Medical Health Officer

Medical Health Officer
Temporary Full‐time (up to 18 months)
Posting Date: November 4, 2020

Position profile –The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA), Saskatoon Area invites qualified physicians to apply for the position of
Medical Health Officer (MHO). The successful applicant will join the clinical Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine
and a team of physicians providing MHO services on behalf of the SHA.

They will work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team
providing public health services primarily in Saskatoon and surrounding Area.

Medical Health Officers are designated by the Minister of Health and have legislated authorities and duties under The Public Health
Act of Saskatchewan. SHA MHOs work on behalf of the populations of specified Health Networks and fulfill their responsibilities
primarily at the Area level, with opportunities to contribute to provincial‐level public health programs in a specialty area of interest.

The clinical Department and academic Division of Public Health of Preventive Medicine combines service, research and teaching
components, and delivers an accredited Public Health and Preventive Medicine residency training program while also providing
education at the undergraduate, graduate, and post‐doctoral levels. The successful applicant is dedicated to learning and is a partner
in the growing educational needs of Saskatchewan’s public health workforce and has the potential to be appointed as Medical
Faculty at the University of Saskatchewan, College of Medicine.

Contract Type: Employment Contract

Remuneration: $269,908 ‐ $313,095 (October 1, 2020 rates) per annum for Full Time position

Benefits: In accordance with the SHA out of scope terms and conditions of employment

Language of Work – English Location of practice – Saskatoon, Sask.
Specific Accountabilities

All MHOs work in a defined physician partnership relationship with administrative leadership (TBD) to ensure medical leadership,
direction, and the establishment and management of policies, frameworks and service delivery models for planning, implementing,
monitoring, evaluation and quality improvement for public health programs and services. Through shared accountabilities for coleadership,
they build and maintain a highly skilled, engaged public health professional staff.

As a MHO designated by the Minister of Health, the successful candidate will:
‐ Provide clinical services aligned with the privileges of a Public Health and Preventive Medicine specialist applying full scope
of practice in the content areas of population health assessment; health and disease surveillance; communicable disease
control; chronic disease and injury prevention; health protection; public health emergency management; health promotion;
and leadership and management

‐ Provide direction within the SHA Area, consistent with the Public Health Act, 1994, to enforce the Public Health Act and the
Tobacco Control Act and regulations pursuant to those Acts as delegated by the SHA, in consultation with the Area
Department Lead, Senior MHO and provincial Chief MHO as needed.

‐ Administer and interpret SHA MHO medical directives for local public health programs, services and staff

‐ Provide consultation, clinical assessments and professional recommendations to clients, staff and administrators of public
health programs and services; physicians in all specialties working across the health care system; government at local,
provincial and federal levels; schools providing primary, secondary and post‐secondary education; industry concerned with
population, public and occupational health and safety; community members, organizations, citizens and leaders

‐ Build and maintain provincial‐ and Area‐level cross‐sector and cross‐organization partnerships and strategy for population
and public health, and actively participate in committees, task groups and working groups, as assigned

‐ Advocate with or on behalf of clients, communities and/or populations for building healthy public policy, creating supportive
environments, and strengthening community action to improve health and determinants of health and health equity

‐ Communicate with media, or in public venues where media may be present, about issues affecting the health of the
population

As a member of the clinical Department and academic Division of Public Health of Preventive Medicine, they will:

‐ Contribute to the delivery of academic programs, including UGME and PGME teaching, and facilitation of research ,
evaluation and quality improvement activities

‐ Actively participate and attend regular meetings as a member of local Medical Advisory Committee and Area Practitioner

Advisory Committees
MHOs work collaboratively to ensure adequate, year‐round (52 weeks per year) coverage during regular hours and after‐hours on
call. Call coverage allows for a balanced lifestyle as it is shared with other Medical Health Officers in the Area and province.

Job Context
The Saskatchewan Health Authority is the largest organization in Saskatchewan, employing over 44,000 employees and physicians
responsible for the delivery of high quality and timely health care for the entire province. We are driven by the commitment to
improve front line patient care for Saskatchewan people, and we are working together to better coordinate health services across
the province to ensure that patients receive high quality, timely health care, wherever they live in Saskatchewan.

The SHA infrastructure and services consist of
‐64 hospitals with 2,500 acute care patient beds
‐Approximately 9,000 long term care beds
‐Provincially coordinated quality, patient‐centred care services, such as

Acute hospital‐based care, Long Term Care, Mental
Health and Addiction Services, Primary Health Care, Public Health and many other community‐based clinical programs
designed to promote and maintain health of the population

The beautiful University of Saskatchewan campus is located on the shores of the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon, a city
with a diverse and thriving economic base and a vibrant cultural life. The UofS is a research‐intensive institution with 22,000
students and 7,000 faculty and staff, and a strong reputation for innovation and excellence. It is home to the newly constructed
Academic Health Sciences Complex.

The SHA supports a shared commitment to a Representative Workforce that is respectful and inclusive of all staff and clients. We
welcome applications from those who will contribute to the diversity of our community.

Qualifications:
Successful candidates for the above position will have specialty training in public health and/or preventive medicine and be eligible
for provisional or regular licensure from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan (CPSS). Preference will be given to
candidates who hold certification or are eligible for certification from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
(RCPSC) in Public Health and Preventive Medicine.
This individual should be a team player, be able to interact effectively with members of the public, clients, colleagues, staff and
management, and function well in a high volume environment with a commitment to provision of high quality patient, family and
community centered care.

Saskatchewan Health Authority supports a shared commitment to a Representative Workforce that is respectful and inclusive of all
staff and clients and welcomes applications from those who will contribute to the diversity of our community. All qualified
candidates are encouraged to apply; in accordance with immigration requirements, preference will be given to Canadian citizens
and permanent residents of Canada.

Education:
 Canadian Certified Physician Executive Credential would be an asset
 Advanced education in Health Care Administration, Public

Administration and/or Leadership Studies would be an asset
 Participation in the Canadian Medical Association’s Physician

Leadership Institute would be an asset
 Additional training and/or education in leadership/management would be an asset

Experience:
 Experience, at an operational level, as a medical leader who has developed and led innovative planning and programs in a
complex, multi‐stakeholder environment
 Has knowledge of and experience in guiding health quality improvement processes and initiatives
 Has experience working in co‐leadership (dyad leadership) roles and relationships
 Valid Class 5 driver’s license

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
 Advanced knowledge of the Health care system in Saskatchewan and across Canada
 Knowledge of legislation and applicable laws
 Has demonstrated ability to coach and develop others
 Has demonstrated strong interpersonal and communication skills
 Has demonstrated strong critical thinking, financial and analytical skills
 Exemplifies ethical practices, professionalism and personal integrity
 Promotes innovation, guides change and is committed to continuous improvement
 Has a proven ability to collaborate and partner with a wide variety of stakeholders, including community, to balance the
needs and interests of these diverse groups while maintaining alignment with strategic priorities
 Demonstrates commitment to a diverse, culturally competent and culturally safe health system and representative
workforce
 Demonstrates and is recognized for strategic and operational leadership that includes articulation of mission, vision and
strategy and charts a path forward
 Mobilizes people, inspires and leads by example
 Is committed to delivering on patient, family and community centred care
 Is committed to quality, safety and continuous improvement striving towards zero harm

Other Information:
Travel within the province of Saskatchewan is required

Additional Information
To Apply ‐Interested candidates should submit their curriculum vitae in confidence to:
Jennifer Grunert, Physician Recruitment Coordinator‐Practitioner Staff Affairs
Email: [email protected]