EOI Donation Physician

Nova Scotia Health (NSH) has outlined a vision for people-centered health care that will enable the system to think and act as one. A critical step in enabling this vision of a provincial approach to health services was the consolidation of the nine existing district health authorities into Nova Scotia Health, with the IWK Health Centre remaining separate. A streamlined health system can provide many opportunities to put resources where most effective to meet population needs, build a system that focuses on people and patients, ensure a provincial approach to planning and integration of services, and reduce duplication.

The Donation Physician role supports the development and implementation of a donation system across Nova Scotia by acting as a champion for deceased donation in the Critical Care and Emergency Care programs. This position reports to the Medical Director of Legacy of Life/Critical Care Organ Donation (LoL/CCOD).

Mandate:

The role of the Donation Physician is to provide medical leadership and to champion the organ and tissue donation program.

As a member of the provincial donation program’s leadership team, the Donation Physician works closely with physicians in Critical and Emergency Care areas to provide support and consultation to the patient care team related to deceased donation.

The Donation Physician will be responsible for ensuring that communication related to the mandatory requirements for referral and the logistic implementation under the Human Organ and Tissue Donation Act (HOTDA) is disseminated to hospital physicians. Working in partnership with the Medical Director, the Provincial Medical Education Lead, the Manager and the Clinical Practice Lead, the Donation Physician will ensure the implementation of donation practices and policies across the NSH. The Donation Physician will support best practices and ensure that an effective donation program is established and integrated into quality end-of-life care. This supports the ability to act on deemed consent of hospital patients and provides families with the opportunity to donate.

The Donation Physician will hold the role of a practicing Intensivist/Internist in the Intensive Care Unit. S/he serves as a clinical resource to improve all aspects of donation in order to maximize the opportunity for potential for donation and transplantation. This role will provide consultative support, education and leadership as required. Further responsibilities are outlined below:

• Maximize donation potential, by minimizing missed opportunities in deceased donation and by implementing the best practices;
• Establish effective working relationships with key stakeholders throughout the hospital. Integrate donation-related education into the professional development of large regional centres;
• Review local/zone level data; in particular missed donation opportunities in order to identify success and opportunities for improvements in the zone;
• Work in conjunction with local/zone based leadership to identify site-specific strategies to optimize organ and tissue opportunities for the zones;
• Ensure effective implementation of deceased donation policies and procedures;
• Ensure integration of donation into end-of-life care practices and policies;
• Identify resources required to support the donation program;
• Ensure effective deceased donation follow-up with hospital physicians;
• Act as a resource person for hospital physicians and staff questions/concerns and issues;
• Liaise with Medical Education Lead and/or Medical Director to address hospital concerns and issues;
• Provide medical insight on performance metrics in donor identification and referral, approach, consent, and clinical donor management;
• Be available to provide support and advice for LoL/CCOD after hours when on call for their Intensive Care Unit;
• Work with the organ donation coordinator in selected cases based on identified criteria;
• Upon request from LoL/CCOD offer directed advice on the declaration and management of potential donors to the Most Responsible Physician (MRP) and bedside MD trainees;
• Use LoL/CCOD provincial policies and program standard operating procedures as guidelines in providing support and advice;
• Provide direction in the donation and transplantation process when conflict occurs between parties;
• Identify educational and improvement opportunities;
• Assist in drafting recommendations and policies that support the mandate of LoL/CCOD and implementation of HOTDA.

• The Donation Physician shall be a physician or surgeon licensed to practice medicine in the province of Nova Scotia with current NS Health privileges.
• The Donation Physician will be an attending physician in Critical Care in the applicable zone.
• Previous experience working in an Organ Donation/Procurement Organization is an asset.
• Demonstrated excellent communication skills.
• Basic computer skills with a familiarity with Microsoft Outlook and spreadsheet or database software.

This is a 1 year term position.

Compensation: $10, for approximately 0.03 FTE

Please submit your expression of interest with a cover letter and CV outlining your experience in relation to the accountabilities for the position to Physician Recruitment Consultant, Lindsey Mattinson at