Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Medical Specialist)

Overview

As a member of the military, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation specialists (physiatrists) belong to the Medical Specialist occupation in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and provide care and clinical leadership in rehabilitation medicine at CAF Health Services facilities in the national capital region. They work closely with primary health care providers and multidisciplinary teams to optimize patient care for CAF members. CAF Physiatrists may also participate in expanded venues in Canada and internationally and have the opportunity to be a leader within the CAF Health Services by serving as mentor and educator to the full spectrum of military health care providers and clients.

Their primary responsibilities are to:

• Provide consultative and direct patient care services for CAF members in Canada;
• Provide subject matter expert (SME) recommendations and advice;
• Provide video assisted consultation to primary care providers and on-going care to members who may be be remotely located in Canada or on international operations;
• Provide mentorship and education to other healthcare professionals; and
• Contribute to the development and application of health care policy within the CAF

Work environment

Physiatrists in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) provide direct care to CAF members at the Canadian Forces Health Care Clinic in Ottawa, which includes physiotherapy and occupational therapy assessment capabilities. Working with primary care teams, mental health services and other CAF Medical Specialists, Physiatrists are integral to a supportive, multidisciplinary approach to patient care. Video-assisted provision of care is used as a modality to reach members remotely located in Canada or on international operations. Participation in education and training tasks, as well as research opportunities, occur nationally and internationally.

To complement their role within CAF Health Services, physiatrists are embedded part time, as staff in tertiary care civilian rehabilitation centers and/or sports medicine facilities, working alongside their civilian colleagues. They may also be called upon to provide clinical expertise to policy application in reviews completed by the Directorate of Medical Policy (D Med Pol) of Health Services Head Quarters in Ottawa.

If you chose a career in the Regular Force, upon completion of all required training, you will be assigned to your first base. While there is some flexibility with regards to postings (relocations), accommodations can't always be made, and therefore, you can likely expect to move at some point in your career. However, if you decide to join the Primary Reserve Force, you will do so through a specific Reserve unit. Outside of training, your chosen Reserve unit will be your workplace on a part time basis, and you will not be obligated to relocate to a different base. As part of the Primary Reserve Force, you typically work one night per week and some weekends as a minimum with possibilities of full-time employment.

Entry plans

Direct Entry Options

If you are a member of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and have an unrestricted licence to practise in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in a Canadian province or territory, you may be eligible for enrolment and to commence basic training.

Training

At the first available opportunity, you will complete Basic Military Officer Qualification training at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. You will take the Condensed Health Services Basic Military Officer Qualification Training which consists of two weeks of Distance Learning and four weeks of in-house training in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. Topics covered include general military knowledge, the principles of leadership, regulations and customs of the Forces, basic weapons handling, and first aid. Opportunities will also be provided to apply such newly acquired military skills in training exercises involving force protection, field training, navigation and leadership. A rigorous physical fitness program is also a vital part of basic training. Basic Military Officer Qualification training is provided in English or French and successful completion is a prerequisite for further training.

Incoming Medical Specialists in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) will attend the Rank Qualification Medical Specialist Major (RQ-Med Spec-Maj) course delivered by the Canadian Forces Health Services Training Centre (CFHSTC). Consisting of an online asynchronous distributed learning (approximately 20 hours) and a five-day residential training phase, this course prepares Medical Specialists to provide expert care within the CAF health system and across operational environments. You will gain an understanding of key common CAF and Canadian Forces Health Services (CFHS) policies, CAF-specific and specialty-specific operational medicine, and the unique aspects of military healthcare. Upon completion, you will be equipped to deliver specialist healthcare in support of CAF members while leading multidisciplinary healthcare teams in both civilian and deployed settings.

Pay and Benefits

A competitive compensation and benefits package is available for this medical specialization.