Physician Investigator, 0124EDMpcc90597
🔍 Edmonton Zone
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- Medical Leader (non-clinical position)
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- MED0002ID Requisition #
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- Mar 21, 2024 Post Date
Description:
Alberta Health Services (AHS), Edmonton Zone invites applications for the role of Physician Investigator.
This position, governed by the Medical Staff Bylaws and Rules, the Physician Investigator, is a Senior Medical Leadership role in the Edmonton Zone reporting directly to the Associate Zone Medical Director (AZMD) Acute Care Coverage, Physician Contracts and Academic Liaison to the Faculty of Medicine.
The Physician Investigator will respond to complaints and concerns about practitioners by conducting informal reviews and / or formal investigations that are aimed at fact-finding and oriented to eventual resolution of the matter. Reviews and investigations include gathering information and evidence by conducting site visits; interviewing practitioners, complainants (if any), and others who may have relevant information to provide; analyzing the evidence; making findings or conclusions; and preparing a written report that may include recommendations.
The Physician Investigator will research and gather relevant governance documents that are applicable to the matter under review given the unique circumstances of each case. This may include reviewing documentary evidence such as AHS policies, bylaws, medical staff rules, directives, guidelines, code of conduct, and the regulatory body's standards of practice, code of conduct, code of ethics, and any others. Material evidence such as patient health records, audit reports, audio recordings, and video surveillance may also be required.
This position may be required to collaborate with stakeholders such as medical administrative leaders or other AHS personnel such as human resources, protective services, and medical affairs. In circumstances where the Zone Medical Director or designate directs the Physician Investigator to conduct the review or investigation in partnership or collaboration with one or more other individuals, the Senior Medical Advisor is expected to work collaboratively and professionally with all partners to meet deliverables and accountabilities as part of the review or investigation process.
When the Physician Investigator participates on an investigation panel or review team comprised of two or more individuals, they are designated as the lead investigator / reviewer, with responsibility for overseeing planning and coordination of the review or investigation. Depending on the circumstances of the case, the Physician Investigator or panel may require legal advice and guidance from internal AHS counsel. Drafting the final investigation/review report in collaboration with other members of the investigation panel or review team falls within the responsibility of the Senior Medical Advisor.
When preparing an investigation or review report, the Senior Medical Advisor will be required to meet the expectations and standards set within the zone with respect to report writing, and consider feedback provided by Medical Affairs and AHS legal counsel. Formal processes to respond to Concerns requires the Senior Medical Advisor to comply with requirements set in Part 6 of the Medical Staff Bylaws with respect to Triggered Initial Assessments, Triggered Initial Reviews, Consensual Resolution, and Hearings.
The Senior Medical Advisor will be accountable for remaining attentive to timelines, administrative fairness procedures, AHS policies, departmental expectations, section and site procedures, and any other expectations set by the Zone Medical Director or designate that may be applicable in the circumstances. This may include participating in resolution activities such as debriefing with practitioners, complainants, clinical team members, medical administrative leaders, and participating in discussions around the development of conciliation, resolution or remediation plans. The Senior Medical Advisor will contribute to the review of Part 6 of the Medical Staff Bylaws by providing input and making recommendations for revisions.
At the request of the Zone Medical Director, the Senior Medical Advisor may be involved in contributing to quality improvement initiatives by working in collaboration with medical administrative leaders and AHS operations personnel to address systemic issues arising from investigations and reviews.
The position has an expected start date of approximately April 1st, 2024 and an expected term of 3 years. FTE is negotiable.
Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will have demonstrated abilities in communication, conflict resolution, and negotiation. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated abilities in communication, conflict resolution and a passion for quality and patient safety working as a part of a leadership team. They will be an inclusive and visionary leader with significant experience in medical leadership and is considered a strong clinician by peers.
Candidates must be registered or eligible for registration with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada or equivalent, eligible to work in Canada, and be eligible for or have current licensure with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta and appointment to the AHS Medical Staff. Candidates should have evidence of formal administrative education and training.
The successful candidate should have a demonstrated pattern of professional and personal development.
Unique Characteristics:
- Sound understanding of the principles of natural justice and procedural fairness processes and procedures;
- Basic understanding of legal concepts including bias, impartiality, credibility, relevance, reliability, weighing evidence, balance of probabilities, fact-finding, and decision-making;
- Understanding of concepts related to effective evidence-based decision-making, systems thinking, risk identification, and risk mitigation;
- Familiarity with AHS governance documents applicable to members of the Medical Staff, including but not limited to the code of conduct, bylaws, rules, corporate policies, procedures, etc.;
- Knowledge of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta Code of Conduct, Code of Ethics, and Standards of Practice;
- Basic understanding of the AHS and zone medical leadership structure;
- Ability to assess concerns and complaints to determine a best approach to planning a review or investigation, identifying specific allegations, considering the evidence that may be required to determine the facts and arrive at findings and recommendations;
- Skilled at interviewing witnesses, assessing credibility of witnesses, and tactics and approaches to questioning witnesses;
- Solid ability to engage in critical thinking, analyzing evidence, and preparing a written analysis that is sound, clear and succinct;
- Advanced writing skills and ability to prepare high quality written reports that clearly set out the methodology used, evidence gathered, analysis of the evidence, findings, reasons, and recommendations;
- Basic understanding of issues related to power imbalance, conflict, and workplace culture in a health care organization;
- General knowledge and awareness of legislation such as Alberta's Occupational Health and Safety Act, Health Professions Act, Hospitals Act, and Patient Concerns Resolution Process Regulation;
- General awareness of Human Resources practices and principles, including workplace safety, psychological safety, workplace violence and harassment;
- Ability to demonstrate sound judgment to determine when it may be appropriate to seek expertise from Medical Affairs, Legal & Privacy, Ethics and Compliance, Human Resources, Protective Services, medical administrative leaders, or other areas within the organization;
- Proficient with basic Information Technology, including Microsoft Outlook and Word.
To apply, please forward a copy of your curriculum vitae and a letter of interest online through the doctorjobsalberta.com posting as well as a separate copy to
Dr. Neil Gibson
AZMD Acute Care Coverage, Physician Contracts and Academic Liaison to the Faculty of Medicine
at Neil.Gibson@albertahealthservices.ca
We thank all applicants for their interest; only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
Deadline for submission of applications is 30 days; however, the competition will remain open until the position is filled.