Medical Director

Job Title: Medical Director - Long-Term Care (LTC)

Reports To: Administrator / Executive Director
Location: Dykeland Lodge Windsor, Nova Scotia
Position Type: Part-Time / Contract

Position Summary

The Medical Director provides medical leadership, clinical oversight, and guidance to ensure the delivery of safe, high-quality, person-centered care within the Long-Term Care (LTC) home. This physician partners with the facility's leadership team, attending physicians, nurse practitioners, and interdisciplinary staff to promote excellence in resident care and compliance with provincial standards, legislation, and best practices.

Key Responsibilities

1. Medical Leadership

• Provide overall medical direction and leadership for the LTC home in alignment with the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness (DHW) LTC Program Requirements.
• Monitor the quality and safety of medical services provided to residents.
• Collaborate with attending physicians, nurse practitioners, and other healthcare providers to ensure consistent, evidence-based care.
• Participate in resident case reviews, complex care planning, and management of critical incidents.
• Serve as a clinical resource to staff and management on medical and ethical issues related to geriatric and palliative care.
• Provide unit coverage if a physician leaves their unit coverage temporarily.
• Not responsible for recruiting or assigning new physicians, coordination with Department of Primary Crae for coverage is expected.
• Maintain a personal roster of residents for direct clinical care.
• Collaborate effectively with physicians, nurse practitioners, and nursing staff to ensure continuity and quality of care.
• Serve as the primary physician contact for nursing staff when the regular attending physician is unavailable for resident concerns.

2. Quality, Safety & Compliance

• Support and participate in the LTC home's Quality Improvement (QI) and Risk Management activities.
• Ensure adherence to the Homes for Special Care Act, Protection for Persons in Care Act, and other relevant provincial standards.
• Monitor and review with Director of Care (DOC) concerns audits, inspections, and the implementation of preventive actions as needed.
• Provide leadership in infection prevention and control and antimicrobial stewardship, medication management, and resident safety initiatives.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and accountability in clinical practice.

3. Education & Collaboration

• Promote ongoing learning and knowledge sharing among interdisciplinary staff regarding geriatric care, chronic disease management, dementia care, and end-of-life care.
• Provide mentorship and support to attending physicians and nurse practitioners working within the LTC home.
• Foster effective communication and collaboration among residents, families, and care teams.
• Occasional assistance with acute care collaboration with residents and urgent care.

Committee Participation

The Medical Director will serve as a key member of the facility's leadership and clinical governance structure and will chair or participate in the following committees:

• Medical Advisory Committee (MAC) - Chair
• Pharmacy and Therapeutics / Medication Safety Committee - Member
• Behavioral Support Committee - Member
• Participate in additional working groups or subcommittees as designated by the Administrator or DHW.

Qualifications

• Doctor of Medicine (MD) with active, unrestricted license in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia (CPSNS).
• Membership in the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA).
• Experience in long term care or geriatrics, family medicine.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of clinical experience in long-term care or related settings preferred.
• Strong leadership, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Knowledge of provincial LTC standards, best practices, and quality improvement methodologies.

Other Requirements

• Availability for regular on-site leadership meetings, committee participation, and clinical consultation.
• Commitment to person-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally competent care.
• Adherence to the mission, vision, and values of Dykeland Lodge and to Nova Scotia's Continuing Care principles.

Medical Director - Long-Term Care

Remuneration and Contract Expectations

Facility: Dykeland Lodge Windsor, Nova Scotia]
Position: Medical Director (Physician)
Effective Date: Open / Flexible

1. Contract Overview

• The Medical Director role is a part-time contracted position that provides clinical leadership and medical oversight within the Long-Term Care (LTC) home. The contract is typically renewable on an annual basis, subject to satisfactory performance and mutual agreement between the physician and Dykeland Lodge.
• The Medical Director will work in collaboration with the Administrator/Executive Director, Director of Care, and the Department of Health and Wellness (DHW) to ensure the highest standard of resident care and compliance with applicable regulations.

2. Hours and Availability

• The Medical Director is expected to provide approximately Ten (10) hours per month of dedicated administrative and leadership time.
• Time commitments include committee participation, leadership meetings, chart and policy review, quality improvement work, and consultation with clinical staff.
• The Medical Director must be reasonably available to the Administrator, attending physicians, and nursing staff for clinical consultation and urgent matters.
• On-site attendance is required for key meetings, inspections, and resident care reviews, as determined by the facility's leadership team.
• Annual General Meeting with Dykeland Board of Chair, Administrator / Executive Director and leadership team.

3. Responsibilities Covered by the Stipend

• The contracted stipend covers administrative, leadership, and governance responsibilities including, but not limited to:
• Chairing and attending required committees (MAC, Quality, IPAC, Pharmacy & Therapeutics, etc.)
• Providing leadership for quality improvement, risk management, and compliance activities.
• Supporting clinical policy development and review.
• Assisting in recruitment, orientation, and evaluation of attending physicians and nurse practitioners.
• Participating in investigations of incidents, complaints, and audits as required.
• Liaising with external partners, regulators, and the Department of Health and Wellness.
• (Note: Direct resident care or billing for medical services remains separately billable through MSI, as appropriate.)

4. Remuneration

• The Medical Director will receive an annual or monthly stipend for administrative duties in accordance with facility guidelines.
• Typical remuneration: $ 725.00 per month.
• Payment is made by Dykeland Lodge upon receipt of monthly or quarterly invoices.

5. Term and Renewal

• Initial Term: One (1) Year
• Renewal: Contract may be renewed annually based on mutual agreement and satisfactory performance.
• Either party may terminate the agreement with sixty (60) day written notice.

6. Reporting and Accountability

• The Medical Director reports directly to the Administrator/Executive Director and collaborates closely with the Director of Care and interdisciplinary leadership team.
• Performance will be reviewed annually, focusing on:
• Leadership and participation in quality and risk management activities
• Engagement with staff, residents, and families
• Contribution to clinical excellence and best practice implementation

7. Insurance and Licensing

• The Medical Director must maintain active licensure in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia (CPSNS) and active coverage with the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) throughout the term of the contract.
• Proof coverage and licensure must be provided annually or upon request.

8. Confidentiality and Professional Conduct

• The Medical Director shall adhere to all facility policies regarding confidentiality, privacy and professional conduct, and will model ethical leadership and collaboration consistent with the facility's values.

Employer-Provided Supports & Resources

• The Employer is committed to supporting the Medical Director role by providing the infrastructure, tools, and administrative supports necessary for effective clinical leadership at Dykeland Lodge.

The Employer will provide:

Professional Liability Coverage

• Employer-provided Errors & Omissions / Medical Malpractice Insurance, including coverage specific to long-term care practice and medical directorship responsibilities, in accordance with provincial requirements.

Technology & Systems Access

• Secure remote access to electronic medical record systems, including Point Click Care and Catalyst, enabling chart review, documentation, quality review, and clinical oversight from off-site locations.
• Employer-issued laptop with required software, encryption, and secure VPN access.
• IT support for system access, troubleshooting, and updates.

Workspace & Environment

• Access to a quiet, private office space on-site for confidential meetings, chart reviews, and family discussions when attending the facility.

Administrative & Operational Support

• Dedicated administrative support for scheduling meetings, coordinating committees, policy reviews, and communication with clinical leadership.

Clinical & Leadership Support

• Collaboration with the Administrator, Director of Care, Assistant Directors of Care, Infection Prevention & Control (IPAC) specialists, and Clinical Leads (RN/LPN).
• Access to facility policies, procedures, quality indicators, incident review data, and outbreak management resources.

Communication & Connectivity

• Employer-provided secure email and communication tools for collaboration with interdisciplinary teams.
• Access to virtual meeting platforms (e.g., Teams/Zoom) for remote attendance at meetings and case conferences.

Scheduling & Flexibility

• Flexibility to perform administrative and advisory duties remotely, with clearly defined on-site expectations.
• Coordinated scheduling support for on-site visits, meetings, and urgent consultations.