Medical Officer; CCFP; EM

Overview

As a member of the military, Medical Officers with Certification in the College of Family Physicians and who hold Special Competency in Emergency Medicine (CCFP(EM)) provide specialized urgent and emergent resuscitative care and instruction in both pre-hospital and hospital environments for Canadian Forces Health Services training and deployed operations. They have the opportunity to be a leader within the Canadian Forces Health Services and serve as mentors and educators to the full spectrum of military health care providers.

Their primary responsibilities are to:

• Be part of multidisciplinary emergency resuscitation teams in Canada and in deployed settings, internationally;
• Provide in-transport care for injured or ill Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members during evacuation;
• Educate and advise multidisciplinary teams on emergency resuscitation;
• Maintain a high level of clinical skills, by holding a position within a civilian health care facility that meets approved CAF requirements;
• Contribute to the development and application of health care policies within the CAF.

Medical Officer CCFP(EM) s in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) maintain their clinical readiness by being embedded as clinical staff in civilian hospitals across Canada, working alongside their civilian colleagues. In addition to primary clinical duties, 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 have certification in the College of Family Physicians with added competency certification in Emergency Medicine (CCFP(EM)), and have a current unrestricted license to practice emergency medicine in any Canadian province or territory, you may be eligible for enrolment and to commence basic training.

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. Medical Officer CCFP(EM) s 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.

Medical Officer CCFP(EM) s must complete the Common Health Services Officer (CHSO) course which is an eight-day e-learning course available on the Defence Learning Network (DLN). The CHSO course introduces Medical Officers to Canadian Armed Forces policies and procedures as well as Human Resource management of military members…