, nausea, delirium and altered mental status.
• Recognize clinical instability and emergent situations, with an understanding of when to reach out urgently for assistance to Attending Staff Physician, and when to alter therapy or monitor closely.
• Excellent English communication, with (as circumstances demand) patients, families and other health care professionals.
• Computer-based written communication skills (additional Island Health specific computer training will precede start date) including electronic order entry and clinical documentation.
• Comfort working in a team-based environment.
• Ability to prioritize and time manage appropriately in order to carry out professional duties in the face of multiple competing demands in a busy regional hospital.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position, which involves a fair amount of walking within the hospital, as well as (as noted above) bedside clinical skills and occasional minor bedside procedures.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Under the leadership of the Attending staff:
• Attends to the day-to-day care of medical patients, including writing electronic medical orders, and responding to changing patient conditions.
• Develops treatment plans in response to changing patient conditions. Follows through on investigations.
• Participates in patient rounds, under the leadership of the Attending Staff Physician, along with residents, nurses, and other care team members.
• Performs and documents physical examinations, progress notes, discharge summaries, medication reconciliation, and assists with admission documentation, as per CPSBC and organizational standards, policies, and guidelines.
• Communicates with and responds in a timely manner to calls from the nursing staff and other care team
• Communicates with patients, family members, other consulting services, and trainees concerning patient care plans, as appropriate.
• On occasion it will desirable for the candidate to perform simple bedside procedures within the scope of their demonstrated competence, such as placing simple sutures, or removing chest and abdominal These skills will initially be observed and improved upon by Attending Staff Physicians during the initial months of work to familiarize the applicant with available site equipment and standards, prior to independent performance.
• Participates in continuing professional development activities (CPD) (a minimum of 50 hours per year, 25 hours of which must be accredited training recognized by the Royal College of Physician and Surgeons’ Maintenance of Certification Program for healthcare professionals), and complies with Associate Physician program reporting
• Attends clinical rounds, and makes an effort to attend morbidity and mortality rounds and teaching sessions when
• Willingness to participate in quality improvement projects spearheaded by members of the internal medicine

During a 12-week probationary period, the Associate Physician will undergo assessment and evaluation of their competence to perform the duties in the intended specialty areas under a Medical Leader. The evaluation will include assessment of:

• Basic clinical skills
• Communication skills
• The ability and willingness to function as a member of a clinical team Specialized knowledge and skills applicable to the intended clinical placement
• Clinical decision-making and the appropriate use of clinical and diagnostic resources Clinical documentation
• Procedures required to function effectively within the team environment
• Ongoing employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the probationary period, and subject to a six-month and annual reviews