Overview As a member of the military, Medical Officers provide primary health care services for Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members, whether at a Canadian Forces Health Services Clinic or overseas in support of peace support, combat or humanitarian missions. Responsibilities Lead a clinical team of highly trained professionals; Promote health protection and education; Provide primary health care; Promote occupational health and safety; Provide medical support to operations; Practice environmental medicine, including aviation and hyperbaric medicine (following additional training). Work Environment Medical Officers may serve anywhere that CAF members are based. They work in fully equipped medical clinics, whether at a base or garrison, or in a temporary clinic while supporting operations. During the first four years following training, the role is usually based in a single location within Canada. Office space and support services are provided by the CAF. If you choose a career in the Regular Force, upon completion of all required training, you will be assigned to your first base. While there is some flexibility with regards to postings (relocations), accommodations cant always be made, and therefore you can likely expect to move at some point in your career. For those who join the Primary Reserve Force, you will do so through a specific Reserve unit. Outside of training, the Reserve unit will be your workplace on a parttime basis, and you will not be obligated to relocate to a different base. As part of the Primary Reserve Force, you typically work one night per week and some weekends as a minimum, with possibilities of fulltime employment. Entry Plans Direct Entry: If you already have a medical degree and an unrestricted licence to practice family medicine in a Canadian province or territory, the CAF may place you directly into one of the military clinics following basic training. Basic training and military officer qualification training are required before being assigned. Paid Education Options (MOTP): For candidates with a Doctor of Medicine, the CAF will pay successful recruits to complete a recognized Canadian University Medical program. The program covers tuition fees and educational expenses, including books, instruments, supplies, student fees, and registration costs. For the duration of your studies and residency, you receive a fulltime salary including medical and dental care, as well as vacation time with full pay in exchange for working with the CAF for a period of time. Candidates selected for this program attend university during the regular academic year and participate in additional military training during the summer months. Training At the first available opportunity, you will complete Basic Military Officer Qualification training at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in SaintJeansurRichelieu, Quebec. Medical Officers take the Condensed Health Services Basic Military Officer Qualification Training which consists of two weeks of Distance Learning and four weeks of inhouse training in SaintJeansurRichelieu. Topics covered include general military knowledge, the principles of leadership, regulations and customs of the Forces, basic weapons handling, and first aid. Opportunities to apply newly acquired military skills in training exercises involving force protection, field training, navigation and leadership are also provided. A rigorous physical fitness program is a vital part of basic training. Medical Officers must complete the Common Health Services Officer (CHSO) course, an eightday elearning course available on the Defence Learning Network (DLN). The CHSO course introduces Medical Officers to Canadian Armed Forces policies and procedures as well as human resources management of military members and civilian personnel. Medical Officers attend the Basic Medical Officer Course at the Canadian Forces Health Services Training Center in Borden, Ontario, where they are introduced to the organisational structure and history of the Canadian Forces Medical Service and the unique circumstances of practicing military medicine. Medical Officers may apply for the opportunity to specialise their medical practice in exchange for additional years of service. The CAF will subsidise the following medical specialisations: Emergency medicine General surgery Orthopaedic surgery Anaesthesiology Internal medicine Psychiatry Radiology Physical medicine and rehabilitation As they progress in their career, Medical Officers who demonstrate the required ability and potential may be offered advanced training. Available training includes: Public health medicine Occupational medicine Aerospace medicine Hyperbaric medicine Tropical medicine Epidemiology Health care administration Parttime Options The Canadian Forces Health Services Reserves provide trained personnel to support, augment and sustain Canadian Forces Health Services organisations for CAF operations and training activities, while building and maintaining links between the CAF and the local community. As a health care professional in the Health Service Reserves, you must have an unrestricted licence to practise in your clinical field (including certification in your specific specialty) and have the ability to maintain clinical currency within your civilian workplace. This position is available for parttime employment with the Primary Reserve at certain locations across Canada. Reserve Force members usually serve parttime with a military unit in their community, and may serve while going to school or working at a civilian job. They are paid during their training. They are not posted or required to do a military move, but can volunteer to move to another base and volunteer for deployment on a military mission within or outside Canada. Medical Officers may serve with the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army or the Royal Canadian Air Force as part of the Canadian Forces Health Services Group. They are employed to provide primary health care services for CAF members. Those employed on a parttime or casual fulltime basis usually serve at a military medical unit at a location within Canada. Opportunities in the Reserve Force are available to physicians already licensed to practice medicine in the following areas (not all positions are open to recruiting at all times): Anesthesiology Emergency medicine General surgery Orthopaedic surgery Internal medicine Pediatrics Obstetrics and gynaecology Radiology Plastic surgery Thoracic surgery Neurosurgery Reserve Medical Officers are required to complete a minimum of 14 days of service and/or training each year doing any of the following: acquiring and maintaining military skills, providing health care to military members, teaching, or attending field exercises to practice and/or provide medical care in a military operational environment. Medical Officers have opportunities to serve as part of a deployed Canadian Forces Health Services team in Canada and internationally on a voluntary basis. Related Careers Bioscience Officer Dental Officer Physiotherapy Officer #J-18808-Ljbffr
Job Title
Medical Officer