Colleagues Corner
Colleagues Corner
Meet Horizon’s Physician Recruitment Advisors
What do you know about nurse practitioners? As the largest health care authority in New Brunswick, Horizon is proudly comprised of health care and allied health care professionals from many disciplines. Our patients benefit because we have expertise in every area of health care – from those on the frontline to those behind-the-scenes. WHEN ASKED WHAT THEY LOVE ABOUT THEIR CAREER, HERE’S WHAT A FEW HORIZON NPS HAD TO SAY:
Don’t assume by their brilliant smiles that the task of recruiting physicians is easy; their work is extremely complex and invaluable to the success of our organization. Horizon’s Physician Recruitment Advisors report to the Medical Directors in each region. They are not only responsible for identifying and screening candidates, but are also involved in succession planning, retention and every aspect of our physicians’ lives at Horizon – from immigration, to licensure, to privileges, connecting with key stakeholders, to housing, and transportation. Meet Horizon’s Physician Recruitment Advisors – Debbie Donovan, Darlene Doiron, Denise Coulombe and Hope Kelly.
“Recruitment of physicians is not an easy task,” explainedDr. Édouard Hendriks, Horizon’s Vice President Medical, Academic and Research Affairs. “One needs to be close to communities to understand their needs, to have constant communication with Heads of Clinical Departments to understand their expectations, to be involved in a multitude of ways to connect with potential candidates, to ensure that candidates are aware of our expectations and we of theirs. It demands time and effort.” “Themost difficult part of this job is the negativemedia coverage and social media about the lack of physician recruitment in NewBrunswick,” said Hope. However, anyone who works closely with this group knows that the level of effort, commitment and success that the recruiters have in attracting physicians is extremely high. “Wework collaboratively to ensure a standard of practice throughout Horizon and to foster good communication and collegiality,” said Darlene. It’s also crucial they work as a teambecause many other recruiters and facilities are seeking physicians from the same pool of candidates. “The competition is fierce,” explainedDenise. “We compete with bigger communities, cities, provinces and other facilities from across Canada and the United States.” Despite the difficulties, they are consistently hiring physicians and filling vacancies, year- over-year. And 2020, in particular, has been very successful – even with the global pandemic and all recruitment activities being virtual. In fact, in August 2020, whenmedia highlighted concerns with physician vacancies inNewBrunswick, Horizon’s vacancy rate was only at approximately 4 per cent. “At the end of the day, our goal is a smooth transition for new doctors and their families,” saidDebbie, “and when a doctor opens his door for business – that’s a successful day at the office!” THE CHALLENGES AND SUCCESSES OF RECRUITING PHYSICIANS
In honour of National Nurse Practitioner Week, celebrated each year in November, we’re helping you get to know the nurse practitioner (NP) role.
“The best part of this career is being able to make
Here are 10 things you should know about Horizon NPs:
a positive impact on a patient’s life and health. My patients know that they can come to me with their questions and concerns and I can offer preventative care and help them have healthier lives.”
1. Horizon NPs work in a variety of settings including community health centres, addictions and mental health services, nursing homes, schools and Emergency Departments. 2. They work both in urban and rural settings, from the province’s busiest Emergency Departments to small island communities like Deer Island and Campobello Island. 3. NPs can order, perform, and interpret
- Sara, NP at Horizon’s Chatham Health Centre and Sexual Health Clinic in Miramichi
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diagnostic tests and provide primary health care for patients, including prescriptions and specialist referrals.
“My patients! Feeling as though you’ve made a difference in someone’s life is
4. NPs provide primary health care services to patients and clients of all ages and all walks of life. This includes working with students, seniors, First Nations communities, the homeless and newcomers to Canada. 5. NPs work in collaboration with physicians and other members of the health care team. They help improve access to primary care – helping decrease wait lists and alleviating stress on the health care system. 6. NPs have advanced education and training. They are registered nurses who complete a nurse practitioner program, many of whom obtain a Master’s level university degree. 7. NPs, like all nurses, must complete annual licensing requirements set out by the Nurses Association of New Brunswick. 8. Across Horizon, NPs provide sexual health services to their patients – from pap tests to sexual health services and education to students. 9. NPs take a leadership role in health promotion and illness prevention, providing patients with a complete and effective care plan. 10. It’s been almost 20 years (July 2002) since the Nurses Act was amended in New Brunswick to enable NPs to practice in New Brunswick.
Denise Coulombe began her career with Horizon 17 years ago as the Official Languages Coordinator in the Fredericton area. In this role, she assisted with some translation and communications with many of the French-speaking physicians, so the move to Physician Recruitment Advisor was a perfect fit.
Debbie Donovan, in Miramichi, has been involved with recruiting physicians since she started in 2007, when she worked in an administrative role. When the regional health authorities amalgamated to become Horizon, the need for dedicated resources to physician recruitment increased, and she stepped into Physician Recruitment Advisor shoes.
what it’s all about. I enjoy being a part of a primary health care model where I can meet the patient where they are, in that moment, and help ensure they receive the resources required.” - Keltie, NP at Horizon’s Gibson Health Centre
“The thing I love most about my job is simply having the
ability to help others. I find satisfaction in using the strong communicative skills and practical knowledge RNs acquire at the bedside to inform and guide my practice as a primary care provider. NPs maximize their communicative skillset allowing them to efficiently navigate patient care, build stronger relationships and attain invaluable patient insight.” - Todd, NP at Horizon’s Saint John Sexual Health Centre
Darlene Doiron is in Moncton. In 2008, she started in the Medical Staff Office as the Salaried Physician Coordinator. In 2010, Acting Physician Recruitment Advisor responsibilities were added to her position, and in 2015 she became a Physician Recruitment Advisor.
Hope Kelly has been in her role in Saint John for almost four years. She joined Horizon 14 years ago and soon after became the Privileging Advisor in the local Chief of Staff’s Office, which turned out to be perfect training ground for her current role as Physician Recruitment Advisor.
Want to tell your colleagues about the services you provide for patients and staff throughout Horizon? Email HorizonStar@HorizonNB.ca .
Want to tell your colleagues about the services you provide for patients and staff throughout Horizon? Email HorizonStar@HorizonNB.ca .
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