Provincial Physician Lead - Primary Health Care

Job Description

Provincial Physician Lead - Primary Health Care

The Provincial Physician Lead – Primary Health Care is a key leader in Saskatchewan’s health care system, reporting to the Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Integrated Rural Health, and partnering with system, Authority, and health‑sector colleagues to advance delivery, integration, and transformation of Primary Health Care across the province.

The Provincial Physician Lead – Primary Health Care provides clinical leadership and expertise to support high‑quality, patient‑centered primary care across Saskatchewan. The Physician Lead works closely with operational leaders, interdisciplinary teams, system partners, and physicians to advance provincial Primary Health Care priorities. This role supports the DCMO by promoting consistent clinical standards, enhancing care models, improving access and equity, and strengthening continuity of care across the health system.

The Lead is responsible for influencing physicians, Nurse Practitioners, and other healthcare team members in Saskatchewan, promoting team‑based care, and ensuring effective communication across programs and geographic areas. The Lead is responsible for aligning strategies to local service delivery.

The Provincial Physician Lead represents the SHA in provincial forums as delegated by the DCMO and works closely with key partners, including the Ministry of Health, physician groups, Saskatchewan Medical Association, College of Medicine, community stakeholders, and other clinical programs, to advance the shared objectives of a high‑performing, integrated, and comprehensive primary health care system for Saskatchewan residents. This includes the broader aspects of primary health care such as public health, primary care, urgent care centres, and more.

The Organization

The Saskatchewan Health Authority is the largest organization in Saskatchewan, employing over 45,000 employees and 2,700 physicians. It is responsible for the delivery of high‑quality and timely health care for the entire province. We are driven by a commitment to improve front‑line patient care for Saskatchewan people, and we work to better coordinate health services across the province to ensure patients receive timely, high‑quality care wherever they live.

The SHA infrastructure and services consist of:

• 64 hospitals with 2,500 acute care patient beds.
• Approximately 9,000 long‑term care beds.
• Provincially coordinated, quality, patient‑centred care services such as Acute Hospital‑Based Care, Long Term Care, Mental Health and Addiction Services, Primary Health Care, Public Health, and other community‑based clinical programs designed to promote and maintain population health.

Job Qualifications

Successful candidates for this position will have experience in healthcare leadership and in establishing frameworks and servicedelivery models for planning, implementing, monitoring, evaluation, and quality improvement. Preference will be given to candidates who hold certification or are eligible for certification from the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC).

Candidates should be team players who can interact effectively with members of the public, clients, colleagues, staff, and management. They must be able to function well in a high‑volume environment with a commitment to delivering high‑quality patient, family, and community‑centered care.

Education

• Licensed medical practitioner in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan.
• Canadian Certified Physician Executive Credential (CCPE) is an asset.
• Advanced education in Health Care Administration, Public Administration, and/or Leadership Studies is an asset.
• Participation in the Canadian Medical Association’s Physician Leadership Institute is an asset.

Experience

• 5+ years of experience in healthcare leadership, management, or administration.
• Experience as a medical leader at a strategic level, developing and leading innovative programs in a complex, multi‑stakeholder environment.
• Knowledge of, and experience guiding, health quality improvement processes and initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of the health care system in Saskatchewan and across Canada.
• Ability to coach and develop others.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ethical practice, professionalism, and personal integrity.
• Ability to promote innovation, guide change, and support continuous improvement.
• Ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders and balance community and organizational needs.
• Ability to build interprovincial and external relationships, as well as strategic partnerships with government, physicians, unions, academia, and other healthcare organizations.
• Commitment to diversity, cultural competency, and a culturally safe health system and workforce.
• Recognized for strategic and operational leadership, including articulating mission, vision, and strategy.
• Ability to mobilize people, inspire others, and lead by example.
• Commitment to patient, family, and community‑centered care.
• Commitment to quality, safety, and continuous improvement, striving for zero harm.

Additional Information

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) requires a criminal record check (CRC) from every potential SHA team member. The CRC must be dated within the past six (6) months and be satisfactory to the SHA. A vulnerable sector check (VSC) is required for individuals providing patient, resident, or client care to vulnerable persons. Internal candidates may be required to provide a CRC and/or VSC during the recruitment and selection process.

The SHA is committed to building a representative, diverse, inclusive, and culturally responsive workforce. We are committed to the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action and work in the spirit of truth and reconciliation, acknowledging Saskatchewan as the traditional territory of First Nations and Métis people.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with immigration requirements, preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.

Expected Start Date: January 5, 2026

Application Deadline: December 12, 2025

How to Apply

For information or to apply, please send your CV and cover letter to: