Primary Care Physician

THORNHILL COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE

The Thornhill Community Health Centre (CHC) is an interdisciplinary primary care and community health organization committed to providing accessible, inclusive, and proactive care for individuals and communities facing barriers to care.
Thornhill CHC incorporates accessibility-focused, disability-informed, and equity-centred approaches to care, with a particular focus on supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), neurodiverse individuals, seniors, caregivers, and other underserved populations.
The CHC works collaboratively with community partners, healthcare providers, and interdisciplinary teams to improve access to comprehensive, person-centred care and promote health equity across the community.

The position
The Primary Care Physician provides comprehensive, patient-centred primary medical care to clients of all ages within an interdisciplinary Community Health Centre setting, with particular attention to equity, accessibility, health promotion, and the social determinants of health.

Compensation : The salary for this position is according to the Ministry of Health framework for the funding agreements, which is administered by the Ontario Health.  

Hours of Work

This position follows a CHC team-based primary care model with scheduled clinical hours as follows:

• Monday–Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 


• Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. 


• Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 


• Sunday: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (approximately once per month)

Total weekly hours: 37.5 hours (CHC standard). A 30-minute unpaid   lunch break is scheduled Monday to Friday. During the initial operational phase, these hours will apply as outlined above. Once the clinic is fully operational, hours may be adjusted in alignment with service needs and interdisciplinary team-based scheduling.
This role also includes  periodic participation in shared after-hours on-call coverage with physicians and nurse practitioners (typically a few days every few months).

Start Date
This recruitment is part of future workforce planning. The anticipated start date for the position is December 2026; however, timing may be adjusted based on operational needs and candidate availability.

Key Responsibilities

1. Primary Responsibilities

• Provide ongoing comprehensive primary medical care to clients across the lifespan, including assessment, diagnosis, treatment, counselling, screening, referral, education, follow-up, triage, urgent care, and walk-in services. 


• Assume the role of primary care provider in the prevention, assessment, and management of acute and chronic health conditions, consulting with members of the interprofessional team as needed. 


• Monitor client health status and, in collaboration with clients and other team members, develop and implement care plans and recommendations related to treatment, disease prevention, and health promotion. 


• Deliver care in accordance with the standards of practice of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario and other applicable professional, legal, and organizational requirements. 


• Provide primary care services to the general community, with an emphasis on priority populations and clients with complex medical and social needs. 


• Recognize and respond to the impact of the social determinants of health, and support a model of care that is inclusive, community-based, and team-oriented. 


• Collaborate effectively within an interdisciplinary team-based care environment and contribute positively to the organization’s model of care, health and wellbeing framework, and strategic priorities. 


• Provide consultation, support, and clinical guidance to Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, and other members of the care team to support safe, effective, and full-scope practice. 


• Participate in regular case conferences, team consultations, and interdisciplinary discussions to support coordinated care and review of complex client cases. 


• Assist with or lead the development, implementation, and review of medical directives, clinical policies, protocols, procedures, and guidelines. 


• Identify opportunities to improve clinical protocols, procedures, and service delivery, and contribute to related quality improvement initiatives. 


• Maintain complete, accurate, and timely medical records, assessment notes, correspondence, and performance data in the electronic medical record system, in accordance with organizational policies, confidentiality requirements, Ministry of Health standards, and funder agreements. 


• Review laboratory and diagnostic test results and ensure laboratory requisitions, forms, specimens, and related procedures are completed accurately and appropriately. 


• Make referrals and coordinate care with specialists, community services, health promotion programs, and other healthcare providers as appropriate. 


• Participate in chart reviews, documentation audits, data entry, data collection, and reporting requirements. 


• Contribute to program planning, development, implementation, delivery, and evaluation, including participation in organizational committees and working groups. 


• Participate in quality improvement activities, research initiatives, and other evaluation processes as required. 


• Provide leadership and clinical guidance in the day-to-day operation of primary care services. 


• Participate in after-hours telephone on-call coverage in accordance with established schedules and support evening or extended-hour clinics as required. 


• Supervise and support the education of medical students, learners, and other trainees, as applicable. 


• Maintain and enhance professional competence by keeping current with developments in primary care, community health, and the needs of priority populations. 


• Attend and actively participate in staff meetings, team meetings, case reviews, committee work, and other organizational activities. 


• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned.


• Other duties as assigned (general duties).

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

1) Qualifications  

• Education: Medical degree (MD) from a recognized institution. 


• Experience: 3 to 5 years’ experience in a primary care setting, community-based preferred


• Current registration and in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO). 


• Certification in Family Medicine from the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) or equivalent (preferred). 


• Eligible for medical liability protection through the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA). 


• Experience in primary care, with demonstrated ability to manage a broad range of acute and chronic health conditions across the lifespan. 


• Experience working in a community health setting and/or with priority populations is considered an asset. 


• Knowledge of and commitment to health equity, anti-oppressive practice, and the social determinants of health. 


• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within an interdisciplinary, team-based care model. 


• Strong clinical, communication, and interpersonal skills. 


• Proficiency in the use of electronic medical records (EMR) and other clinical information systems. 


• Ability to meet the requirements for participation in after-hours on-call coverage and evening clinics. 


• Commitment to ongoing professional development and continuing medical education. 


• Ability to work in alignment with organizational policies, procedures, and strategic priorities. 

2) Working conditions 

• Works in a community-based primary care setting serving diverse and often complex client populations. 


• Fast-paced environment with a mix of scheduled, urgent, and walk-in care. 


• Requires flexible hours, including evenings and participation in on-call coverage. 


• Regular use of electronic medical records (EMR) for documentation and reporting. 


• Collaborative, interdisciplinary team environment with frequent meetings and case conferences. 


• Exposure to emotionally complex situations requires strong resilience and professionalism. 


• Adherence to infection control practices and strict confidentiality standards.