Job Description

JR101851

Public Health Physician

Location: Toronto-661 University

Department: Public Health Physicians

The Role:

Supports the scientific and technical work of Public Health Ontario (PHO) by providing subject matter expertise, including specialized immunization and vaccine-preventable diseases' expertise, in the public health sciences within their area(s) of responsibility, as well as formal leadership on various projects/initiatives, and informal leadership in conjunction with managers of various teams.
Along with the other physicians, senior leaders within the department/portfolio, this position will work in a collaborative manner to provide expert scientific, medical and technical support to PHO program areas and stakeholders, including in the area of immunization and vaccine-preventable diseases.

Key Responsibilities -

Provides specialized scientific and medical advice and expertise in communicable disease investigation, control, surveillance, epidemiology and management of public health issues to PHO staff and stakeholders, including in the area of immunization and vaccine-preventable diseases. Takes a lead role in the scientific contributions to ongoing updates/revisions to relevant infectious diseases and immunization protocols and guidance documents. Contributes to the planning and implementation of projects and initiatives, including providing leadership and scientific/medical oversight for selected projects, such as research projects, surveillance initiatives, resource material development, educational sessions etc. Provides epidemiologic, scientific and medical expertise to the department and assists with program evaluations and quality improvement activities. Ensures that the medical, scientific and technical advice provided to public health partners is of the highest quality and relevance. Supervises and mentors' public health and preventive medicine residents and other trainees as required. Supervises third party grant-funded staff as applicable to third party grant-funded research projects. Represents PHO, promoting our mandate and strategic initiatives through presentations at meetings, conferences, and other activities. Acts as an expert witness as needed for PHO and Province of Ontario legal cases. Participates in the public health physician on-call roster. Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Skills-

Expert knowledge of communicable diseases, immunizations, chronic diseases, or environmental health (as relevant) and epidemiologic principles. Strong skills in synthesis and critical appraisal of literature, guidance and technical document development, and knowledge and practice of current guidelines and best practices within the Canadian healthcare setting. Experience in providing scientific feedback and mentoring of professional staff or students, or experience supervising staff in a general work environment. Experience in conducting evidence reviews and translating the results for policy and program application. Experience in conducting or interpreting observational and analytic research methods, such as statistics, modeling, and geospatial information system. Excellent oral and written communication skills, including experience in responding to media inquiries and diplomacy during multi-sector stakeholder meetings. Strong analytic and/or methodological skills related to the practice and science of public health or infection prevention and control. Proficient use of technology including word processing, spreadsheets and presentation applications. Knowledge of the Ontario public health system, relevant legislation and key partners.

Education and Experience-

Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in Public Health and Preventive Medicine or equivalent. Other suitably qualified physicians with post-graduate training in public health may be considered. Licensed to practice medicine independently by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario in Ontario or able to obtain license in Ontario prior to start date. Member of the Canadian Medical Protective Association in their area of specialty. Academic appointment at a Canadian (Ontario preferred) university at the level of assistant professor or higher. Five (5) years' experience in public health after completion of residency, in related areas of practice preferred (e.g., communicable diseases, immunization). Experience in local public health is preferred.

Attributes and Competencies-

Proven diplomacy and interpersonal skills with a track record in developing partnerships and working within multi-disciplinary teams and facilitating meetings. Communication and interpersonal skills to provide epidemiologic, scientific, and medical expertise to the department and assist with program evaluations and quality improvement initiatives. Oral communication and interpersonal skills to facilitate groups, deliver formal learning/training sessions and presentations within a variety of settings for professional staff and stakeholders. Written communication skills to prepare correspondence, reports, grant applications and presentations, teaching materials, and a wide variety of other materials. Skills for effective communication with media, a variety of stakeholders, public health partners and audiences. Provides timely, scientifically robust and clearly communicated responses to stakeholder inquiries, taking into account PHO's mission, vision, values, strategic plan, potential risks and political sensitivities of various topics. Contributes to identifying and anticipating opportunities and initiatives for streamlining planning and operational activities and supports. Builds networks across PHO to streamline corporate services and supports for key initiatives, goals and objectives articulated in the operational plan. Works with the management team in the development and implementation of programs and activities that fit the unit's mandate and operating procedures. Contributes to and supports the operational effectiveness and efficiency for area of responsibility including resolving any customer service and client issues or concerns regarding services, programs, and initiatives of the program. Works and interacts with a range of individuals including internal PHO staff, government ministries and departments, health units, healthcare facilities and front-line health care providers to effectively build and maintain linkages in the development of tracking, surveillance and research related to Health Protection, Health Promotion, Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, and Environmental and Occupational Health program areas as relevant. Influences public health policy and practice development. Responsive to the needs of clients in a timely manner appropriate to level of urgency. Conducts service in a professional and diligent manner consistent with PHO standards and accepted professional, university academic and ethical principles. Represents PHO and its mission and values in all activities with external partners and clients. Supports the implementation of innovative process improvements, new strategies, directions or practices in collaboration with the management team and other internal stakeholders. Understands and contributes to PHO's business and operational planning processes and indicator reporting, identifies opportunities to share knowledge and recommends changes to improve existing methods, procedures or techniques. If these will impact other units and Programs, identifies these impacts and supports change management processes. Provides regular reports to relevant managers and leaders on the status of programs including risks identified and action plans to mitigate these. Work is performed within the broad framework of the Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion Act,within professional standards and practices of scientific and evaluative research methodologies. Supports initiatives from inception through implementation to completion, evaluation and quality improvement to coordinate the development and dissemination of best practices and program development. Identifies, addresses and problem-solves issues within the program area and appropriately refers policy-level issues and informs senior management.
Duration: Permanent

Hours of Work: Full time, 36.25 hours per week

Compensation Group: Individual Contributor

Posting Date: 07-21-2025

Closing Date: 08-17-2025

Please note: applications will be received no later than 11:59pm on the date preceding the closing date as indicated on the Job Requisition.

Note: Internal candidates will be considered first.

While we thank all applicants for their interest, only those selected to move forward in the recruitment process will be contacted. Any information obtained during the course of recruitment will be used for employment recruitment purposes only, and not for any other purpose.

PHO is committed to ensuring equity in employment. Our goal is to create a diverse, inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to ensure our services and communications are accessible to all individuals. Any candidate who requires a job posting in an alternative format may email a request to HR_Inquiries@oahpp.ca. Once an applicant has been selected for an interview, they can inform PHO about any accommodations they may require at any stage of the interview process.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: From $150,000.00 per year

Schedule:

Monday to Friday
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Toronto, ON M5G 1M1