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First Week to First Year of Practice

  • Clinical and Service Networks
  • Medical Education Services
  • Nova Scotia Health Corporate Priorities
  • Quality Improvement
  • Physician Communications
  • Physician Leadership Development
  • Physician Onboarding
    • First Week to First Year of Practice
  • Physician Recruitment and Retention
  • Privileges and Credentials
  • HAMAC and ZMAC
  • Wellness Portal
  • Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD)
  • Primary Health Care

This page contains the information and resources you'll need to be successful from your first week to your first year of practice. This information is intended to provide some context and guidance. If you're not sure if this information applies to you, or you have additional questions, check in with your local physician leader and they can provide advice and guidance about your specific situation.

In your first week of practice, you might need:

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It support and access graphic
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policies, rules, and bylaws graphic
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Site-specific Information graphic
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emergency colour codes graphic
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Translation and language services graphic
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specialists and services graphic

In your first year of practice, you might need:

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Organizational Info graphic
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Organizational resources graphic
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continuing professional development graphic

First Week of Practice 

IT Support and Access

You will require access to a variety of IT systems and applications depending on your specialty and site. Learn more about gaining access to applications including electronic medical records, medical imaging, client & provider registries, drug information systems, food and nutrition systems, the SHARE Clinical Portal for electronic health records, telehealth, and eScription:

  • Nova Scotia Health IM/IT Supported Applications

Please contact your leader to learn more about the specific IT requirements of your role.


Policies, Rules and Bylaws

You should review and be aware of the some general Nova Scotia Health policies, bylaws, rules, and regulations:

  • Medical Staff Rules and Regulations 
  • Medical Staff Bylaws
  • Hand Hygiene Policy
  • Respectful Workplace Policy
  • Scent Awareness Policy
  • Smoke and Tobacco Reduction Policy
  • Travel Policy

Visit the Nova Scotia Health policy site to browse or search for specific policies. This site contains both clinical and administrative policies for the organization:

  • Nova Scotia Health Policy Site (OP3)

Site-Specific Information

Nova Scotia Health is comprised of a wide variety of facilities, and some of the local things you'll need to set up vary across sites. Key things to ask your leader or site/department administrative assistant on or before your first day on the job are:

  • Parking: Is parking available on site? What does parking cost? Where do I get a parking pass?
  • ID Badge: Do I require an ID badge for this site? Where do I get one? What level of access will I require to certain rooms or buildings?
  • Mailbox: Has a mailbox been set up for me on site? How do I access it?
  • IT Access: Are there local or clinic-specific applications I need to access? How do I set up access / receive training on these?
  • Local Contacts: Is there a list of key specialists to contact? Are there site, department, administrative contacts I should be aware of?

Some site specific information can be found on Nova Scotia Health's public website:

  • Find a location 
  • Map of Nova Scotia Health Hospitals and Health Centres

Emergency Colour Codes

Download the emergency colour codes poster to learn what each code means and what actions you should take when a code is called in your work area:

  • Nova Scotia Health Emergency Colour Codes

Find more information about emergency preparedness on Nova Scotia Health's intranet site:

  • Nova Scotia Health Emergency Preparedness

Note: You will need to log in with your network ID and password to access the intranet (this is the same one you use to access your @nshealth.ca email).


Translation & Language Services

Patients and clients who do not speak English fluently or understand it can access a trained interpreter. They should also be provided with translated print material, where applicable. Language Services are available across Nova Scotia Health.

  • Nova Scotia Health Language Services

Note: You will need to log in with your network ID and password to access the intranet (this is the same one you use to access your @nshealth.ca email).


Specialists and Services

Depending on your specialty and practice, you may need to refer to specialists or access a range of services within your zone and throughout the province. While we do not currently have a master list of all services and specialists province-wide, many clinics and departments/divisions keep local lists, which you can request from your physician leader or department, division, site, or clinic administrative staff.

Find general information about the province's services, surgeons, and wait times:

  • Nova Scotia Wait Times — For Physicians

 Note: You will need to log in with your network ID and password to access the intranet (this is the same one you use to access your @nshealth.ca email).


First Year of Practice

Organizational Information

About Nova Scotia Health

Nova Scotia Health provides health services to Nova Scotians and some specialized services to Atlantic Canadians. We operate hospitals, health centres and community-based programs across the province.

  • Nova Scotia Health Strategic Plan and FAQs
  • Our Values  - Respect, Integrity, Innovation, Courage, Accountability - Watch Videos
  • Nova Scotia Health Physician Leadership Directory
  • Document
    VP Medicine Reporting Structure - February 2 2022.pdf (159.1 KB)

 


Medical Affairs

Medical Affairs, a department within Nova Scotia Health, works as a liaison between physicians, the Nova Scotia Health, and the Nova Scotia provincial government's Department of Health and Wellness. Medical Affairs roles include:

  • Contract Management and Budget Support
  • Physician Recruitment and Retention
  • Physician Resources
  • Physician Leadership Development
  • Medical Education
  • Privileging and Credentialing
  • Physician Communications and Engagement

Nova Scotia Health Medical Affairs News and Information


Department of Family Practice

The Department of Family Practice and Primary Health Care work together to strengthen and support the primary health care system in Nova Scotia. They coordinate the provincial collaborative care model and manage the Find a Family Practice registration list.

The department:

  • Represents more than 1,000 family physicians in Nova Scotia
  • Focuses on topics that are relevant to family physicians and family practice
  • Supports a collaborative approach to primary health care
  • Strengthens communication and relationships between family physicians and specialist colleagues at Nova Scotia Health to improve patient care and access
  • Provides a learning and social network for the family practice community

Contact the Department of Family Practice at familypractice@nshealth.ca or visit their website here


Specialty Departments and Divisions

Many of the specialty departments and divisions within Nova Scotia Health have their own websites with information for clinicians.

Nova Scotia Health Departments A–Z


Dalhousie Faculty of Medicine

Dalhousie University has an affiliation agreement with Nova Scotia Health, which allows both organizations to cooperate and collaborate in their mutual quest to provide excellence in clinical care, train the next generation of health care providers, and conduct research. Some physicians have roles that are jointly appointed to Nova Scotia Health and Dalhousie Faculty of Medicine, with accountabilities to both organizations. Learn more about Dalhousie Faculty of Medicine:

Dalhousie Faculty of Medicine


Department of Health and Wellness

Nova Scotia's Department of Health and Wellness (DHW) is the provincial government department responsible for health care. DHW supports a variety of programs and services that protect and promote health, and treat illness for Nova Scotians and their families.

Department of Health and Wellness


Organizational Resources

The Medical Affairs Department has an email for physicians to write with questions or to find solutions to challenges they experience.

Contact us by clicking here. 


Nova Scotia Health Library Services

Library Services support patient care, staff development and serve as research hubs throughout Nova Scotia. You can access evidence-based content in digital and print formats, literature searching services, borrowing from other libraries and more.

Nova Scotia Health Library Services


Drug Information Portal

Common names for drugs can vary widely across languages and cultures. This resource, created by the US National Library of Medicine, helps by providing a list of synonyms for many drugs.

Drug Information Portal


Nova Scotia Health Physician Leadership Development

Nova Scotia Health supports aspiring, new, and experienced physician leaders with individual and team assessments, targeted education, online learning, one-to-one coaching, and other supports as needed.

Nova Scotia Health Physician Leadership Development


Continuing Professional Development

College of Family Physicians of Canada Continuing Professional Development

The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) is the professional organization responsible for establishing standards for the training, certification and lifelong education of family physicians. he CFPC encourages and supports family physicians in meeting their CPD goals through a variety of programs and services.

CFPC Continuing Professional Development


Nova Scotia Health Continuing Professional Development Resources

The Department of Family Practice supports family physicians in their continuing professional development.

Nova Scotia Health Department of Family Practice


Dalhousie University Continuing Professional Development Resources

Dalhousie University's Faculty of Medicine offers continuing professional development programs in a variety of formats, including conferences, online courses, community-based education, and more.

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Related Documents

Documents:
Nova Scotia Health Colour Codes

Helpful Links

Medical Staff Rules and Regulations

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