Associate Medical Director, Supportive Care - Research - BC Cancer

Associate Medical Director, Supportive Care - Research
BC Cancer
Regular Part Time (0.5 FTE) – 0.4 FTE research / 0.1 FTE clinical


Reporting to the provincial Program Medical Director for Supportive Care, the Associate Medical Director, Supportive Care - Research is responsible for leading a research program focused on improving supportive care for people with cancer in BC. The Associate Medical Director, Supportive Care - Research will be supported by 0.4 FTE (2 days per week) of protected non-clinical time for research, education, and other leadership activities, and will also work at least 1 half-day per week in a frontline clinical role as a psychiatrist, pain & symptom management/palliative care physician, or physiatrist.

The role involves close collaboration with the Program Medical Director for Supportive Care and other physician and non-physician leaders including leaders within Provincial Programs, Professional Practice, Nursing and Allied Health Research, Operations, and Indigenous Health. 

Responsibilities will include:

• Staying up-to-date with developments in the field
• Leading original research in supportive cancer care
• Leading and promoting research that spans across areas of supportive care, and promotes coordination of supportive care disciplines and integration of supportive care into larger multidisciplinary teams
• Assisting leaders in Psychosocial Oncology, Pain & Symptom Management/Palliative Care, and Cancer Rehabilitation in promoting research within their respective programs
• Facilitating educational and knowledge translation opportunities for BC Cancer supportive care staff and community partners
• Working with internal and external research collaborators
• Leading Supportive Care involvement in clinical trials
• Leading quality improvement initiatives
• Applying for internal and external funding to promote growth of the Supportive Care research program
• Supervising trainees and clinical staff wishing to engage in research
• Providing or facilitating opportunities for supportive care staff to acquire research skills
• Facilitating the hiring, onboarding, and orientation of new research staff
• Facilitating growth in health equity and cultural competency within the Supportive Care team
• Chairing meetings concerning research, education, and/or knowledge translation efforts in supportive care
• Collaborating with data and analytics and informatics teams as needed
• Representing Supportive Care or BC Cancer on committees as appropriate or as directed by the Program Medical Director for Supportive Care
• Maintaining excellent working relationships with relevant academic Departments and Divisions at UBC, SFU, UVic, UNBC, and other universities as needed

Successful candidates will have:

• Commitment to upholding the shared responsibility of creating lasting and meaningful reconciliation in Canada as per TRC (2015) and BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019).
• Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities impacting indigenous communities and familiarity with Indigenous Cultural Safety and anti-racism and accompanying reports (BC DRIPA, TRC, etc.).

What we bring

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.

• Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
• Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs, including +2,000 courses, such as our San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles.
• Salaried Physicians enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
• Salaried Physicians receive annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
• Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.

What we do

BC Cancer provides comprehensive cancer control for the people of British Columbia.

BC Cancer is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).

(PHSA) plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Cultivate partnerships – Serve with purpose.

The BC Cancer (www.bccancer.bc.ca) is committed to reducing the incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer, and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer. BC Cancer provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of British Columbia in partnership with regional health authorities to deliver a range of cancer services, which include prevention, screening and early detection, diagnosis and treatment, research, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care. It operates six regional cancer centres in Surrey, Kelowna, Vancouver, Victoria, Abbotsford and Prince George, along with two research centres that conduct research into the causes and cures for cancer.

BC Cancer is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) which plans, manages and evaluates specialty and province-wide health care services across BC. PHSA embodies values that reflect a commitment to excellence. These include: Respect people • Be compassionate • Dare to innovate • Cultivate partnerships • Serve with purpose.

PHSA and BC Cancer are committed to employment equity and diversity and hires on the basis of merit. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, including visible minority group members, women, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity. Citizens and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. We recognize that our ability to provide the best care for our diverse patient populations relies on a rich diversity of skills, knowledge, background and experience, and value a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment.

Reconciliation is an ongoing process and a shared responsibility for all of us. The BC Governments’ unanimous passage of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act was a significant step forward in this journey—one that all health authorities are expected to support as we work in cooperation with Indigenous Peoples to establish a clear and sustainable path to lasting reconciliation. True reconciliation will take time and ongoing commitment to work with Indigenous Peoples as they move toward self-determination. Guiding these efforts Crown agencies must remain focused on creating opportunities that implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Mandate.

For more information on all that the PHSA has to offer, please visit: http://careers.phsa.ca

For more information about BC Cancer, please visit: www.bccancer.bc.ca

Applications are invited from candidates with outstanding leadership, planning and administration skills to join the team at BC Cancer.

To apply, please send a letter expressing your interest, curriculum vitae and the names of 2 referees to:

Adeline Chan, Recruitment Services

Email: adeline.chan1@phsa.ca

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.