
Role title: Provincial Primary Care Cancer Screening Lead
Reports to: Provincial Medical Director, Cancer Control
Operational Accountability to: Manager, ColonCancerCheck, GI Endoscopy and Primary Care l
Location: Hybrid: Virtual / Downtown Toronto - 525 University Avenue
Anticipated time commitment: 1 day per week (0.2 FTE)
Term: 2 years with option for 2-year renewal
Number of opportunities: 1 (one)
Posting date: April 4, 2025
Closing date: May 3, 2025
Position Summary
Ontario Health is seeking expressions of interest from practicing primary care physicians for the position of Provincial Primary Care Cancer Screening Lead. Ontario Health has four organized population-based cancer screening programs (breast, cervical, colorectal and lung). This is a unique opportunity to provide strategic leadership and provide advice on Ontario’s cancer screening programs. The Lead will provide strategic leadership and advice to Ontario Health’s cancer screening programs supporting the design and implementation of organized screening programs across Ontario and collaborates with provincial primary care leadership to strengthen cancer screening in alignment with the provincial primary care strategy.
Questions about the role may be submitted by email no later than April 21, 2025
A consolidated list of all questions and answers will be available to any party, by request, by April 21, 2025.
Interested parties should forward their expression of interest and curriculum vitae, electronically, with the subject line as “Application for Primary Care Cancer Screening - [Your Name]” no later than 5:00P.M. on May 3, 2025.
To send a question, receive a copy of the consolidated list of questions and answers, or to submit your expression of interest please contact sourcing@ontariohealth.ca.
*Note: Responses to the Expression of Interest should address all of the qualifications listed and any potential conflict of interest.
Accountabilities
- Provides strong visionary leadership at the provincial level as well as clinical and strategic advice for Ontario Health’s four organized population-based cancer screening programs (breast, cervical, colorectal and lung) from a primary care perspective;
- Champions the cancer screening programs including promoting participation in screening as well as timely and appropriate follow-up for screening results;
- Participates in the development of evidence-based guidance, policies, clinical pathways and recommendations for the screening programs in collaboration with the programs’ clinical leads for the cancer screening programs;
- Collaborates with the programs’ clinical leads and Ontario Health leadership and staff to support the programs including providing input in deliverables as well as identifying and advising on solutions for system and program level issues for primary care providers and other providers offering cancer screening;
- Develops and supports the execution of strategies to engage primary care providers and other providers offering cancer screening;
- Provides strong leadership for the Regional Primary Care Leads (RPCLs) including leading RPCL face-to-face and virtual meetings and providing guidance to RPCLs;
- Partners and collaborates with Ontario Health’s primary care leadership including represents Ontario’s cancer screening programs as a member of Ontario Health’s provincial primary care leadership groups such as Ontario Health Primary Care Leadership Table (OPCLT);
- Establishes and maintains effective links with the primary care community as well as other relevant clinical communities on behalf of Ontario Health;
- Provides support for responses to clinical questions and represents the program in the community and in the media;
- Participates as an active member of Ontario Health’s (Cancer Care Ontario) Clinical Council;
- Collaborates, where necessary, with other groups within Ontario Health on issues which impact cancer screening.
Qualifications
- Practicing primary care physician in Ontario, in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) and College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC);
- Experience in leadership positions at provincial, regional and/or local level;
- Expertise in population-based cancer screening programs as well as population health and social determinants of health;
- Recognized as an opinion leader within the primary care community;
- Strong understanding of Ontario's health care environment, including knowledge of clinical, administrative and system issues with respect to screening programs and primary care;
- Strong understanding of knowledge transfer and exchange (KTE) and change management strategies to support implementation of evidence-based changes in the screening programs and alignment of with primary care practices with recommendations and guidelines;
- Ability to analyze and interpret information, make sound decisions and communicate these to clinical and non-clinical audiences;
- Aptitude for systems thinking, excellent interpersonal skills and communication skills and ability to build consensus;
- Strong professional presence and ability to present to large and small audiences in a concise, articulate and dynamic fashion;
- Enthusiasm for and commitment to patient-centered care and quality improvement in health care at the provincial/system level;
- Knowledge of current and emerging evidence and guidelines related to primary care and cancer screening;
- Research experience related to primary care, cancer screening, health systems, and/or equity, inclusion and diversity is an asset;
- Models and supports behaviour consistent with the Peoples Values of Ontario Health and a commitment to Ontario’s Health Equity, Inclusion, Diversity and Anti-Racism Framework.
How to Apply
Interested parties should forward their expression of interest and curriculum vitae, electronically, with the subject line as “Application for Primary Care Cancer Screening - [Your Name]” no later than 5:00 P.M. on May 3, 2025 to sourcing@ontariohealth.ca.
We will evaluate all applications against the skills and experience requirements for the position. Those candidates selected for interview will be contacted directly by a representative from the Business Unit. Ontario Health may consider applications from incumbents currently in the position. If you have not been contacted within 3 weeks after the close of the posting, you can assume you are not under consideration for this position.
More about Ontario Health:
Ontario Health is an agency created by the Government of Ontario with a mandate to connect and coordinate Ontario’s health care system in ways that have not been done before, to help ensure that Ontarians receive the best possible care.
Ontario Health oversees health care delivery across the province, which includes ensuring front-line providers and other health professionals have the tools and information they need to deliver the best possible care within their communities. This also means simplifying the current system and connecting and coordinating its many complex parts in new and innovative ways. This involves keeping a close eye on how the health system is performing and providing evidence-based standards and improvements to address any gaps.
Ontario Health helps to support significant and important transformation in Ontario’s health system, working to ease the transition between points of care for Ontarians and helping to ensure they have access to the care they need. Ontario Health is adapting world-renowned practices from areas such as cancer care and renal care to other parts of the system, including mental health and addictions.
Through integration, coordination, connection, and clinical excellence, Ontario Health is working to reduce strain on the system which will enable investment of more resources on the care Ontarians need, and, most importantly, improve health outcomes and overall wellness for all.
As an operational service agency of the Government of Ontario, Ontario Health is accountable for conducting a fair and transparent process, providing equal treatment to all qualified parties, in selecting a candidate for the above-mentioned role.