Chief of Emergency Medicine

THE ORGANIZATION

Southlake Regional Health Centre is a full-service hospital with a regional, clinically advanced focus.

Southlake offers 500 patient beds and accommodates more than 113,000 visits to the Emergency Department, nearly 25,000 in-patient admissions, and more then 500,000 out-patient visits each year. As a regionally designated site, Southlake is responsible for developing and providing advanced levels of care to the more than 1 million people who reside in York Region, Simcoe County, and in some cases, as far north as Muskoka. This is a region that has seen significant growth over the last 10 years and has the highest number of seniors in the province.  Advanced, specialty services include: arthritis care, cancer care, cardiac care, cataract surgery, child and adolescent eating disorders, mental health services for children, pediatrics and perinatal care and thoracic surgery.

Southlake is proud to have a team of more than 3400 employees, 579 physicians, and 800 volunteers. Combined with their commitment to provide the best possible care to patients, their goal is to make Southlake synonymous with healthcare excellence.

With a brand new five-year strategic plan published this year, Southlake is embarking on the next chapter of growth and commitment to outstanding patient care.  With a bold vision and four overarching strategic goals, Southlake is positioning itself to be a leader in the ever-changing Ontario Hospital landscape of tomorrow.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The overall success of the Emergency Department (ED) in the eyes of its customers demands the successful performance of a team of skilled professionals from various disciplines interacting with support staff and the public. The ED care team impacts both the culture and overall perceived performance of the department and as such, it is essential that their leader provide clear direction regarding the performance expectations of the organization. A systematic approach to defining those expectations, providing timely feedback regarding performance to those expectations, and addressing variation from expectations, can provide a valuable tool in supporting the Chief of ED’s success. As well, collaboration and cooperation with all healthcare workers is expected, as all are part of a successful care team and a successful ED. 

The Chief of Emergency Medicine reports directly to the Chief of Staff, and works closely and collaboratively with the Physician Leader of the Emergency Medicine Program, Administrative Director of Emergency Medicine and other Chiefs and Physician Leaders for physician-related concerns and provides regular reports to the Medical Advisory Committee.

The Chief of Emergency Medicine is responsible for matters related to quality of care, physician credentialing, physician clinical competence, physician behaviour, and patient complaints as outlined in the Professional Staff Bylaws and Rules and Regulations.

Department Chiefs are appointed for a term of 5 years and the appointment is subject to annual review by the Medical Advisory Committee and Board of Directors with the option of an additional term of 5 years.

Visible, active and engaged equally with all staff within the Emergency Department, the incumbent will want to focus on the following key priorities:

• Engage with all staff to promote an inclusive and collaborative Emergency Department that encompasses team and culture building and achieves exceptional patient and provider satisfaction and performance objectives.
• Continue to enhance and refine Southlake’s well-performing model of care focused on quality and continuous improvement.
• Attend to administrative and human resource challenges including physician scheduling, recruitment and performance and development.
• Work in partnership with others, internally and externally, to address ED capacity and flow challenges through closer alignment with community care services and partners within the broader Southlake community.
• Promote personal well-being and job satisfaction by supporting a safe and healthy work environment.

Southlake has an excellent reputation for providing the full spectrum of medical services to the community and surrounding region. For the individual who is inspired by Southlake’s journey to date and future plans, including a new master plan and the organization’s proposed leadership of an Ontario Health Team, this is an opportunity to work with a talented and dedicated group of physicians and staff in delivering upon the mission to provide exceptional emergency services and outstanding patient care experience to those in need.

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS

Success in this role will require a combination of leadership, relationship/team building, and championship of change and results achievement inclusive of the following:

• Active Staff member of the Southlake Professional Staff or be eligible for membership to the Southlake Professional Staff as an Associate Staff member
• Be a member in good standing of the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CCFP) with additional Fellowship training in Emergency Medicine (CCFP-EM) or Royal College certified in Emergency Medicine
• In good standing with the Medical Staff Association
• Excellent clinical and leadership skills with focus on interprofessional collaboration
• Demonstrated exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, teambuilding, objectivity, and conflict resolution skills leadership, teambuilding and conflict management skills
• Experience in medical administrative management functions
• Commitment to and support for the hospital’s strategic plan
• Knowledge of hospital clinical operations, quality improvement and performance measures
• Commitment to continuing education in both health care administration and clinical care
• Education in medical administration such as Physician Management Institute would be an asset
• Evidence that the required time commitment will be accommodated with physician’s clinical duties

CONTACT INFORMATION

For a detailed outline of roles and responsibilities, and to submit your cover letter and current curriculum vitae for consideration, please contact:  Ed Perkovic, Director of Research ([email protected]), Collin MacLeod, Partner , ([email protected]) or Chris Sawyer, Partner ([email protected]