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Leilani Doyle
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Emergency Medicine Specialist (Medical Specialist)

OFFICER | Full Time, Part Time

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Overview Training Entry plans Part time options
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    • Overview

    As a member of the military, Emergency Medicine Specialists (FRCPC(EM)) are certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and belong to the Medical Specialist occupation in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). They provide specialized urgent and emergent resuscitative care in both pre-hospital and hospital environments for Canadian Forces Health Services on domestic and international operations. They have the opportunity to be a leader within the CAF Health Services and serve as mentor and educator to the full spectrum of military health care providers. Their primary responsibilities include:

    • Being part of multidisciplinary emergency resuscitation teams in deployed settings, both in Canada and internationally;
    • As a member of specialized Forward Air Evacuation teams, providing in-transport care for injured or ill CAF members during evacuation;
    • Educating and mentoring other providers in emergency medicine and advising on best practices in resuscitation care;
    • Maintaining a high level of clinical skills by holding a position within a civilian health care facility that meets approved CAF requirements;
    • Contributing to the development and application of health care policies within the CAF.

    Work environment

    Emergency Medicine Specialists in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) maintain their clinical readiness by being embedded as clinical staff in larger academic civilian hospitals across Canada, working alongside their civilian colleagues. In addition to primary clinical duties, participation in education and research is encouraged. They belong to 1 Canadian Field Hospital and maintain their operational readiness by participating in annual military skills training and field exercises. When required, they will be called upon to deploy to unique and challenging clinical environments as part of a Health Services team on domestic and international operations.

    Pay and Benefits

    A competitive compensation and benefits package is available for this medical specialization. Contact a Health Services Specialist Recruiter to learn more: HSRecruiting-RecrutementSS@forces.gc.ca

    Training

    After enrolment, you will begin 6 weeks of Basic Military Officer Qualification training (BMOQ) at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. Topics covered include general military knowledge, the principles of leadership, regulations and customs of the Forces, basic weapons handling, field training, navigation and first aid. A rigorous physical fitness program is also a vital part of basic training. Opportunities will be provided to participate in training exercises and lead small group tasks to apply your newly acquired military skills. Basic officer training is provided in English or French and successful completion is a prerequisite for further training.

    Learn more about Basic Training here.

    All physicians, including Emergency Medicine Specialists, attend the Basic Medical Officer Course (BMOC) at the Canadian Forces Health Services Training Centre (CFHSTC) in Borden, Ontario. Here, they are introduced to the organizational structure and history of the Canadian Forces Medical Service and the unique circumstances of practicing military medicine. This training incorporates blended delivery modalities with on-line components and a residential component. In its entirety, the training lasts six weeks and is usually available twice per year, in one-, two- or three-week sessions. Environmental training, an operational requirement, includes field exercises that may take place anywhere in the world.

    Emergency Medicine Specialists may be eligible to apply for the opportunity to further specialize their medical practice and, when applicable, can receive subsidized educational opportunities in exchange for additional years of service. Supported training will normally consist of a fellowship program at a Canadian University but may include other post-graduate degrees and/or courses determined to be complimentary to military practice. These might include pre-hospital care, disaster medicine, simulation in education or toxicology.

    As they progress in their career, Emergency Medicine Specialists who demonstrate the required qualifications, ability and potential may be offered advanced training in the following areas:

    • Flight Surgeon (Aerospace Medicine);
    • Dive and Hyperbaric Medicine;
    • Mobile Surgical Resuscitation Team training;
    • Nuclear, Chemical and Biologic Threats and Response;
    • Forward Acute Care Resuscitation Team training; and
    • Military and health care leadership.

    Entry plans

    If you are certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in Emergency Medicine and have an unrestricted licence to practise in Emergency Medicine in a Canadian province or territory, you may be eligible for enrolment and to commence basic training. To find out more information or to apply to the CAF as an Emergency Medicine Specialist you can contact our recruiters at: HSRecruiting-RecrutementSS@forces.gc.ca. Please indicate in the subject line of your e-mail: MEDICAL SPECIALIST

    Part time options

    The role of the Canadian Forces Health Services Reserves is to provide trained personnel to support, augment and sustain Canadian Forces Health Services organizations for Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) operations and training activities, while building and maintaining links between the CAF and the local community.

    As a health care professional in the Health Services Reserves, you must have an unrestricted licence to practice in your clinical field (including certification in your specific specialty) and maintain clinical currency within your civilian workplace.

    A position may be available for part-time employment with the Primary Reserve at certain locations across Canada. Members of the Primary Reserve are paid during their training. They are not required to move, however, they can volunteer to move close to another unit. They may also volunteer for teaching, training and/or deployment on a military mission within or outside Canada.

    Medical Specialists can broaden the medical support capability of the Health Services by joining 1 Canadian Field Hospital Detachment Ottawa. Members of this Primary Reserve unit complete a minimum annual commitment of 14 days of service and/or training at any time during the year, doing any or all of the following: providing health care services to Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members, teaching and monitoring clinical skills of personnel, attending field exercises to practice and/or provide medical care in a military field environment. 

    Medical Specialists serving in the Primary Reserve may live and work across Canada, as long as they are within a 100 km of a CAF Health Services unit. There is a small headquarters and administration section located in Ottawa, Ontario to assist them. All members of the Canadian Forces Health Services Reserves may have an opportunity to work internationally as members of a deployed Canadian Forces Health Services Team, on a voluntary basis.

    Part-time opportunities within the CAF may exist for specialties and sub-specialties, depending on the requirements and position availability. These include:

    Anesthesiology

    Emergency Medicine

    General Surgery

    Internal Medicine (General, Infectious Diseases, Critical Care)

    Orthopedic Surgery 

    Radiology

    Neurosurgery

    Plastic Surgery

    Thoracic Surgery

    Obstetrics and Gynecology

    Pediatrics

    Otolaryngology

    Urology

    Opthamology

    Cardiology

    Gastroenterology

    Pathology

    Dermatology

    To find out more information or to apply please contact a Health Services Specialist Recruiter: HSRecruiting-RecrutementSS@forces.gc.ca

    Find a Recruiting Centre

    Reserve Force members are trained to the same level as their Regular Force counterparts. All members complete Basic Military Officer Qualification Training (BMOQ), at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. Topics covered include general military knowledge, the principles of leadership, regulations and customs of the Forces, basic weapons handling, field training, navigation and first aid.  This training varies in length and is usually available in two-week sessions or on weekends. You must also complete basic occupational training (Basic Medical Officer Course, BMOC), which teaches you how to employ your clinical skill/profession within the military environment. This training incorporates both on-line and on-site training over six weeks and is usually available twice per year, in one-, two- or three-week sessions held at the Canadian Forces Health Services Training Centre (CFHSTC), in Borden, Ontario.

    Medical Specialists in the Primary Reserve maintain their civilian positions in tertiary care hospitals across Canada. They belong to 1 Canadian Field Hospital Detachment Ottawa and stay operationally ready by participating in required military skills training and field exercises. Primary Reserve Medical Specialists will be able to contribute to development and delivery of clinical teaching and training tasks delivered across Canada, as well as volunteer to deploy to unique and challenging clinical environments as part of a Health Services team on domestic and international operations. In some cases, they may be able to provide medical care in a Canadian military health care clinic or operating theatre.  Reserve Force members are paid 92.8% of Regular Force rates of pay, have the opportunity to receive a reasonable benefits package and may qualify to contribute to a pension plan.