Medical Director

Reporting to the Director, Hospice Services, the Medical Director provides medical administrative leadership and medical delegation in conjunction with the Northumberland Hospice Care Centre, community partners and in accordance with CCN mission, vision and values. The Medical Director will serve as a liaison with primary care practitioners regarding hospice care. In addition, the role includes working in partnership with Ed’s House Northumberland Hospice Care Centre staff. The Medical Director may also serve as a credentialed physician at the Hospice Care Centre.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Create and support a culture of shared leadership and mentoring that promote client-centered approaches to decision making and provision of quality care services.
• Ensure quality end-of-life medical care is provided by the most responsible Health Care Provider.
• Adhere to all organizational policies and procedures and assist with the development and review of medical directives, policy and/or procedure affecting medical care.
• Support Hospice Residence staff in making difficult decisions related to admission, assessment and discharge of clients.
• Liaise with OHT-N and other stakeholders including but not limited to Primary Care providers, local & regional hospitals and community agencies.
• Provide on-site training for clinical staff as needed.
• Participate in clinical working groups.

Organizational Responsibilities:

• In conjunction with the Director Hospice Services determine participation in: external community activities; educational opportunities and committees; internal hospice service activities and committees; quality assurance activities.
• Fulfill all responsibilities in accordance with the policies, procedures and standards of the Hospice Residence.

Key Competencies:

• Accountable for the ownership of personal workload and professional decisions.
• Commitment to continuous learning.
• Demonstrated client and family focus by providing exceptional service to both internal and external clients and their families.
• Promotes a collaborative work environment where ideas are shared to achieve organizational goals.
• Express and transmit information with consistency and clarity.
• Excellent verbal and written skills.
• Demonstrated critical thinking /judgement skills through the ability to use sound reasoning when faced with various issues.
• Ability to make timely and effective decisions.
• Proven ability to manage time, balance competing priorities and a changing workload.
• Ability to search for relevant evidence based standards/guideline and integrate into practice.
• Demonstrated collaborative team skills, including interacting with health care professionals and managers in the development of interdisciplinary policies and program.
• Demonstrates compassion and respect for others.
• Licensed and in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.
• Demonstrated training, clinical abilities and significant experience in Hospice Palliative Care.
• Significant knowledge of applicable legislation including but not limited to the Controlled Drug and Substance Act, Ontario Drug Benefit Program facilitated access for palliative care drugs and Regulated Health Professions Act.
• Significant knowledge of the palliative care sector, partners and resources within Northumberland County; including but not limited to MOHLTC priorities, OHT, OPCN, funding programs and current healthcare trends.
• Experience with quality assurance and accreditation.
• Working knowledge of Community Care Northumberland’s vision, mission and values, Philosophy of Care, Guiding Principles and service delivery models.
• Master of Social Work, Counselling, Psychology or another related field.
• Registered member with the Ontario College of Social Workers & Social Service Workers, College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, or equivalent College.
• Additional specialized training/education/certification in grief, loss and bereavement or Thanatology from a recognized post-secondary institution.
• Evidence of training in current grief and bereavement theory and issues related to trauma and demonstrated understanding of complex grief and complex family situations.
• Recent experience providing individual counselling to bereaved people.
• Experience in spiritual/psycho/social assessment and care plan delivery.
• Demonstrated knowledge and commitment to the principles of person and family-centered care.
• Sound assessment and care planning skills with an ability to create a therapeutic alliance and establish appropriate boundaries and limits to support clients.
• Sound knowledge of Northumberland County Community Support Services sector and relevant resources.
• Demonstrated knowledge of effective group facilitation principles with recent experience facilitating bereavement groups.
• Understanding of unique issues and needs of people living in rural areas.
• Awareness of the Adult Bereavement Care Pyramid (Irish Hospice Foundation).
• Cultural Competency training preferred.
• Awareness of and ability to recognize the signs of Prolonged Grief Disorder and refer appropriately.
• Willingness to undertake continuous professional development including bereavement specific training.
• Willingness to work flexible hours.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel in Northumberland County for client visits and meetings.
• Conflict management and problem-solving skills.
• Completion of a 30-hour hospice volunteer training course with an accredited Ontario hospice organization will be considered an asset.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the hospice philosophy of care.
• Proficiency and accuracy in computer and administrative skills.

• Commit to meeting the privacy obligations and requirements of the agency as a custodian of Personal Health Information:
• Actively participate and comply with the Health & Safety Program of the agency.
• Vulnerable Sector Check is a requirement.

Qualified applicants are asked to submit, via e-mail, an expression of interest: careers@commcare.ca by October 22, 2025.

Community Care Northumberland is a non-profit, multi-service, volunteer-based community support organization serving residents of Northumberland County. www.commcare.ca

In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), CCN will provide accommodation in all parts of the hiring process as required, upon request from applicants.