Benefits, Payroll & People Experience Manager

Specialty: Addiction Medicine, Family Physician, Emergency Medicine, Psychiatry, Internal Medicine

Type: Part Time to Full Time Practice

FTE:0.1 - 1.0 FTE

City/Town: Edmonton

Recruiting Organization: George Spady Society

Organizational Overview:

The George Spady Society is recognized as a leader in the development and delivery of effective services for the care, treatment, and support of individuals with substance-related disorders and dual diagnoses. People who come to us find dignity, hope and healing as they set a new path towards health and well-being.

We provide a continuum of support services to people with complex life circumstances associated with substance-related and concurrent disorders and homelessness, empowering them to improve their lives through client-centered, evidence-based best practices.

As an organization, we are committed to being Accountable, Authentic, Forward Thinking and working with High Integrity with all our staff and clients.

Medically Supported Detox 
The Medically Supported Detox (MSD) is a 31-bed unit located in Edmonton’s downtown core. The MSD provides individuals with a safe, medically supported space to have their withdrawal symptoms treated, initiate evidence-based treatment, stabilize their health and receive referrals to treatment facilities, mental health supports, and housing. Clients receive self-directed individualized care with the support of the Detox team which includes nurse practitioners, nursing staff, addiction counsellors, social workers, and support staff.

The Medical Detox offers 10 post-detox recovery beds for individuals who have completed the Detox program and need additional non-clinical supports to safety transfer to a new care provider.

While the client's health stabilizes, staff work collaboratively with the client to improve the individual's life. That work is guided by an individual client-led care plan developed in consultation with a social worker. Through that plan, clients can explore goals and issues, and to develop potential solutions that are tailored to their lived experience. Individuals will also participate in the My Recovery Plan tool to help build and foster recovery capital to overcome addiction.

Responsibilities/Duties:

An exciting opportunity with a specialized focus in addiction medicine currently exists within George Spady Medically Supported Detox. If your practice aligns with our clinical foundations with the social determinants of health, recovery oriented, strength based and hope inspired, this may be the opportunity for you to make a difference in the lives of others.

The detox physician role at the MSD requires an integrated knowledge of addiction medicine, counseling, pharmacology, and public health. The physician(s) will be part of a multi-disciplinary team including a Nurse Practitioner, a Head Nurse (Registered Nurse), Licensed Practical Nurse, and various other clinical and administrative support roles

The physician will provide initial withdrawal management for clients presenting with acute intoxication and withdrawal from any substance. Physicians will also initiate treatment for clients diagnosed with a substance use disorder. This includes initiating opioid agonist treatment (buprenorphine/naloxone, methadone, Kadian™ and/or Sublocade™) and pharmacologic treatment for people with alcohol use disorder.

Physicians will complete treatment medicals for various treatment centers in collaboration with the social work team. Physicians will complete medical referrals as indicated and coordinate the transfer of care to a client’s primary care provider and/or specialist prior to discharge.  

Physician shifts will range from 4-8 hours daily, Monday to Friday, depending on preference and availability. There will be a nurse practitioner on site Monday to Friday 8am-4pm to assist patients with their primary health care needs such as on call coverage is not currently required but may be added at a later date depending on the needs of the clients. Shadowing and mentorship opportunities are available if needed as part of our onboarding and training process.

We have a strong partnership with our current pharmacy provider who delivers medications to our site daily.  We will be expanding our medically supported detox and moving to our new building in 2024.

Example of Clients eligible for admission

• Alcohol Withdrawal - Low Risk for Seizures, CIWA < 14, or CIWA < 9 depending on comorbidities and history
• Opioid Withdrawal: COWS < 12, and able to wait 4-12 hours for severe withdrawal to begin to align with medication delivery (e.g., the client should be aware there might be a delay in receiving opioid agonist therapy, and other medications used to minimize the discomfort of withdrawal, including clonidine, clonazepam, and lorazepam).
• GHB Withdrawal - Low Risk for Seizures, CIWA < 9
• Benzodiazepine Withdrawal - Low Risk for seizures, CIWA < 9
• Amphetamine Withdrawal
• Stabilization/recovery admissions (e.g., recent return to use with low risk of severe withdrawal).
• Clients already stabilized on opioid agonist treatment from a community provider.
• Clients that require a "bridge" between rehabilitation, housing, or sober living placements.

Example of clients NOT eligible for admission:

• Alcohol Withdrawal - High Risk for Seizures, or CIWA > 15 (impending delirium tremens).
• Opioid Withdrawal - COWS > 12; requiring immediate opioid agonist treatment and/or other medications to manage withdrawal, or COWS > 25.
• GHB Withdrawal - High Risk for Seizures, or CIWA > 15 (impending delirium tremens)
• Benzodiazepine Withdrawal - High Risk for Seizures, or CIWA > 15 (impending delirium tremens)
• Prenatal Clients - Technically, all prenatal clients in withdrawal require specialist consultation from an OBGYN based on best practice clinical guidelines.
• Clients requiring more than Q4H assessments/vitals by nursing staff
• Clients requiring oxygen therapy
• Clients requiring IV therapy of any kind (with the exception of short-term IV antibiotics that can be done by community paramedics on site)
• Clients with mobility limitations requiring assistance with transfers

Qualifications:

The successful candidate(s) will have an MD, with a CCFP or FRCPC designation (specialist in emergency medicine, internal medicine, psychiatry, with others to be considered on a case-by-case basis). Additional training and certification in addiction medicine is considered an asset (Certificate of Added Competence in Addiction Medicine, Diplomate of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in Addiction Medicine, American Board of Preventive Medicine (Addiction Medicine) and/or International Society of Addiction Medicine).  Those with a keen interest in learning addiction medicine are also encouraged to express interest. Experience with withdrawal management and an ability to effectively manage patients with acute substance related intoxication and withdrawal are necessary. All applications should have already secured approval from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta to initiate opioid agonist treatment.

Contract Position Compensation:

Remuneration is fee for service

Part-Time: 2-7 clients to be assessed daily.

Full-Time: 15 clients to be assessed daily.

Income guarantee if a full slate of patients is not seen within a designated shift at a rate of $222/hour.

Contact:

Interested candidates should submit curriculum vitae outlining their current clinical experience, and the names of three references to: Dawn-Marie Diab, Director of Human Resources at ddiab@gspady.ab.ca

Applications will begin being reviewed immediately; however, the competition will remain open until suitable candidates are found. This position is not sponsorship eligible. We thank all applicants for their interest; only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. based on merit. We are committed to the principle of equity in employment. We welcome diversity and encourage applications from all qualified people, including persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities and Indigenous persons.

All new offers of employment are subject to a Police Information Search including a Vulnerable Sector Check.