About This Opportunity

The Nova Scotia Health Cancer Care Program, Eastern Zone, Antigonish Cancer Clinic, has an opportunity for a General Practitioner in Oncology (GPO) working in collaboration with a dynamic interdisciplinary team, consulting with members of other health professions within the Eastern Zone and provincially as appropriate. The GPO will collaborate with oncology specialists for clinical care, will be accountable to the Nova Scotia Health Authority Cancer Care Program (NSHA CCP) Senior Medical Director, and will be accountable to the Executive Medical Director in their respective zone for professional matters and scope of practice. The GPO will work in a shared care model along with specialists from Medical Oncology, Gynecologic Oncology, Hematology, Radiation Oncology, Urology, Surgery Oncology, Thoracic Surgery, and Palliative Care, as well as other cancer site teams to manage care for cancer patients.

The Nova Scotia Health Authority Cancer Care Program is responsible for cancer programs and services across the province including: cancer prevention and early detection, treatment, follow-up, supportive care, palliative care and end-of-life care.

Responsibilities

• Provides outpatient care to cancer patients seen in a variety of clinical settings including oncology clinics, chemotherapy units, and virtual care clinics.
• Where feasible, provides inpatient consultation and support for patients requiring admission to hospital.
• May assist in the accelerated workup of suspected cancer
• Manages cancer symptoms and treatment-related adverse effects in collaboration with the specialist and health care team.
• Assists in the management of patients undergoing local therapies for cancer including radiotherapy and intra-vesicular therapy.
• Provides follow-up assessments and examinations for cancer patients undergoing surveillance
• Notifies the specialist of changes in the patient’s condition
• Provides on-site support as appropriate
• Available and responsible for providing urgent coverage for cancer systemic therapy infusion reactions
• Available during working hours to address questions related to patient care and to assist with treatment
• For absences, the GPO is responsible for arranging coverage and handover with covering physician.
• If a covering physician is not available, the GPO must contact the referring specialist or Senior Medical Director for Cancer Care to discuss alternative arrangements.
• Participates in oncology-related meetings and continuing medical education.
• Adheres to NSHA Cancer Care Program guidelines and policies to ensure that expected standards of care are achieved.
• Participates in medical practice that is compatible with the Nova Scotia Health Authority’s mission, values and strategic directions.
• Provides local academic and clinical leadership related to the care of cancer patients such as working in a co-leadership capacity with the clinic manager and/ or providing zone medical leadership as needed.
• Participates on Nova Scotia Cancer Care Program initiatives and committees including co-leadership role on zone-based operations and quality committees as time permits.
• Where possible, provides back-up GPO support in other sites within the zone in the absence of the site-specific GPO to ensure there is no compromise to clinical care.

Expected Hours

• Part-time hours
• Patient load is variable

Qualifications

• Eligible for certification by the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC), or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)
• Eligible for licensure with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia (CPSNS)
• Maintain active Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) coverage, and have active hospital privileges at the designated site

Other competencies:

• Previous oncology training and experience is an asset
• Completion of GPO orientation is required prior to assuming their role within the Community Cancer Clinic
• Commitment to ongoing professional education through attendance at educational conferences, Provincial Cancer Network Meetings, Oncology Grand Rounds and other oncology related learning opportunities in order to stay current and maintain competency in oncology care

Community Details

The Town of Antigonish is a family-friendly, creative, university community where the hospital is an easy walk or cycle away from the town centre. The commute to work can be so easy, with minimal traffic and no congestion. The County of Antigonish, surrounding the town, boasts spectacular natural beauty. An agricultural base results in a wonderful farmers' market and easy access to local foods.

In winter you can easily ski or snow shoe on local trails or at the golf course, with groomed trails. Indoor community recreational sports, including hockey, curling, skating, volleyball, and racquet sports are available. Three ice surfaces and two artificial turf fields are located in the area. In summer, swimming, kayaking, and sailing in the Northumberland Strait, the mildest ocean water north of Washington, DC, is irresistible! A university-based rowing club on a local lake offers community lessons. There are numerous local public beaches and swimming holes, spectacular hiking trails, an 18-hole golf course, a boating club, great fishing spots, tennis courts, cycling on little-trafficked back roads and a racetrack. There is mountain biking and disc golf on Keppoch Mountain and a Kan Jam league. You'll be surprised at how few people are in the midst of such immense natural beauty!

You'll find a wide range of fitness and sports programs for all ages, often mentored by local university athletes and coaches. In addition to traditional gyms, a new crossfit gym has recently opened its doors. The local St. Francis Xavier University has superb recreational facilities, with a gym, rinks, a track, courts, and a 25 metre pool, all within the town. St. FX also hosts an impressive lineup of guest speakers, films, arts, music, and theatre events throughout the year, all open to the community.

Antigonish boasts a vibrant arts and culture community where theatre, documentary films, concerts, readings, lecture, visual arts, and arts fairs, abounds. There is ample opportunity to participate, with community choirs and community theatre productions. This strong creative community has partnered with folks in health care and education to create the first community-based arts-health initiative in Canada. An award-winning library serves as a flourishing community gathering space. There is always lots going on in our well-engaged community - the challenge is deciding where to be!

French-language schools and Acadian, Mi'kmaw and African Nova Scotia communities are near town. Antigonish's growing community of newcomers is bringing welcome diversity to a historically Scottish region, contributing to a burgeoning celebration of ethnic culture and food. Antigonish is home to the famous "Peace by Chocolate", owned by a family of Syrian entrepreneurs and peace ambassadors. Day and residential programs integrate individuals with diverse abilities into community activities through L'Arche Antigonish. Two new retirement residences have recently opened. A wide range of service organizations and activist coalitions will welcome you as a volunteer. Halifax, Cape Breton, New Brunswick, PEI, and numerous festivals are accessible for weekend or day trips. The Halifax Stanfield International Airport is a 1-hour, 45-minute drive away.

To learn more about St. Martha's Regional Hospital view the video below from the staff and physicians who work at St. Martha's:

St. Martha's Regional Hospital