New job Regional Medical Officer of Health in Nova Scotia

About Us

The Department of Health and Wellness offers opportunities to grow and advance in a dynamic sector that touches the lives of all Nova Scotians. Along with our partners, including the Nova Scotia Health (NSH) Authority and the IWK Health Centre, we’re committed to continually improving our health system. With a focus on continual improvements within the Health System, the department is thinking differently about how to plan, fund, legislate and monitor to improve access and service delivery. To do this, we need leaders at all levels of the organization who embrace a challenge and believe in their ability to make a difference.

About Our Opportunity

As a Regional Medical Officer of Health (RMOH), you will support the DHW Public Health branch by providing leadership in the assessment and measurement of the health of populations and the development of strategies for improving health and well-being through health promotion, disease prevention and health protection initiatives. You will also be responsible for informing, investigating and taking action on any health hazard, notifiable disease or condition, communicable disease or public health emergency that poses a health risk to the population.

You will play a key role in supporting the Nova Scotia Health Authority and IWK by acting as a leader with broad subject matter expertise in public health practice working to promote and protect public health as well as prevent the spread of disease and injury throughout Nova Scotia.

Primary Accountabilities

In this role, you have a direct impact on the high-quality public health in Nova Scotia and the improved health of our population. We count on your expertise to:

• Provide leadership and strategic direction in collaboration with NSH Public Health leaders, and content expertise to health promotion and disease and injury prevention functions of the NSH and IWK
• Provide public health physician expertise to Environment and Climate Change on issues involving the interface between human health and the environment
• Provide a public health perspective to DHW or NSH/IWK discussions and decisions regarding health services and patients
• Provide public health physician expertise to the Senior Director of Public Health, NSH and their senior leadership team
• Provide the public with an independent assessment and voice on issues impacting the health of the public
• Contribute to research and knowledge translation on issues that are of public health relevance to Nova Scotia and participate in the teaching and training of current and future public health and other health care practitioners

Qualifications and Experience

As our next Regional Medical Officer of Health, you must be licensable by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia, and have a fellowship in Public Health and Preventive Medicine from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (or equivalent training). A minimum of 2 years of public health experience is required.

You demonstrate an understanding of disease control, risk assessment and management, the framework of legislation, public health science, inter-sectoral relationships, government policy and general executive direction. You are an innovative thinker with an ability to negotiate and communicate complex ideas and information in concise, meaningful ways. You identify opportunities to encourage greater integration of programs and activities and work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders and partners across health systems. Your decisiveness along with superior organizational and time management skills is essential to your success.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as Health, Dental, Life Insurance, Pension, General Illness (Short and Long Term), Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. Click here to learn more about our various benefits offerings and eligibility criteria.

Working Conditions

• Normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day (will require availability 24/7 during times of emergency)
• May be required to work overtime on occasion and will participate in an on-call system
• Works within an office environment in Nova Scotia with some travel at local, provincial, and national level
• Requires intense ability to concentrate and decipher complex information into decisions and easily understood concepts for senior management and public at large
• Is a key spokesperson for the health of the population and requires interfacing with the media, senior levels of government, and national/international forums
• Often the decisions may require a risk assessment which requires keen listening and analytic skills
• Dealing with highly complex and often scientific/technical issues which will require decisions in an urgent or timely basis
• With the need to balance competing demands of individuals with those of the wellbeing of the whole community the decisions made may be controversial (or unpopular)
• There is a requirement to travel to represent the province at FPT meetings and to contribute to scientific meetings

What We Offer

• Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.
• Engaging workplace. Our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in. We have forward-thinking policies and strategies.
• Countless Career Paths.
• Department Specific Flexible working schedules.