Associate Physician - Mental Health & Addictions

 Req ID: 224081
Location: Central Zone, Halifax Infirmary Robie Street Entrance - QEII 
Department: MED Clinical Assistants
Type of Employment: Temporary Hourly FT long-assignment (100%) x 1 
Management/Non Union Position
Posting Closing Date: 24-Jul-26

About the Opportunity

The Mental Health & Addictions Associate Physician is a licensed physician employed by Nova Scotia Health to provide primary clinical care under the supervision of a fully licensed physician within the Department of Psychiatry of the Central Zone. Participation in the call schedule is required, and work will be in the Emergency Department, Inpatient Mental Health Units, or other areas of service as clinical need and supervisory requirements dictate.  Associate Physicians report directly to Department Head via the Section/Division Head of the Department of Psychiatry and indirectly to the Medical Executive Director through the CZ Director, Physician Extenders Medical Affairs.
 
Clinical Responsibilities

Under the supervision direct and indirect of an attending staff physician, the Associate Physician:

• Functions as a member of the team on the Psychiatry service at the level of a PGYI or PGY2. Makes regular rounds with supervising staff.
• Liaises with nurses, attending staff, attending staff, Crisis Workers and other members of the health care team in the development and management of the overall patient care plan.
• Communicates with patients, families, referring, and family physicians concerning patient management plans.
• Performs and documents admission history and mental status examinations, progress notes, discharge summaries, consultation notes, reports for the IPTA Review Board hearing, etc.
• Manages the day-to-day care of patients, including writing medical orders on charts and responding to emergencies, in consultation with attending staff.
• Performs assessments and examinations within the scope of their demonstrated competence and privileges and according to established policies and protocols. These may include: MMSE, MOCA, HAM-D, suicide risk assessments, evaluating competence & capacity.
• Arranges consultation with other departments for care and investigation.
• Follows through on investigations and arranges follow-up outpatient visits.
• Assesses patients on medical/surgical units in consultation or follow up as required.
• Attends educational sessions and rounds as time permits as well as monthly departmental meetings.
• Must participate in Continuing Professional Development of at least 50 hours per year.
• Works with clinical clerks and PGY2’s in Family Medicine or Psychiatry Residents who may be on the Psychiatry Services.
• Participates in on-call responsibilities of the service.

These responsibilities are meant to be indicative of the job responsibilities and duties and are not all-inclusive. 

About You

We would love to hear from you if you have the following:

• Must meet the requirements to obtain a Clinical Assistant License from The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia (http://cpsns.ns.ca/definedlicense.aspx)
• Must have obtained (in writing) Review of Qualifications from The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia prior to application deadline. Please upload this with your application
• CMPA coverage required
• BLS certification required
• ACLS certification required
• Good command of written and spoken English
• Must be able to promote and maintain good interpersonal skills
• Completion of the equivalence of a post medical school internship
• Postgraduate medical training is considered an asset.
• Experience in the care of inpatients in a hospital and/or rehabilitation setting is considered an asset
• Physical demand - Must be able to sit, stand, walk and perform duties as outlined above
• Mental and Visual demand – High; must be able to deal with stressful situations
• Competencies in other languages an asset, French preferred

Please ensure your resume is up to date and includes all relevant education, experience, training, and certifications.

Hours

• Long assignment full-time position; 96 hours biweekly
• Approximately 12 months
• Typical hours of work are 0800 - 1800 but may vary according to patient care needs
• Night and weekend calls are expected

Compensation and Benefits

$53.98 - $68.75 Hourly 

Successful candidates may be eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, which includes health, dental, and travel insurance; long-term disability and life insurance coverage; and a defined benefit pension plan. Additional wellness, development and employee support programs may also be available.

What you'll love about Nova Scotia Health

Nova Scotia Health is more than the province's largest provider of health services; we're a team driven by excellence in health, healing and learning. Across hospitals, health centres and community programs, our people deliver innovative, high-quality care that impacts lives across Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada.

From vibrant city life to scenic coastal communities, Nova Scotia offers a lifestyle as rewarding as the work itself. At Nova Scotia Health, you'll find meaningful career opportunities, supportive teams and the work-life balance to enjoy everything our beautiful province has to offer. Join us and discover why so many people are choosing to call Nova Scotia home. 

Once You've Applied

Thank you for your interest in this position. Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.  

Nova Scotia Health is committed to being a workforce that is free of discrimination, values diversity, and is representative, at all job levels, of the people we serve. We encourage all qualified applicants who self-identify as Indigenous, Black/African Nova Scotian, Persons of Colour, Foreign Nationals/Newcomers, Persons with Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ to apply and self-identify.