Regional Medical Officer of Health (Eastern Zone)

About Us

The Department of Health and Wellness (DHW) offers opportunities to grow and advance in a dynamic sector that touches the lives of all Nova Scotians. Our partners, including the Nova Scotia Health (NSH) Authority and the IWK Health Centre, are committed to continually improving our health system. With a focus on continual improvements within the Health System, the department thinks differently about planning, funding, legislating and monitoring to improve access and service delivery. To do this, we need leaders at all levels of the organization who embrace a challenge and believe in their ability to make a difference. 
 

About Our Opportunity

As a Regional Medical Officer of Health (RMOH), you will support the DHW Public Health branch by providing leadership in assessing and measuring the health of populations and developing strategies for improving health and well-being through health promotion, disease prevention and health protection initiatives. You will also be responsible for informing, investigating and taking action on any health hazard, notifiable disease or public health emergency that poses a health risk to the population. 

You will play a key role in supporting the Nova Scotia Health Authority and IWK by acting as a leader with broad subject matter expertise in public health practice working to promote and protect public health and prevent the spread of disease and injury throughout Nova Scotia.  
 

Primary Accountabilities

In this role, you directly impact the high-quality public health in Nova Scotia and the improved health of our population. We count on your expertise to: 
 

• Provide leadership and strategic direction in collaboration with NSH Public Health leaders and content expertise to health promotion and disease and injury prevention functions of the NSH and IWK. 
• Provide public health physician expertise to the Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change on issues involving the interface between human health and the environment. 
• Provide a public health perspective to DHW or NSH/IWK discussions and decisions regarding health services and patients. 
• Provide public health physician expertise to the Senior Director of Public Health, NSH and their senior leadership team. 
• Provide the public with an independent assessment and voice on issues impacting the public's health. 
• Contribute to research and knowledge translation on issues that are of public health relevance to Nova Scotia and participate in the teaching and training of current and future public health and other health care practitioners. 

Qualifications and Experience

As our next Regional Medical Officer of Health, you must be eligible for a medical license from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia and have a Public Health and Preventive Medicine fellowship from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (or equivalent training). A minimum of 2 years of public health experience is required. 

You demonstrate an understanding of disease control, risk assessment and management, the framework of legislation, public health science, inter-sectoral relationships, government policy and general executive direction. You are an innovative thinker who can negotiate and communicate complex ideas and information concisely and meaningfully. You identify opportunities to encourage greater integration of programs and activities and work collaboratively with various stakeholders and partners across health systems. Your decisiveness and superior organizational and time management skills are essential to your success. 

The Government of Nova Scotia has adopted the LEADS Leadership Framework.  During the interview, candidates will be expected to express how they have demonstrated the key behaviours and capabilities required to effectively lead in a caring and inclusive environment. LEADS Domains includes Leads Self, Engage Others, Achieve Results, Develop Coalitions and Systems Transformation.

Please follow LEADS (novascotia.ca) for more information.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Benefits

Based on the employment status, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs.  For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

Working Conditions

• The typical work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day (will require availability 24/7 during times of emergency) 
• May be required to work overtime on occasion and compulsory participation in an on-call system 
• Works within an office environment in Nova Scotia with some travel at the local, provincial, and national level 
• Requires intense ability to concentrate and decipher complex information into decisions and easily understood concepts for senior management and the public at large 
• Is a key spokesperson for the health of the population and requires interfacing with the media, community groups, senior levels of government, and national/international forums 
• Decisions may often require a risk assessment requiring keen listening and analytic skills. 
• Dealing with highly complex and often scientific/technical issues which will require decisions on an urgent or timely basis 
• With the need to balance the competing demands of individuals with those of the well-being of the whole community, the decisions made may be controversial (or unpopular) 
• There is a requirement to travel to represent the province at FPT meetings and to contribute to scientific meetings. 

Additional Information

Nova Scotia, a picturesque province on Canada’s east coast, offers a unique blend of natural beauty, vibrant culture, and a high quality of life. For more information on Nova Scotia please visit: Plan Your Trip to Nova Scotia | Tourism Nova Scotia or – Immigrate Here (novascotiaimmigration.com)

For information and resources for health professionals interested in working and living in Nova Scotia, please visit: www. https://morethanmedicine.ca/

What We Offer

• Career development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career
• Engaging workplace: our employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in, we have forward-thinking policies and strategies
• Countless career paths
• Department specific flexible working schedules