Medical practice in Nunavut is a cross-cultural mix of emergency and family medicine, and a collaborative practice involving nurses in health centres in three regions spread across 25 remote communities. We will take care of your travel and accommodations, find the position that’s right for you and continue to support you by providing a variety of professional development opportunities.
Some physicians are initially attracted to Nunavut because the rotational nature of the work gives them a great deal of flexibility in their lives—you can travel the world on your time off. However, we find physicians often look to increase their working hours or even set down roots in Nunavut after making friends, integrating into our hospitable communities and adjusting to the pleasant pace of Northern life. We offer generous allowances to help make that transition easier.
If you are a family physician with emergency experience, a sense of adventure, and a desire to make a real difference in our small communities, this is the job for you.
Iqaluit, Hub of the Qikiqtaaluk region
Physicians are well-supported at the Qikiqtani General Hospital in Iqaluit—the largest medical facility in Nunavut and the base of family practice in the Qikiqtaaluk region. This well-equipped 20-bed general hospital is staffed by family practice physicians, specialized anesthetists, pediatricians and a general surgery department. Medical students and pediatric and family medicine residents are also present throughout the academic year.
Family practice physicians can expect variety: this includes ambulatory care clinic work; 9- and 12-hour emergency room shifts; phone support to nurses in remote health centres; community visits; and surgical assists. Physicians may also accompany the occasional medevac to Ottawa. Obstetrical care is provided at the Qikiqtani General Hospital, where more than 400 births take place each year.
Family physicians in Iqaluit work a combination of outpatient clinics, emergency coverage, and/or hospitalist coverage. If you work at the hospital for more than one month, you may have the opportunity to travel to designated communities in the Baffin region to provide healthcare at a community health centre.
Cambridge Bay, Hub of the Kitikmeot region
Cambridge Bay is the administrative centre of the western-most Kitikmeot region. Family physicians provide both outpatient clinics and emergency care, with regular visits to communities. From the regional health centre, physicians are in close contact with nurses in the communities who will refer patients to the physicians. Physicians will also provide antenatal care (but no elective deliveries) and provide support by phone or telehealth to the other health centres. This involves arranging specialty referrals and participating in occasional medevacs.
Patients requiring advanced care are usually referred to Stanton Territorial Hospital in Yellowknife, NWT although circumstances occasionally require transfer directly to Edmonton in Alberta. Kitikmeot family physicians are supported by physicians and other specialists at Stanton.
Rankin Inlet, Hub of the Kivalliq region
Rankin Inlet is the administrative centre of the Kivalliq region and home to its regional health centre. Family physicians provide both outpatient clinics and emergency care, and make regular visits to communities in the Kivalliq, which comprises of communities along the western shore of the Hudson Bay. From the regional health centre, physicians are in close contact with health nurses in communities. Physicians also provide antenatal care (but no elective deliveries) and provide support by phone or telehealth to other health centres, arranging specialty referrals and participating in the occasional medevac.
Patients who need advanced care are referred to hospitals in Churchill or Winnipeg. Physicians based in the Kilvalllq region will benefit from the strong support of Ongomiizwin - Health Services (formerly Northern Medical Unit) at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg.
Students and Residents
Unique and challenging rural and remote healthcare experiences are available for family medicine residents and medical students in Nunavut. We have partnerships with universities across Canada. Learners are based in Qikiqtani General Hospital in Iqaluit with opportunities to work in smaller communities on Baffin Island. Residents will learn all aspects related to practicing full-scope family medicine in remote environments and will develop cultural competence skills to help them work more effectively with Inuit communities. Residents feel supported during their placements at Qikiqtani General Hospital and find the experience valuable. In fact, many residents return to work in Nunavut after graduation.