Calgary Eating Disorder Program - Psychiatrist Job Description

RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES

The Calgary Eating Disorder Program (CEDP) is a large multi-disciplinary program providing eating disorder treatment for patients of all ages with moderate to severe illness across three sites. As one of the largest eating disorder programs in North America, it provides a broad range of services across a continuum of care ranging from consultation, outpatient, day treatment and inpatient settings. The multidisciplinary team consists of 15 masters level trained therapists, one clinical supervisor, 3 adolescent medicine physicians, 3 family physicians, 4 dieticians, one dietary tech, one OT, and 3 administrative support staff. There are two child and adolescent psychiatrists working 0.4 and 0.7 respectively, and one part time adult psychiatrist.

The CEDP provides care to approximately 300 individuals with an average care course of 24 months. Most patients are cared for as outpatients and participate in individual treatment and group programming. The intensive day treatment program serves 12 people between the ages of 14-24, in a care model that provides 11 hour/day treatment 5 days/week, for 8 weeks (during non-COVID circumstances); with the core interventions including group therapy, meal support therapy and family therapy. Youth. Youth under 18 requiring hospitalization for medical instability are admitted to a general pediatric ward and receive care jointly from hospitalist pediatricians and CEDP team members, including our psychiatrists. As there are no dedicated inpatient hospital resources for youth, patients with eating disorders are commonly admitted across the Calgary zone in general child and adolescent mental health units. Adults with eating disorders are admitted across the zone as required. Over the next several years, we have a predicted expansion in our services which will include a community inpatient residential setting for youth, and an adult Eating Disorder unit at the Foothills hospital.

The CEDP provides evidence based, best practice treatment in accordance with national and international guidelines and standards. It has strong collaborative partnerships with the University of Calgary and an active research component. It has active partnerships with stakeholders both within AHS and beyond, and the CEDP regularly participates in initiatives to promote awareness, reduce stigma and increase capacity in the community.

The CEDP services a catchment of 2 million people and treats individuals who often require urgent medical attention. Hence, it has developed robust clinical pathways in a case management model which allows for flexibility in responding to urgency and which maintains wait times at a minimum, particularly for the young and most vulnerable patients. Within the current context of the pandemic, demand has exceeded our supply of providers and we are facing growing wait lists which present particular risks for this patient population. There has been a marked increase in admission of ED patients whom require expert care from a limited staff group. Despite the ongoing commitment to modifying

programing to accommodate demand, the CEDP is not able to respond in an optimal robust fashion. This circumstance is highlighting the longstanding need for more psychiatric support.

GOALS FOR CEDP PSYCHIATRIST

Provide psychiatric assessments for youth admitted to unit 4, general pediatrics

Provide ongoing psychiatric care and follow up for patients admitted to unit 4, general pediatrics

Provide psychiatric assessments and follow up for youth presenting as outpatients

Participate in inter-disciplinary collaborations around patient care decisions

Participate in liaison between the CEDP and general pediatric teams

Provide follow up care for patients discharged from unit 4 into day program or outpatient components

Provide care in our day treatment program (group therapy, psychiatric follow up)

Provide education for psychiatric and pediatric residents

Provide education to the interdisciplinary team and the unit 4 team

Provide support and direction to teams caring for ED patients in C/A general psych units

Provide support and direction for our multidisciplinary day hospital team

EXPERTISE REQUIRED

FRCPC qualifications in Psychiatry with accredited training in Child Psychiatry

Particular knowledge of eating disorders: presentations, common comorbidities, common family dynamics

Particular skills in working with malnourished patients (interpersonal technique, psychopharmacological nuances)

Particular skills in supporting/directing families with a child who is diagnosed with an ED

Particular skills in psychotherapeutic approaches to ED patients (specific individual and group modalities)

Particular skills in working in the context of a highly interdisciplinary team: exceptional communication skills, acute knowledge of boundaries, awareness of splitting and other common team dynamics

The candidate must be eligible for licensure with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta.

Must read, write, and speak English.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and Permanent Residents will be given priority.

PHYSICIAN EXPECTATIONS

Perform duties related to patient care (e.g. attend multidisciplinary case management rounds as required, complete new assessments and follow up with patients and their families in ongoing care as part of the broader team approach, participate in day hospital group therapy, engage in regular discussions with team members as needed for patient care)

Be available to respond to team concerns in a timely manner.

Work with the CEDP team to support recovery and aid in transition to program components and to community when appropriate.

Liaise collegially with inpatient and outpatient physicians regarding the status of their patients, as well as with the interdisciplinary team members involved in care.