Health Link Pediatric Emergency Medicine – Pediatric Virtual MD

Discover a new, flexible way to practice medicine! The Health Link Virtual MD team is seeking pediatric emergency physicians to join the new Pediatric Virtual MD program and provide compassionate, expert virtual assessments and care for pediatric patients across Alberta.
Health Link is a free health service and information line for Albertans with non-emergency health inquiries. Some callers are triaged to a remote appointment with a Virtual MD physician within 4 to 24 hours. Virtual MD reduces unnecessary in-person visits by offering telephone or video consultations as an alternative. Our goals are to optimize emergency department capacity, improve access to care, and strengthen health system integration by supporting Albertans in their homes and communities. 
 
Training will be provided, but you should already be comfortable conducting phone and video assessments and documenting patient encounters in Connect Care. You will use observation, listening, problem-solving, and consultation skills to virtually assess pediatric patients and advise on the most appropriate level of care—whether that means visiting an emergency department, an urgent care centre, their primary care provider, or managing their condition at home. In many cases, this includes referrals to after-hours clinics and services, including Primary Care Networks. As this is a virtual position, you can work from anywhere in Alberta. Read on for the full job description and application details.
 

Job Description:

As a Health Link Pediatric Virtual MD, you will provide clinical services through comprehensive virtual assessments. This includes obtaining a focused or comprehensive medical history and, when appropriate, performing a video-based physical exam. The exam may include general appearance, work of breathing, skin color and joint range of motion, hydration status, mental status, ability to bear weight, activity level, extraocular movements, facial symmetry, and tremors, among other aspects. In this role, you will assess and triage a patient’s health care needs—virtually managing care when appropriate, directing patients to urgent care centres or emergency departments if clinically indicated, or guiding them to primary care, including pharmacies, as needed. 
 
You will review relevant lab results and medical records via Netcare and, where available, AHS systems such as Connect Care, ensuring documentation of all clinical care and advice provided. You may prescribe outpatient therapies as appropriate.
  
You will also have the opportunity to support clinical education for physicians within Virtual MD and Pediatric Virtual MD.
 
Regular Virtual MD hours are 06:00 to 02:00 daily. Pediatric Virtual MD hours are 17:00 to 22:00 daily, with 3-hour shifts. During these shifts, you be prioritized pediatric referrals from Virtual MD, which may include select infants under 3 months of age. Physicians hired under this program can expect to work a minimum of four (4) shifts per month.