Addictions Medicine Co Lead - Provincial Clinical Network – Mental Health & Addictions

Job Description

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is seeking an Addictions Medicine Co Lead to provide provincial clinical leadership within the Mental Health and Addictions Provincial Clinical Network (PCN). We are accepting applications from physicians all over Saskatchewan.

In this physician leadership role, the Co Lead will work collaboratively with operational leaders, clinicians, and system partners to provide clinical expertise, strategic guidance, and leadership to the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of coordinated addiction care across Saskatchewan. The role supports the advancement of integrated, evidence-informed care for individuals with substance use disorders, with a particular focus on system alignment, harm reduction, and improving access and outcomes for high risk and complex populations.

Operating within a co-leadership leadership model, the Addictions Medicine Co Lead shares accountability for PCN strategy, planning, and performance, contributing to a coordinated provincial approach to system improvement and clinical integration.

About the Provincial Clinical Network

The Provincial Clinical Network serves as a system-level structure to align clinical care, reduce variation, and support quality improvement across services and sectors. It enables coordination across working groups, promotes consistent standards of care, and facilitates collaboration among clinicians, leaders, and partners.

This work supports a population experiencing complex and evolving challenges, including polysubstance use, concurrent mental health conditions, and elevated risk of morbidity and mortality.

Role Summary

The Addictions Medicine Co Lead provides provincial leadership across clinical strategy, system integration, and network development, supporting the advancement of a coordinated, high-quality addiction care system across the continuum.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership and System Integration

Working in partnership with PCN and operational leadership, the Co Lead will contribute to the development and implementation of a coordinated provincial addiction care system by:

• Co leading the development and execution of PCN strategy, priorities, and workplans
• Supporting alignment of addiction services across emergency departments, inpatient settings, and community-based care
• Guiding the development of standardized assessment approaches, treatment pathways, and recovery-oriented models of care
• Identifying system gaps and supporting integrated, cross-sector solutions

Clinical Leadership and Population Focus

The Co Lead provides expert leadership in addiction medicine to support safe, effective, and equitable care by:

• Advancing evidence-informed substance use disorder care models
• Supporting withdrawal management, stabilization, and ongoing treatment approaches
• Championing harm reduction strategies aligned with best practice and system need
• Supporting system response to high-risk populations impacted by the opioid and polysubstance crisis 8

Network Development and Engagement

The Co Lead plays a key role in building a connected and collaborative provincial network by:

• Engaging addiction medicine physicians, primary care providers, and interdisciplinary teams
• Facilitating collaboration across health, justice, and community partners
• Supporting knowledge exchange, communities of practice, and shared learning across regions

Collaboration with Provincial Working Groups

• Providing subject-matter leadership across PCN working groups
• Supporting integration across stabilization, inpatient, outpatient, and system enabler workstreams
• Ensuring outputs are clinically aligned, coordinated, and implementable at a provincial level

Quality Improvement and Evaluation

The Co Lead contributes to continuous improvement and system performance by:

• Supporting the development of measurable outcomes and performance indicators
• Contributing to evaluation of patient outcomes and system effectiveness
• Promoting evidence-informed practice, innovation, and continuous learning

Culture and Leadership

The Addictions Medicine Co Lead demonstrates leadership that fosters a collaborative, innovative, and patient-centered culture aligned with the vision and values of the Provincial Clinical Network and the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

The role promotes clinical excellence and accountability by supporting a learning health system approach—encouraging reflection, shared problem-solving, and continuous improvement across teams and partners. Through influence, mentorship, and relationship-building, the Co Lead enables meaningful engagement across disciplines and sectors, supporting a respectful, inclusive, and high-performing environment focused on improving outcomes for individuals and communities.

Scope

Accountabilities:

• Provincial clinical leadership and alignment
• System integration and improvement
• Stakeholder engagement and network development

Not in Scope:

• Operational or program management
• Direct service oversight
• Budget authority

Job Qualifications

Required:

• Licensed physician in Saskatchewan with experience in Addiction Medicine
• Demonstrated expertise in substance use disorder treatment, harm reduction, and care of complex populations
• Experience working in system-level or cross-sector initiatives

Preferred:

• Experience with opioid agonist therapy (OAT)
• Experience across inpatient, emergency, and community addiction services
• Familiarity with provincial substance use trends and system challenges

Leadership Competencies

• Ability to lead through influence in complex systems
• Strong collaboration, engagement, and communication skills
• Commitment to patient-centered care, equity, and system improvement