Physician, Primary Care

# Summary 

# About the organization 

This is a joint posting between South Riverdale Community Health Centre (SRCHC) and Casey House. The position is funded through the Ministry of Health's Primary Care Action Team Expansion. The successful candidate(s) will be an employee of SRCHC, while all clinical work and day-to-day practice will take place within Casey House's clinical programming. The role is governed by SRCHC's terms and conditions of employment and operates within Casey House's care environment under their Medical Advisory Committee, working in alignment with their philosophy of care. 

About South Riverdale Community Health Centre 

South Riverdale Community Health Centre is a non-profit, multi-service organization that provides primary healthcare, social and community outreach services with an emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention primarily to people of East Toronto. Our mission is to improve the lives of people that face barriers to physical, mental, spiritual and social well-being. We do so by meaningfully engaging our clients and communities, ensuring equitable access to primary health care and delivering quality care through a range of evidence informed programs, services and approaches. As a leader in community health, our locally and internationally recognized community services include cutting-edge primary health services, health promotion, harm reduction, community food centre and population-based community programs for equity deserving peoples. 

About Casey House 

Casey House is unlike any other hospital. We are a specialty hospital providing ground-breaking holistic care for people living with and at risk of HIV, including: 2SLGBTQIA+, Indigenous, Black, and other racialized communities. We offer a growing mix of inpatient, outpatient, and community-based services that meet clients where they are in their individual journeys to health and wellness. Our safe, welcoming, and judgment-free environment promotes a sense of belonging and community, where the humanity of each client is at the heart of everything we do. Every Casey House staff member, peer, and volunteer acts and delivers care to clients in accordance with our purpose, values, and philosophy of care.

# About the position 

 This new position, Physician, Primary Care, will be part of a new primary care service at Casey House. The role will help, alongside Casey House’s design team, implement this inaugural service that will provide high-quality, client-centred, comprehensive primary health care to people living with and at risk of HIV, with particular attention to 2SLGBTQIA+, Indigenous, Black, and other racialized communities, newcomers, and people with complex medical, mental health, and substance use needs. Working onsite within Casey House and employed by SRCHC, the Physician functions both independently and as a member of an interprofessional primary care team, emphasizing health promotion, health education, disease prevention, and chronic disease management. The Physician will work as part of Casey House's broader integrated professional team to facilitate integrated, comprehensive primary care delivery.

The Physician contributes to clients' health and well-being through assessment, prevention, education, rehabilitation, and/or therapeutic support services. The role consults and collaborates to ensure coordinated, equitable, and stigma-free care. This position has a direct impact on access to and attachment for an under-served, high-need population, advancing health equity and harm reduction across the partnership.

Key Responsibilities 

Direct Client Care

• Ensure standards of client care are maintained according to recognized clinical guidelines, the Regulated Health Professions Act, and the policies of SRCHC and Casey House.
• Provide culturally responsive, client-centred care for people living with and at risk of HIV, 2SLGBTQIA+ and newcomer communities, Indigenous, Black, and other racialized clients, and people with complex medical, mental health, and substance use needs.
• Apply anti-oppression, harm reduction, and equity principles in all clinical care, advocating for client rights and health equity.
• Work from a strength-based, trauma-informed orientation with people who use drugs, people with complex trauma, and people with mental health considerations.
• Provide clinical leadership in the care of clients with complex medical, psychosocial, mental health, and substance use needs, including coordination with internal teams and external providers.
• Apply overdose response and crisis de-escalation skills to keep clients safe and engaged in care.
• Refer to therapeutic counselling or short-term crisis management when required and provide preventative and supportive guidance and system navigation.
• Perform virtual consultation when necessary, which may include assessment and advice, and perform back-up clinical functions for other clinical staff in their absence.
• Incorporate health care advances into practice, basing practice on the changing demographics and evolving needs of the community.

Care Coordination and Collaboration

• Collaborate across Casey House programs and departments to support integrated care planning, continuity, and seamless transitions for clients with complex health and social needs.
• Make internal referrals to other staff and community partners, refer and assist clients with transitions to specialists, hospitals, or community resources as appropriate.
• Participate in case conferences and interprofessional case reviews with team members, partner organizations, and other providers to coordinate services, support holistic care planning, identify health promotion priorities, and improve outcomes.
• Maintain complete and accurate clinical records within the Electronic Health Record (EHR/EMR), sufficient for timely communication with other professionals, and ensure timely completion of statistical and electronic health information as required.
• Comply with all privacy, confidentiality, and health information regulations and with the privacy and security policies of both organizations.

Health Promotion & Education

• Integrate health promotion principles into each interaction with individuals, families, or groups, using a determinants-of-health approach that recognizes the social and structural inequities shaping access to care.
• Support and/or supervise learner placements within Casey House as required.
• Participate in the development of clinical policies and procedures, quality improvement, and organizational initiatives that strengthen equitable and integrated care delivery.

Other Requirements

• Maintain current and appropriate college membership as regulated under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991.
• Maintain malpractice insurance with the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA).
• Maintain continuing medical education (CME) credentials as expected by CPSO and all other memberships required to practice.
• Participate as part of the inpatient on-call roster of physicians.

Independence of Action

The Physician functions independently within the full physician scope of practice, exercising autonomous clinical judgment in assessment, diagnosis, prescribing, and care planning. Practice is governed by College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario standards, the Regulated Health Professions Act, applicable policies, and the privileging requirements of the Casey House Medical Advisory Committee, as well as the policies of SRCHC and Casey House.

Work Environment and Requirements

Work is performed onsite at Casey House in a clinical care environment but may from time to time include off-site work (for example, home visit). Work pace at times is difficult to control; work involves unpredictable daily interruptions. Work occurs during the hours of operation of the clinic. Occasional evenings and weekends will be required. Work involves direct client contact, periods of standing and sitting, and the physical demands typical of a clinical setting. Standard clinical and office equipment is used, including an Electronic Health Record system. Casey House and SRCHC encourage a scent-free environment; staff are asked to refrain from wearing fragrances and scented personal care products onsite.

# Qualifications

 Education and Experience

• Doctor of Medicine degree from a recognized university.
• Current registration and in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO).
• Membership and certification from the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC).
• Member of the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) & Member of the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA).
• Experience in primary health care and proficiency in conducting the duties of a primary health care physician.
• Demonstrated clinical expertise managing complex medical conditions, including mental health and substance use disorders, and experience providing care to diverse populations, including 2SLGBTQIA+ and HIV-positive communities.
• Overdose response and crisis de-escalation considered an asset.
• Experience teaching and academic appointment with the Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, considered an asset.

Technical Skills

• Thorough, current medical knowledge and proficiency in conducting a comprehensive health history, physical assessment, and construction of a care plan.
• Proficiency in the use of Electronic Medical Record computer technology and various software applications. Familiarity with EPIC is considered an asset.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and excellent organizational and administrative skills.

Additional Skills and Competencies

• Clinical practice from a trauma-informed, anti-oppression framework that actively works from a social justice perspective to identify, intervene with, and address social inequities, with particular emphasis on the social determinants of health.
• Demonstrated commitment to and knowledge of community-based health care, and strong interest in issues affecting people who are homeless, living with mental illness and/or substance use, and complex health needs.
• Ability to deal effectively with people experiencing crisis, mental health challenges, and/or diverse cultural interpretations of health.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively, collaboratively, and respectfully in a multi-disciplinary environment.
• Respect for diversity, equity, anti-racism, and accessibility, with the ability to work positively with others.
• Police clearance documentation will be required for employment.
• Proof of double COVID-19 vaccination status will be required for employment.