Chief of Staff and Vice President Medical Affairs

POSITION:                   Chief of Staff and Vice President Medical Affairs (0.8 FTE)

DEPARTMENT:            Administration

POSTING DATE:          July 2021

Brant Community Healthcare System

The Brant Community Healthcare System consists of the Brantford General Hospital as a regional acute health centre and the Willett site in Paris which provides urgent care, a 32 bed inpatient unit and community outreach programs. With a total of 300 beds, the BCHS has attracted more than 175 physicians, 1800 highly trained employees, and over 300 volunteers. We are an affiliated teaching site of the McMaster University Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine.

Through creative and innovative use of resources and partnerships, we focus on primary and secondary acute care, rehab, complex continuing care, palliative care, health promotion and mental health services. We are the regional centre for paediatrics, mental health, obstetrics, gynecology, CT scanning, critical care, surgical services, ambulatory care and emergency medicine. We are also the site of the Brant Community Cancer Clinic and the S.C. Johnson Dialysis Clinic for patients throughout Brant County and Haldimand Norfolk.

The Community

Serving a population of over 140,000, the city of Brantford is located in beautiful Southwestern Ontario. It is surrounded by Brant County which includes Paris which was voted “Canada’s Prettiest Little Town” and is in close proximity to one the largest Indigenous Reserves in the country. Brantford is a progressive community full of rich history shaped by its location on the Grand River and proximity to major consumer and industrial markets throughout North America. Having kept a strong commitment to community involvement, historical preservation and remembering where it came from, the town does not feel quite like the traffic laden GTA suburbs, but offers a strong variety of amenities.

Brantford has been ranked as one of the top cities to buy a home in. This is thanks to its affordable yet steadily rising housing prices and its thriving economy. Come be a part of this flourishing community!

The Opportunity

The Chief of Staff and Vice President of Medical Affairs is accountable to the Board of Directors on issues regarding the quality and safety of medical diagnosis, care and treatment and as member of the senior leadership team accountable to the Chief Executive Officer for providing administrative medical leadership to support the implementation of BCHS’s Mission, Vision and Values.

The role requires that the incumbent work in a collaborative manner aiming to create a clinical practice environment that is up-to-date, ethical, safe and resource efficient, and is conducted in partnership with patients and their families, other health care professionals, and the community. Eligibility for Active Staff privileges at the BCHS is a requirement of the role.

A key deliverable of the role is to create a progressive 10 year vision for medical care and clinical services at the BCHS.

The Ideal Candidate

  • Physician qualified to practice in the Province of Ontario with the ability to gain active privileges to practice medicine at BCHS.
  • Master’s degree in Administration or a health related discipline is preferred.
  • Fellowship from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (or equivalent) or membership within the college of Family Physicians of Canada is required.
  • Minimum of five (5) years working in a medical leadership role within a large community or academic centre is required.
  • Experience leading and implementing initiatives in a program management context is preferred.
  • Strong experience in the development, implementation and evaluation of best practice quality and safety initiatives is required.
  • Appropriate training and relevant experience promoting cultural safety for Indigenous populations.

Key Accountabilities and Deliverables

  • Ensure BCHS’s continued commitment and focus on the quality and safety of exceptional medical care, in compliance with the Public Hospitals Act, regulations and by-laws of BCHS
  • Lead and support physician engagement and participation strategy
  • Provide guidance and counsel to the Board, medical staff and hospital staff to assist them in responding to the challenges facing the health care system;
  • Provide direction and support for Medical Leadership and professional staff related to quality, clinical service, planning, teaching, and physician leadership development
  • Oversee the Medical Human Resource plan to ensure that it aligns with BCHS’s strategic and teaching mandates;
  • Participate on various committees and subcommittees of the Board as defined in the Public Hospital’s Act and By-Laws of the Hospital;
  • Advance and promote a practice environment and a clinical cultural that is focused on high-quality, safe, patient-centred care, based upon an evolving body of clinical knowledge, best practices and research evidence;
  • Develop, inspire and lead an approach to care that is reflective of the diversity of the population served and ensures patients and their families are engaged in care in a way that is respectful, non-judgmental, and culturally safe;
  • Engage the community and BCHS’s physician leadership to promote and advance the role of BCHS as it works with its partners to advance the work of the Ontario Health Team;
  • Provide leadership in the effective utilization and management of healthcare resources working with medical leaders and others on matters of clinical appropriateness, efficiency and efficacy;
  • Provide leadership in the implementation of the organization’s management system and cultural improvement practices (REACH);
  • Participate in the accreditation processes and work to ensure that BCHS achieves, maintains and continually improves upon its accreditation status;
  • Provide leadership in Medical Education including the management of BCHS’s affiliation agreement with the McMaster University

Required Skills & Characteristics:

  • Compassionate and empathetic leadership;
  • Actively demonstrates the values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Diversity (CARE)
  • Demonstrated ability to exert influence and achieve impact at all levels.
  • Proven excellent interpersonal skills in negotiation, conflict resolution, and consensus building.
  • Demonstrated effective communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
  • Highly attuned risk management skills and quality orientation; proactively and genuinely invested in the advancement of quality in all areas.
  • Effective critical thinking, analytical, and problem solving skills.
  • Proven ability to develop, monitor, administer and report on budgets.
  • Knowledge of relevant legislation, principles of management, and hospital committee structure.
  • Demonstrated excellent computer skills in Microsoft Office software (e.g. Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook).
  • Demonstrated commitment to the safety of co-workers and patients.

Primary responsibilities also include:

Safety (patient, worker & workplace) is a BCHS Corporate Priority. The successful applicant will demonstrate good stewardship in the identification, reporting and mitigation of unsafe acts or conditions.

To submit your application, please forward your cover letter and resume to [email protected]

The Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS) is an equal opportunity employer, committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace. We welcome applications from women, members of racialized groups, visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of all sexual orientation and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

To ensure there is equal opportunity during the recruitment and selection process, BCHS provides accommodation for applicants with disabilities upon request.