Department Head, Medical Oncology

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.

BC Cancer is entering an exciting period of growth and service expansion. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape Medical Oncology services in partnership with a new cancer centre in Kamloops that brings radiation oncology to Kamloops adding to existing surgical and medical oncology services. The department head will influence clinical practice, and build high-performing teams that deliver world-class, patient-centred cancer care.

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 Kamloops.

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.

What you’ll do

• Provide leadership for the Medical Oncology department and represent Medical Staff perspectives
• Establish departmental policies, procedures, and clinical standards
• Lead planning aligned with service growth and expansion
• Support quality, safety, and performance initiatives
• Lead recruitment, onboarding, and development of medical staff
• Promote research, teaching, and academic partnerships
• Collaborate with Interior Health and regional partners
• Commitment and compensation

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.