Chief Medical Advisor, Indigenous Health

Employment Type: Part-Time
Salary: $230,000-$250,000
Hours of Position: Weekdays / 21 hours per week
Work Location: British Columbia

Description:
Working closely with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Chief Medical Advisor, Indigenous Health Care will provide expert guidance and clinical insight on delivering culturally safe care in physician services and support the execution of Doctors of BC’s strategic plan, including its commitment to Truth and Reconciliation. This role requires a deep understanding of systemic racism in healthcare, including the ways colonial policies (e.g., the Indian Act, residential schools, medical experimentation) continue to impact Indigenous health outcomes. Doctors of BC, under the leadership of the Chief Medical Advisor, will dismantle systemic barriers by implementing systems change.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Advisement

• Offer strategic support and expertise to senior leaders, the Board of Directors, and the President on organization initiatives that address barriers faced by Indigenous patients and providers and support physicians to deliver culturally safe care.
• Provide insights on negotiations, advocacy, clinical support, communication, quality improvement, communications and Joint Clinical Committees (JCC) Programs to drive informed operational decisions.
• Clinical insight into strategic problem solving and leverage deep understanding of clinical practice issues and the strategic direction of the organization to contribute to the development and support of new initiatives designed to increase the delivery of culturally safe care and eliminate racism in the BC health care system.
• Will partner with internal operational team to complete audits of Doctors of BC policies to identify and dismantle systemic barriers faced by Indigenous physicians and patients.

Collaboration and Engagement

• Collaborate effectively with external partners and interest holders, including government, committees, healthcare organizations, and other relevant healthcare partners, to address key issues identified in Indigenous patient care and Indigenous physician practice.
• Serve as the organization’s physician lead with external partners to foster strong, collaborative relationships that support our members and the organization’s strategic goals.
• Assist in navigating the complexities of BC’s healthcare system to ensure alignment with organizational goals and the needs of our members in elevating the physician voice.
• Represent Doctors of BC at provincial roundtables, committees, and events, including the Joint Collaborative Committee co-chairs meetings, initiatives and projects, JCC Summits, and advocacy meetings, offering an Indigenous provider perspective.
• Collaborate with operational team and system partners to develop accountability mechanisms for addressing racism within the medical community.

Contribution to Governance and Internal Policy

• Collaborate with CEO and Senior Leaders on Doctors of BC strategy and policies affecting physician members.
• Provide support to Senior Leaders in understanding the nuances of the healthcare environment and culture that physicians practice in. 

Qualifications:

• Must be of Indigenous ancestry (Turtle Island—First Nations, Métis, or Inuit). This role is being held for Indigenous applicants with lived experience and knowledge directly relevant to the position. We ask that candidates please self-identify.
• A minimum of 10 years experience as a family or specialist physician with a valid medical license in British Columbia, Canada.
• Lived experience navigating systemic racism in healthcare as an Indigenous physician or patient advocate.
• Experience in decolonial, trauma-responsive, and anti-oppressive approaches to healthcare leadership.
• Extensive experience in clinical practice as a family or specialist physician with a strong understanding of Indigenous health care needs, services, and issues within BC’s healthcare system
• Extensive experience in clinical practice in a rural community would be an asset.
• Previous leadership and/or experience working in a strategic role within a healthcare organization, particularly an Indigenous healthcare organization, is an asset.
• Deep knowledge of the impacts of colonialization on Indigenous people in health contexts, including knowledge and understanding of Indigenous cultural safety, cultural humility, Indigenous-specific racism and anti-racism.
• Knowledge and respect of Indigenous approaches to health and wellbeing, cultural traditions, ceremonies, protocols, and traditional wellness practices. Must understand the diversity of First Nations, Métis and Inuit cultures.
• Proven ability to provide strategic support and feedback at a senior leadership level.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with external partners, including but not limited to members of government, committee members, partnering physicians and surgeons.
• Familiarity with the Join Collaborative Committees and their initiatives would be an asset
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills
• Ability to promote, maintain, and build relationships with senior leaders and associated organizations, such as: the Board of Directors, physician members, regulatory bodies, professional associations, health organizations, educational institutions, legal representatives, and medical staff organizations.
• Ability to handle highly confidential information in a discreet and professional manner. 

Application Process:
Interested candidates should submit a  cover letter and resume by June 15, 2025 and can apply through the DoBC careers page: https://recruiting.ultipro.ca/BRI5001/JobBoard/49f08ec7-1822-e682-8e87-fb72484999c5/Opportunity/OpportunityDetail?opportunityId=8c34dc57-e06b-430f-9861-e8529999a8c1

Updated CV highlighting relevant experience and qualifications.
Cover letter detailing your interest in the DoBC position and how your skills align with the job requirements.
Copies of relevant certifications and licenses.

Posting Close Date:
June 15, 2025

Contact:
Sonya Sandhu Talent Acquisition Manager: ssandhu@doctorsofbc.ca