POSITION: Director of Academic, Medical Affairs and Research
DEPARTMENT: Medical Affairs
POSTING: L011-011-2025
RATE: $132,000 – $163,020 Annually
HOURS: Flexible work hours required with some evening and weekend coverage
Located in beautiful Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, Sault Area Hospital (SAH) is a community hospital serving a catchment population of approximately 114,000. SAH provides primary, secondary and select tertiary services to residents in Sault Ste. Marie and the District of Algoma. In addition to providing core services in Emergency and Critical Care; Medicine; Surgery; Obstetrics, Maternity and Pediatrics; Mental Health and Addictions; Complex Continuing Care; and Rehabilitation, SAH is also home to the Algoma Regional Renal Program and the Algoma District Cancer Program including radiation therapy services. We are incredibly proud of our entire team of approximately 2100 dedicated staff, 162 active physicians and 450 volunteers.
At Sault Area Hospital, we take great pride in providing quality, compassionate healthcare services to our rapidly growing communities. As a progressive and vibrant healthcare organization, we are committed to being an innovative center of excellence in community health care
Reporting to the Vice President Medical Affairs, the Director of Academic, Medical Affairs and Research
is accountable for the direction, coordination, and leadership of the Medical Affairs and Research portfolios. This includes providing vision, direction and leadership in physician partnerships, recruitment and retention, physician-led quality improvement, digital health and champions collaborative research. The position requires collaboration with physician leaders and partner organizations and is accountable for achieving optimum standards of service, care and value to our patients in a manner consistent with Sault Area Hospital’s mission, vision and values.
The position oversees the Medical Affairs Department, Library Services Departments, Research and Clinical Trials. The role also works to foster the collaborative relationship with community partners such as the Group Health Center and Sault Ste. Marie Academic Medical Association. The Director works in partnership with peers to extend clinical quality improvement through physician-led initiatives that support the hospital’s Strategic Plan, Quality Improvement Plan, physician-focused education and embeds an evidence-informed practice culture.
Working in partnership with the Chief Medical Information Officer, Chief of Staff, Medical Directors and Chiefs of Departments, responsibilities of this role are focused on developing a practice environment which includes an Academic and Research Strategy that is attractive to Physicians and supports our collaborative and critical partnerships.
Job Duties
• Utilizes initiative, vision, independent thinking and creative problem-solving abilities to explore and collaboratively design innovations that will benefit the organization.
• Leads the development and implementation of innovative and creative approaches, opportunities, initiatives, and projects for delivery of high quality, value-added and efficient services, to support long term strategies and effectively address patient/client needs and expectations.
• Foster a culture of support for the Professional Staff within the organization to serve as an effective initial single point of contact for all Professional Staff matters within the organization
• Works closely with the Vice President Medical Affairs, Department Chiefs and Program Medical Directors, and Administrative Program Directors on hospital initiatives as they relate to medical affairs, and ultimately patient care.
• Establish collaborative relationships and support strategic alliances and partnerships by liaising with other external organizations (eg. MOHLTC, HFO, OMA, hospitals, OHA, academic institutions) on issues and projects related to physician practice.
• Accountable for the strategic planning, execution and support for medical affairs, committees, sub-committees, medical working groups and medical task forces
• Ensuring efficient and effective operation, planning and governance for credentialed professional staff
• Influence the standard of clinical care by developing and implementing a strategic Physician human resources plan.
• Oversees Professional Staff recruitment, onboarding, orientation and retention as part of the broader Physician human resource plan in conjunction with the Chief of Staff, and Physician Leaders.
• Develop, implement and monitor policies and processes to ensure effective appointment, reappointment and credentialing of medical staff.
• Provide administrative leadership for medical education, new physician orientation, clinical research, maintain the physician hospital on-call compensation (HOCC) program, and develops medical staff policies and procedures.
• Coordinate the performance review process for physicians in medical leadership positions and serves as key resource for physician leadership contract management.
• In collaboration with the Chief of Staff, oversee the review and revision of the Professional Staff By-laws and Rules and Regulations, ensuring compliance with Hospital By-laws and the Public Hospitals Act.
• Develop and implement other medical staff policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with external legislation and consulting with peer hospitals on best practices.
• Accountable to develop and execute on the Research Strategy and multi-year plan that aligns to the Hospitals goals and objectives.
• Responsible for developing and fostering relationships with academic partners including NOSM University, Algoma University and Sault College.
• Leads the development and implementation of innovative and creative approaches, opportunities, initiatives, and projects for delivery of high quality, value-added and efficient services, to support long term strategies and effectively address patient/client needs and expectations.
• Partners with the Chief of Staff, Medical Directors and various Physician Leaders to enhance services, foster a culture of high engagement and motivation, and aligns resources along organizational priorities to advance toward a more cohesive, effective, and efficient system.
• Participates as a non-voting member of Sault Area Hospital’s Medical Advisory Committee (MAC), and leads/manages MAC quality-based initiatives.
• Attends Sault Area Hospital’s Medical Staff Association meetings (MSA), and provides support/leadership as requested.
• Participates as a voting member of Sault Area Hospital’s Research Advisory Committee.
• Prepares materials for presentation, information, approval and/or action at different leadership tables including board committees.
• Acts as a resource to provide insight and direction to completing research within the Hospital
Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s Degree in health sciences, social sciences or related field and/or Professional Certification in a related field.
• Minimum 7 years’ recent experience in a healthcare leadership position.
• A Master’s Degree in a related field, including quality improvement is an asset.
• Current certification/licensing with a health related regulating body or professional association in good standing is an asset.
• Research experience
• Strong knowledge of health research principles, including ethics and patient-oriented research.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a collaborative approach to team management.
• Ability to navigate complex organizational environments and build effective relationships.
Join a team of health care professionals committed to excellence in the delivery of patient-focused care. To apply in confidence, please send a cover letter and your resume outlining how your knowledge, experience and personal attributes are a good fit with the requirements of this position and the organization by 4:00 PM June 16th, 2025.
Please Apply Online at: www.sah.on.ca/careers
Sault Area Hospital is a respectful, caring, and inclusive workplace. We are committed to championing accessibility, diversity, equal opportunity and maintaining a barrier-free selection process for job applicants. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process providing the applicant has met the requirements for the open position. Applicants need to make their requirements known to the Human Resources department when contacted. All requests are handled confidentially.
