Provincial Medical Director, Cancer Rehabilitation - BC Cancer

Provincial Medical Director, Cancer Rehabilitation
BC Cancer
Regular Part Time (0.45 FTE) – 0.2 FTE clinical / 0.25 FTE administrative


Reporting to the provincial Program Medical Director for Supportive Care, the provincial Medical Director for Cancer Rehabilitation is responsible for providing direction and vision for the clinical, educational, and research activities of the multidisciplinary Cancer Rehabilitation teams at BC Cancer centres including physiatrists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dietitians, and speech and language pathologists. The Medical Director will be supported by 0.25 FTE (1.25 days per week) of protected non-clinical time for leadership activities. In addition, the successful candidate will work 0.2 FTE (1 day per week) as a clinician seeing patients.

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. 

Clinical leadership will include:

• Staying up-to-date with developments in the field
• Developing and updating guidelines, policies, and protocols, and leading quality improvement initiatives
• Maintaining a human resource plan informed by national and international standards and advising the Program Medical Director for Supportive Care as well as other BC Cancer leaders on the human resource needs of Cancer Rehabilitation
• Working in collaboration with regional centre Executive Medical Directors on the hiring of new staff and participating in their orientation and onboarding as appropriate
• Collaborating with Allied Health Professional Practice on professional practice standards
• Facilitating growth in health equity and cultural competency
• Proactive management of patient safety and patient experience, and participation in response to patient safety events
• Providing expert support to other Cancer Rehabilitation team members at BC Cancer centres around the province while also working as a physiatrist within the multidisciplinary team at a BC Cancer Centre
• Keeping Cancer Rehabilitation team members informed of broader BC Cancer objectives, policies, and activities
• Chairing meetings of Cancer Rehabilitation staff
• Using available data and analytics resources to inform decision making
• Representing BC Cancer on committees and in other connections with organizations such as the UBC Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, PHSA and the other Health Authorities, Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, and associations such as the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer

Educational leadership will include:

• Leading creation and maintenance of educational opportunities for Cancer Rehabilitation staff and, at times, BC Cancer staff more broadly
• Participating in the creation and maintenance of broader educational activities such as Supportive Care rounds
• Leveraging expertise at BC Cancer to educate and empower community-based clinicians providing Cancer Rehabilitation services to cancer patients in the community through strategies such as virtual education sessions and promotion of Shared Care
• Providing mentorship to team members and facilitating their career growth

Research leadership will include:

• Leading BC Cancer-initiated research activities in Cancer Rehabilitation
• Facilitating research opportunities and training for Cancer Rehabilitation team members
• Building research collaborations within BC Cancer and with researchers at other organizations, including researchers working in related fields at universities in BC

Direct patient care will include:

• A focus on patients who are undergoing acute cancer treatment or completed acute treatment less than 1 year ago
• Working collaboratively with oncology, nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, nutrition, speech and language pathology and other disciplines
• Care of patients with musculoskeletal or neurologic injury or condition impacting cancer care
• Care of patients with musculoskeletal or neurologic injury or condition related to cancer or its treatment
• Care of patients with lymphedema related to cancer or its treatment
• Helping patients address fatigue and deconditioning
• Providing care for conditions more common in the oncology environment such as steroid myopathy, radiation fibrosis syndrome, post-mastectomy pain, cranial nerve injury, spasticity, radiation necrosis, radiculopathy related to cancer or cancer treatment

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.