Department Head, Medical Oncology
BC Cancer – Kelowna
Regular, Full-Time (1.0 FTE)
Kelowna, BC


Lead the future of cancer care in one of BC’s fastest-growing regions


BC Cancer is one of the world’s renowned cancer organizations. Working in close partnership with regional health authorities and community sites, BC Cancer supports patients across the Interior region to access high-quality cancer care closer to home.


This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the future of BC Cancer – Kelowna, a leading regional cancer centre serving patients across the Interior. Working alongside a dedicated team of clinicians, researchers, and health professionals, the successful candidate will help advance innovative models of care and support the delivery of world-class, patient-centred cancer services for the communities we serve.



The Opportunity

In accordance with the established vision and values of BC Cancer and the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), the Department Head, Medical Oncology provides medical leadership, strategic direction, and oversight to support the continued development and expansion of Medical Oncology services in Kelowna.

Reporting to the Executive Medical Director, BC Cancer Kelowna (or designate), the Department Head works closely with site leadership, provincial program leaders, and Medical Affairs to support clinical planning, workforce development, and operational readiness aligned with the centre’s growth trajectory. The Department Head is responsible for providing oversight for the clinical and academic activities of Medical Oncology at the centre, fostering excellence in clinical care, teaching and academic productivity among members of the department.



What you’ll do

Provide leadership for the Medical Oncology department and represent Medical Staff perspectives and support communication and engagement with Medical Staff
Place patient needs at the centre of decision-making.
Promote excellence in clinical care, quality, and safety.
Foster innovation and continuous improvement.
Promote research, teaching, and academic activities
Encourage a culture of compassion, professionalism, and accountability.
Model inclusive and respectful leadership.
Foster psychological safety and belonging for all.
Support equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Actively promote Indigenous Cultural Safety and humility.


Manage medical staff in the department; including scheduling, leaves of absence, regular department meetings, credentialing, privileging. Establish departmental policies, procedures, and clinical standards.
Demonstrates integrity and professionalism, leads by example
Addresses difficult issues respectfully and directly.
Holds self and others accountable to BC Cancer, PHSA standards and values.


Lead recruitment, onboarding, and development of medical staff
Provides on-going support of departmental members, from on-boarding to departure, ensuring compliance with Agency and PHSA policies.
Develops future leaders and mentors colleagues.


Bring the department voice to planning aligned with service growth and expansion
Leads the development of a compelling vision for the department.
Balances operational demands with long-term development.
Aligns departmental priorities with BC Cancer's mission and strategic direction.


Collaborates with Interior Health Authority, provincial, national and other regional partners
Investigate concerns of physician behaviour, and delivery of patient care, and where appropriate initiates disciplinary procedures in accordance with the Medical Staff Bylaws, PHSA Medical Staff Rules and Health Authority policies.



Core Competencies:


Applicants must be eligible for licensure in British Columbia and must have obtained their Fellowship in Medical Oncology from the RCPSC (or hold an equivalent qualification) by the time of appointment. The successful applicant will receive a clinical appointment with the UBC Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, and will have privileges through both the Provincial Health Services Authority and our partner health authority, Interior Health, at the Royal Inland Hospital, a tertiary referral centre in the region. Canadian Immigration regulations accord preference to Canadian citizens and landed immigrants.

Brings an understanding of the Indigenous specific racism and the broader systemic racism that exists in the colonial health care structure, and has demonstrated leadership in breaking down barriers and ensuring an environment of belonging and Indigenous Cultural Safety. Demonstrates action-oriented practices addressing Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, as well as confronting/addressing broader issues of racism and discrimination. Exhibits strong DEI and anti-racism competencies/skills to lead by example fostering a culture of continuous learning, equity, inclusion and belonging.

Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (the Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.).


Skills & Knowledge

Demonstrated deep understanding of their personal learning/unlearning journey in relation to Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, as well as addressing racism more broadly. Able to articulate and share this journey to motivate and inspire others enhancing a culture of learning/unlearning and self-reflection.
Demonstrated knowledge of the social, economic, political realities of settler-colonialism and impacts on Indigenous peoples in social and health contexts as well as knowledge and understanding of, and commitment to upholding legislative obligations and provincial commitments in the foundational documents: Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan, Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, and the Distinctions Based Approach.


This leadership role is supported through an annual administrative stipend of $15,000 in addition to the compensation of a 1.0 FTE Oncologist. The department head spends half of their work time providing patient care and half of their time doing administrative work of the department head role.



What we bring


Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.

Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs, including +2,000 courses, such as our San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles.
Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.


Contact

To apply, please send a letter expressing your interest along with your curriculum vitae to: Health Match BC


What we do

BC Cancer provides comprehensive cancer control for the people of British Columbia.

BC Cancer is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).


(PHSA) plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Cultivate partnerships – Serve with purpose.


The BC Cancer is committed to reducing the incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer, and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer. BC Cancer provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of British Columbia in partnership with regional health authorities to deliver a range of cancer services, which include prevention, screening and early detection, diagnosis and treatment, research, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care. It operates six regional cancer centres in Surrey, Kelowna, Vancouver, Victoria, Abbotsford and Prince George, along with two research centres that conduct research into the causes and cures for cancer.


BC Cancer is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) which plans, manages and evaluates specialty and province-wide health care services across BC. PHSA embodies values that reflect a commitment to excellence. These include: Respect people • Be compassionate • Dare to innovate • Cultivate partnerships • Serve with purpose.


PHSA and BC Cancer are committed to employment equity and diversity and hires on the basis of merit. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, including visible minority group members, women, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity. Citizens and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. We recognize that our ability to provide the best care for our diverse patient populations relies on a rich diversity of skills, knowledge, background and experience, and value a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment.

Reconciliation is an ongoing process and a shared responsibility for all of us. The BC Governments’ unanimous passage of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act was a significant step forward in this journey—one that all health authorities are expected to support as we work in cooperation with Indigenous Peoples to establish a clear and sustainable path to lasting reconciliation. True reconciliation will take time and ongoing commitment to work with Indigenous Peoples as they move toward self-determination. Guiding these efforts Crown agencies must remain focused on creating opportunities that implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Mandate.

One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes ongoing commitments to Indigenous recruitment and employee experience as well as dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya’k̓ula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at ***@phsa.ca (🔒 Premium).


Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and exclusion faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and title of BC First Nations and self-determination of all First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. PHSA is mandated to uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents including the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study.

Qualifications:
Current College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC) License (Full); Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) (Mandatory); Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada (FRCPC) (Mandatory); Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada (FRCSC) (Eligible)