Vernon

In the heart of the Okanagan Valley, Vernon presents a tableau of life that’s both vibrant and peaceful. Here, the expanse of three lakes offers a canvas where nature’s artistry is on display, setting the stage for a lifestyle that is both relaxed and invigorated by the surrounding beauty.

With a climate that graces the city with four distinct seasons, Vernon is a year-round playground for those who seek the thrill of outdoor adventures and the solace of natural retreats. Kalamalka, Okanagan and Swan Lakes lure beachgoers, paddlers, and anglers. In winter, SilverStar transforms into a skier’s paradise, while Sovereign Lake grants cross-country skiers endless glides.

The landscape of learning and development in Vernon is as vibrant as its natural scenery. Nearly a dozen top-ranked public and private schools deliver stellar curricula, including Montessori, French immersion, Indigenous education, and enrichment academies. Local campuses enable students to pursue higher levels of expertise without venturing far.

Vernon stands as a testament to a life well-lived, where the quality of living is elevated by the abundance of nature, the strength of community, and the breadth of opportunities. Here, every season unfolds new possibilities, inviting individuals and families alike to partake in a lifestyle that is both enriching and fulfilling. Here, the promise of a balanced life is not just an ideal; it’s a reality.

Practice Details:

POSITION SUMMARY
In alignment with Interior Health’s vision, values, and strategic priorities, the Medical Director, Vernon Silver Star Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC) provides physician leadership to support the delivery of high-quality, patient-centred care and the achievement of quality outcomes. The Medical Director also contributes to advancing the objectives of the Medicine portfolio and broader organizational priorities.

Reporting to the Senior Medical Director and in partnership with the Vernon Silver Star operational leadership team, the Medical Director works within a collaborative space that includes:
• First Nations partners
• Family Physicians and Nurse Practitioners
• Executive Medical Directors
• Primary Care leadership structures
• Nursing and Allied Health staff
• Vernon Jubilee Hospital Medical Staff

The Medical Director is expected to maintain regular clinical service at the Vernon Silver Star UPCC as a participating physician in the UPCC group service contract.


TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
A. Clinical Leadership, Quality and Patient Care
• Promotes a culture of clinical excellence, quality improvement, and professional accountability.
• Provides clinical leadership and, in partnership with operational leadership, supports appropriate oversight of medical services and team-based care.
• Provides medical leadership in the development, implementation, and evaluation of clinical standards, protocols, policies, and evidence-informed practices.
• Champions continuous quality improvement initiatives, including the measurement, evaluation, and implementation of best practices to improve patient and provider experiences.
• Supports initiatives that improve timely access to urgent and primary care services and reduce avoidable emergency department visits.
• Provides medical leadership in addressing clinical care issues, patient concerns, physician engagement, and service quality.
• Provides clinical advice and support to nurse practitioners and other clinical team members as appropriate.
• Participates in quality improvement, patient safety, and program evaluation activities to support high-quality care and service delivery.
• Serves as the UPCC Site Medical Director and fulfills CPSBC requirements applicable to multi-registrant clinic settings.
• Maintains an active clinical practice at the Vernon Silver Star UPCC as a participating physician in the UPCC Group Service Contract.
B. Physician Leadership, Workforce Planning and Medical Staff Engagement
• Participates as a key member of the site leadership team, contributing to strategic planning, service delivery, and workforce planning.
• Supports physician recruitment, onboarding, orientation, and engagement activities to ensure sustainable physician coverage and a positive practice environment.
• Liaises with Medical Affairs regarding physician contracts and provides input into physician service delivery models.
• Coordinates physician orientation to the site, including EMR and billing processes, with support from the UPCC Manager.
• Provides mentorship and support to physicians and nurse practitioners working within the UPCC.
• Participates in the resolution of physician performance or behavioural concerns and liaises with the Senior Medical Director as appropriate.
• Assists with physician performance evaluation processes.
• Arranges and/or participates in the supervision of physicians holding provisional licensure, as required by the CPSBC.
C. Collaboration, Partnerships and System Integration
• Works in a dyad leadership model with the UPCC Manager and collaborates closely with clinical operations leadership, Primary Care Network leadership, and community partners.
• Fosters effective collaboration among physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, allied health, and Indigenous health partners.
• Collaborates with the UPCC Manager and Director to support provider meetings focused on team-based care, quality improvement, and operational effectiveness.
• Participates in Primary Care Network and regional planning structures to support service integration, collaboration, and alignment across the continuum of care.
• Serves as a physician advisor and advocate on clinical and operational issues, identifying opportunities for innovation, improvement, and system integration.
• Represents the Vernon Silver Star UPCC in professional matters involving CPSBC and Interior Health Medical Affairs.
D. Education, Professional Development and Culture
• Promotes continuing medical education, professional development, and educational initiatives that support excellence in urgent and primary care practice.
• Participates in regional and local continuing professional development and continuing medical education initiatives.
• Attends and contributes to clinic meetings, leadership meetings, team development activities, and educational opportunities, providing the physician perspective.
• Fosters a respectful, inclusive, and psychologically safe workplace that supports teamwork, provider wellness, professional development, and staff engagement.
• Champions cultural safety, humility, equity, diversity, and inclusion, and promotes the integration of the Syilx Nation Practice Framework and

Qualifications:

• Eligible for licensure with CPSBC
• LEADS CAPABILITIES Demonstrates all LEADS Capabilities, in particular: • Leads Self/Cultural Agility – self-awareness, demonstrates character, noticing and adapting to cultural uniqueness to create a sense of safety for all. • Engages Others/Empathy – fosters the development of others, communicates effectively, builds effective teams, listens with heart rather than reacting. • Achieves Results/Process Orientation – sets direction, strategically aligns decisions with vision, values & evidence, accepting that use of process orientation and a ‘good relationship’ are concrete deliverables. • Develops Coalitions/Building a Trust-Based Relationship – builds partnerships & networks to create results, demonstrates a commitment to customers & service, navigates socio-political environments, building personal relationships in addition to professional ones, participating in open exchanges of experiences and culture. • System Transformation/Credible Champion – demonstrates systems/critical thinking, strategically oriented to the future, champions & orchestrates change, remains self-aware and maintains effective relationships, shows courage and conviction in advocating for change for the betterment of Indigenous people.

Call Schedule:

Hours of work: 0.1 FTE
On call requirements: NA

Compensation:

Vernon Urgent and Primary Care Centre:

The Vernon Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC) is a partnership among the Ministry of Health, Interior Health, the Division of Family Practice and other community partners. It augments the existing same day access to primary care in the North Okanagan currently provided by a network of primary care practices and improve access to same day care for patients. In addition, the Vernon UPCC attaches patients in need of a primary care provider until they can be attached to a regular patient medical home and will provide patients an alternative to the Emergency Department for urgent and episodic care needs that can be managed by primary care.

As a General Practice Physician, you will work with members of the care team at the Vernon Urgent and Primary Care Clinic (UPCC). This state of the art clinic will provide longitudinal, urgent, and episodic care to the community of Vernon. This is an excellent opportunity for physicians to work as part of an inter-professional team.

The UPCC team consists of family physicians (FPs), nurse practitioners (NPs), registered nurse team lead, primary care registered nurses (RNs), social workers (SWs), medical office assistants (MOAs), and a dedicated operational manager. The team will focus on members of the general population with non-life threatening illnesses or injuries who need access to same-day care, including those who are unattached.