General Practitioner in Oncology

Requisition ID: 155154

Opportunity Type: Permanent

Estimated Annual Salary: 50,000 - 100,000

Type of Remuneration: Hourly Rate

Site Visit & Reallocation Allowance Programs: Relocation Program; Site Visit Program

**About This Opportunity**:
The Nova Scotia Health Cancer Care Program (NSH CCP), Western Zone, Valley Regional Hospital has two opportunities for a General Practitioner in Oncology (GPO). The GPO works in a shared care model with specialists from Medical Oncology, Gynecologic Oncology, Hematology, Radiation Oncology, Urology, Thoracic Surgery and Palliative Care as well as the cancer site teams to manage care for the oncology patient. The GPO maintains regular communication with the specialist regarding the plan of care and practices collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team, consulting with members of other health professions, as appropriate. The GPO acts as a resource to the oncology patient’s primary care provider and other health care providers on issues related to the care of cancer patients (e.g., providing guidance during work-up of suspected cancer patients, addressing questions related to referral process, sharing information related to management of cancer patients, etc.). The NSH CCP is responsible for delivering safe and sustainable cancer care services to Nova Scotians. Equitable access to high-quality care close to home is a NSH CCP priority.

**Responsibilities**:

- Maintain current knowledge related to systemic therapy delivery and potential complications.
- Be the most responsible physician contact as it pertains to the patient's cancer treatment for patients under their care.
- Be accountable and committed for the designated days and hours for outpatient assessment clinics per week. Collaborate with prescriber colleagues and clinic leads (e.g., Clinical Practice Lead, Manager) to ensure the number of clinics and patients per clinic allow for safe and efficient care and meet the patient demand and volumes.
- Practice in an interdisciplinary model of care that responds to the patient’s needs while undergoing systemic therapy, radiation therapy and other oncological care, maintaining a supportive role with the patient’s primary care provider.
- Receive patient and supervise treatment delivery as required including:

- Conduct and document a patient’s evaluation regularly as per plan of care. More frequent evaluations may be required based on the patient’s clinical condition.
- Review/ perform pre-treatment assessment including but not limited to bloodwork, diagnostic imaging, toxicity assessment, and other relevant clinical investigations to complete prescription orders for continuation of previously initiated anti-cancer systemic therapy regimens, including:

- New orders
- Modifications of existing orders
- Both oral and parenteral regimens
- Prescribe systemic therapy orders as per protocol and the Cancer Centre Specialist’s referral order.
- Revise systemic treatment in keeping with the protocol or in direct prescriber-to-prescriber consultation with the Cancer Centre Specialist.
- Revise ancillary (e.g., antiemetic) therapy according to patient needs.
- Complete all documentation related to a clinical encounter.
- Provide a summary of patient treatment, upon completion of treatment plan, to be shared with the patient’s referring oncologist/ hematologist, primary care provider, and other clinicians as appropriate, based on patient’s circumstances.
- Act as the most responsible physician during the administration of the patient’s treatment. The patient will continue to see their primary care provider for non-cancer related care.
- Maintain the cancer care plan for patients on active treatment and follow-up, in collaboration with other members of the health care team.
- Manage cancer symptoms and treatment-related adverse effects in collaboration with the specialist and health care team. Agree not to initiate, cancel, or make substantive changes in treatment plan for any patient without the consultation and supervision of a specialist.
- Notify the specialist of changes in the patient’s condition including the following:

- Oncologic emergencies including febrile neutropenia, spinal cord compression and severe hypercalcemia
- Cancer recurrence or progression on treatment
- Grade 3 or higher treatment related toxicity (e.g., neutropenia requiring a treatment delay or treatment reduction)
- Hospital admissions for any cause
- Significant medical illness including myocardial infarction, stroke, venous thromboembolism
- Deaths from any cause
- Follow cancer patients admitted to hospital in collaboration with admitting physician to ensure oncology needs are addressed.
- Where possible, provide follow-up assessments and examinations for cancer patients undergoing surveillance as well as consultation and support for cancer patients without family physicians.
- Complete forms and written referrals as needed.

**Availability**:

- Available on-site d