Chronic Pain Management Physician - Job Opportunities (Full-Time, Part-Time, Locums)

Company Description

The Dalhousie University Department of Anesthesia, Pain Management and Perioperative Medicine is seeking a chronic pain management physician to join our team in the greater Halifax area, Nova Scotia to work within the Central Zone of Nova Scotia Health.

The Department is a clinical and academic Department affiliated with Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Medicine and two health authorities: Nova Scotia Health (NSH) and IWK Health in Nova Scotia.

Working within the province’s quaternary and tertiary care centres, the Department provides a full spectrum of specialty anesthesia care to patients in Atlantic Canada, as well as has national and international outreach initiatives, and innovation in airway management. It administers leading edge programs in perioperative medicine, perioperative blood management, and pain management.

The Nova Scotia Health Pain Management Unit is an outpatient clinic that with the referral of a healthcare provider provides assessments, treatments and education to persons living with chronic pain.

Job Description

This position will be primarily focused on chronic pain management, and if the successful candidate is an anesthesiologist, they will also deliver anesthesia care in the ORs and the clinics and while on-call. They will be granted a faculty appointment (minimally at the rank of Assistant Professor) at Dalhousie University upon hire and will support the academic mandate of the Department through administrative, education and research activities within the field of anesthesia, pain management and perioperative medicine.

Location: 

The position will work primarily with NSH Pain Management Services located at the Dickson Building, QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax, with satellite sites at the Hants Community Hospital, Windsor and the Pain & Addiction Albro Lake Clinic in Dartmouth.

There may be opportunities to provide clinical care in other sites in the Central Zone, Nova Scotia Health under the direction of the Head. The positions may be required to work up to a maximum of three weeks per year in other locations in Nova Scotia.

Language of Work:  English

Responsibilities:

• Effectively and safely deliver the full scope of sub-speciality chronic pain management care to patients, including chronic opioid management, non-opioid pharmacologic treatment as well as interventional procedures with ultrasound and fluoroscopy.
• Participate in collaborative chronic pain assessment and management with allied health professionals.
• Participate in patient safety and quality improvement activities and rounds.
• Participate in clinical teaching and instructing as required in undergraduate, postgraduate and fellowship programs.
• Contribute to the research activities of the Department, the details of which will be negotiated with the Department Head or designate on an annual basis and will depend on the needs of the Department.
• Participate actively in departmental administration through involvement in departmental meetings and committees.
• Provide effective communications to patients and their families, engaging them in their care planning and decisions.
• Foster positive, respectful and collaborative relationships with students, residents and clinical and administrative colleagues.

Expected hours:

• Full-time, part-time and locums (negotiable)
• Participation in on-call schedules, as required
• Start date:  Spring and Summer 2025 (negotiable)

Qualifications

• Doctorate in Medicine (or suitable equivalent such as Doctor of Osteopathy).
• Eligible for licensure with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia.
• Have certification with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons Canada (or equivalent) in their base specialty, with additional sub-specialty training in pain medicine (e.g., FRCPC Pain Medicine, US Board Certification in Pain Medicine or equivalent).
• Coverage with Canadian Medical Protective Association.
• Strong interpersonal and communications skills with a focus on patient safety and quality.
• Strong assets include experience in a complex health sciences centre; experience and interest in pain research; and ASRA or equivalent pain ultrasound certification.
• Preference may be given to those whose base speciality background is Physiatry, Neurology or Psychiatry or those with an interest in pain research.

Additional Information

Compensation:

Compensation will depend on FTE, hours worked and call coverage. If the candidate is an anesthesiologist or a specialist, the position will be compensated through the Anesthesia Clinical/Academic Funding Plan (CAFP), a multi-stakeholder agreement that provides block funding to compensate physicians and cover departmental operational costs.  The Department’s Practice Plan outlines the ways in which the revenues are distributed by the members.  The position is an independent contractor and is not an employee, servant or agent of the health authorities or Dalhousie University.

Incentives:

Nova Scotia Health and the Department of Health and Wellness offer various incentives that the applicants may wish to pursue. Information can be found at: https://recruitment.nshealth.ca/incentives 

How to Apply: 

We are committed to fostering a collegial culture grounded in diversity and inclusiveness. We encourage applications from Indigenous persons, persons with a disability, racially visible persons, women, persons of a minority sexual orientation and/or gender identity, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. Candidates are encouraged to self-identify in their cover letter if they identify with one of the above-mentioned groups.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians, permanent residents and those legally able to work in Canada will be given priority.

Interested applicants are asked to submit the following by March 31, 2025 to: Anesthesia.Admin@nshealth.ca

• A cover letter addressed to Dr. Janice Chisholm, Department Head that includes:
  • how your qualifications and experience meet the specific job requirements;
  • your self-identification as listed above (optional);
  • whether you can legally work in Canada and when you are available to start work;
• an updated CV; and
• the names of potential three referees.

Competition will remain open until filled.