Internal Medicine Specialist (Medical Specialist

Overview

As a member of the military, Internal Medicine Specialists belong to the Medical Specialist occupation in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and provide high-quality acute and critical care services, whether at Canadian Forces Health Services Clinics or while deployed on international, peacekeeping or humanitarian 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.

• Provide consultative and direct patient care services for CAF members in Canada
• Lead intensive care teams in the management of injured and ill patients in Canada and internationally, in deployed settings.
• Provide in-transport care for injured or ill CAF members during evacuation back to Canada.
• Educate and advise multidisciplinary teams on acute and critical care medicine.
• Maintain a high level of acute in-patient care skills by holding a position within a civilian health care facility.
• Contribute to the development and application of health care policies within the CAF.

Internal Medicine Specialists in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) maintain their clinical readiness by being embedded as staff in tertiary care civilian hospitals across Canada, working alongside their civilian colleagues. Part of their time may be spent providing consultative services to support Primary Care Clinicians at Canadian Forces Health Services Clinics in Canada. Participation in education and training tasks, as well as research opportunities, occur nationally and internationally.

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.

If you chose a career in the Regular Force, upon completion of all required training, you will be assigned to your first base. While there is some flexibility with regards to postings (relocations), accommodations can’t always be made, and therefore, you can likely expect to move at some point in your career. However, if you decide to join the Primary Reserve Force, you will do so through a specific Reserve unit.

Outside of training, your chosen Reserve unit will be your workplace on a part time basis, and you will not be obligated to relocate to a different base. As part of the Primary Reserve Force, you typically work one night per week and some weekends as a minimum with possibilities of full-time employment.

• Direct Entry Options

…If you are a member of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and have an unrestricted licence to practise in Internal Medicine in a Canadian province or territory, you may be eligible for enrolment and to commence basic training.

Currently, the Canadian Armed Forces supports clinicians who practice in the following Internal Medicine sub‑specialties:

• General Internal Medicine
• Infectious Disease
• Critical Care Medicine

At the first available opportunity, you will complete Basic Military Officer Qualification training at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint‑Jean‑sur‑Richelieu, Quebec. You will take the Condensed Health Services Basic Military Officer Qualification Training which consists of two weeks of Distance Learning and four weeks of in‑house training in Saint‑Jean‑sur‑Richelieu. Topics covered include general military knowledge, the principles of leadership, regulations and customs of the Forces, basic weapons handling, and first aid.

Opportunities will also be provided to apply such newly acquired military skills in training exercises involving force protection, field training, navigation and leadership. A rigorous physical fitness program is also a vital part of basic training. Basic Military Officer Qualification training is provided in English or French and successful completion is a prerequisite for further training.

Incoming Medical Specialists in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) will attend the Rank Qualification…