Family Physician/Clinical Associate

The University Hospital of Northern British Columbia (UHNBC) Department of Pediatrics is seeking physicians to join our Pediatric Clinical Associate (CA) program. This is a part-time position.

Clinical Associates on the UHNBC Pediatric Clinical Teaching Unit (CTU) work as part of a team including a pediatrician (who is MRP), a clinical pharmacist, Clinical Practice Lead Nurses and a variety of learners including third year medical students, family practice residents, psychiatry residents and pediatric residents. The Pediatric CTU is responsible for the inpatient care of children admitted to UHNBC Pediatrics and the UHNBC Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. In addition, the CTU offers urgent consultation and follow up appointments for outpatients.

The Pediatric CA plays a critical role on the team, assisting the learners in managing the day-to-day operations on the ward. A strong interest in medical education is essential to success in the role. Responsibilities include assisting the learners with organizing patient transfers, documenting progress notes, facilitating complex discharges and dictating discharge summaries. The Clinical Associate will be asked to complete WBAs (workplace-based assessments) for the students and residents. The Clinical Associate will be consulted regularly by the UNBC program site lead to identify struggling learners and provide feedback on learners’ performances. The Clinical Associate will take the lead in managing complex or critically ill patients and in organizing consultation with pediatric subspecialists at BC Children’s Hospital, including arranging transport, all with the support of the pediatrician on service. A pediatrician supervises the team and all aspects of patient care. There are eight pediatricians in the UHNBC Department of Pediatrics.

Prince George is the regional referral centre for northern British Columbia, and is affiliated with the University of British Columbia (UBC) Northern Medical Program; members of the Department of Pediatrics are UBC clinical faculty. UHNBC serves a geographical area of approximately 600,000 km and a population of approximately 400,000. It is the only hospital in northern BC with dedicated pediatric inpatient beds and a NICU. UHNBC has a Level II B NICU with twelve rooms offering single room neonatal care. The UHNBC Pediatric ward has twelve rooms with sleeping space for parents. The pediatricians rotate as the Attending Pediatrician for the CTU for one week at a time.

Applicants should have a strong interest in pediatric acute-care, inpatient medicine. Hospitalist experience would be an asset but not required. We accept candidates with provisional licensures and would encourage candidates to have their PALS certification. We will help to support and facilitate the successful applicant if not certified in PALS. Procedural skills are an asset.

The Pediatric Clinical Associate position is for 24.5 hours per week; there is flexibility for the CA to arrange their schedule as they like. Some may prefer to work approximately five hours per day, Monday to Friday, while some may prefer to work three full days (of eight hours each) per week. There is no requirement for evening, overnight or weekend work. This position is open to applicants who can schedule one week per month or more, in order to fill the Pediatric Clinical Associate schedule for the 52 weeks of the year. Payment is by Sessional Contract with a current rate of $563.31 per session (or $160.95 per hour).