Overview

As a member of the military, Medical Officers provide primary health care services for Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members, whether at a Canadian Forces Health Services Clinic or overseas in support of peace support, combat or humanitarian missions.

Responsibilities

- Lead a clinical team of highly trained professionals
- Promote health protection and education
- Provide primary health care
- Promote occupational health and safety
- Provide medical support to operations
- Practice environmental medicine, including aviation and hyperbaric medicine (following additional training)

Work Workplace

Medical Officers may serve anywhere that CAF members are based. They work in fully equipped medical clinics, whether at a base or garrison, or in a temporary clinic while supporting operations. Their first four years following training are usually spent working in one location, within Canada. Office space and support services are provided by the CAF. If you choose a career in the Regular Force, upon completion of all required training, you will be assigned to your first base. While there is some flexibility with regards to postings (relocations), accommodations can’t always be made, and therefore you can likely expect to move at some point in your career. If you decide to join the Primary Reserve Force, you will do so through a specific reserve unit. Outside of training, your chosen reserve unit will be your workplace on a part‑time basis, and you will not be obligated to relocate to a different base.

Entry Plans

- Direct Entry Options
- Paid Education Options

If you already have a medical degree and an unrestricted licence to practice family medicine in a Canadian province or territory, the CAF may place you directly into one of the military clinics following basic training. Basic training and military officer qualification training are required before being assigned. The Specialist Officer Training Plan (SOTP) allows successful recruits to complete a recognized Canadian University Medical program.



This program covers tuition fees and educational expenses, including books, instruments, supplies, student fees, and registration costs. Family medicine residents and students already enrolled in a recognized Canadian University Medical program may also be eligible for this training plan. For the duration of your studies and residency, you receive a full‑time salary including medical and dental care, as well as vacation time with full‑pay in exchange for working with the CAF for a period of time.

Training

At the first available opportunity, you will complete Basic Military Officer Qualification training at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint‑Jean‑sur‑Richelieu, Quebec. Medical Officers take the Condensed Health Services Basic Military Officer Qualification Training, which consists of two weeks of distance learning and four weeks of in‑house training. Topics covered include general military knowledge, the principles of leadership, regulations and customs of the Forces, basic weapons handling, and first aid. A vigorous physical fitness program is also a vital part of basic training.

Medical Officers must complete the Common Health Services Officer (CHSO) course, an eight‑day e‑learning course. The CHSO course introduces Medical Officers to CAF policies and procedures as well as HR management of military members and civilian personnel. Medical Officers attend the Basic Medical Officer Course at the Canadian Forces Health Services Training Center in Borden, Ontario.

Medical Officers may apply for the opportunity to specialise their medical practice in exchange for additional years of service.



The CAF subsidises the following medical specialisations:

- Emergency medicine
- General surgery
- Orthopaedic surgery
- Anaesthesiology
- Internal medicine
- Psychiatry
- Radiology
- Physical medicine and rehabilitation

As they progress in their career, Medical Officers may be offered advanced training in public health medicine, occupational medicine, aerospace medicine, hyperbaric medicine, tropical medicine, epidemiology, and health care administration.

Part‑Time Options

The Canadian Forces Health Services Reserves provide trained personnel to support, augment and sustain CAF health services organisations for operations and training activities. A health‑care professional in the Reserves must have an unrestricted licence to practice in their clinical field and must maintain clinical currency within their civilian workplace. The position is available for part‑time employment with the Primary Reserve at certain locations across Canada. Reserve Force members are paid during training and are not required to relocate, although they may volunteer for deployment on a military mission.

Medical Officers may serve with the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army or the Royal Canadian Air Force as part of the Canadian Forces Health Services Group. Those employed on a part‑time or casual full‑time basis usually serve at a military medical unit within Canada.

Reserve Medical Officers are required to complete a minimum of 14 days of service and/or training each year, including acquiring and maintaining military skills, providing health care to military members, teaching, or attending field exercises.

Opportunities for physicians already licensed to practice medicine in the following areas are available (subject to recruitment needs):

- Anesthesiology
- Emergency Medicine
- General Surgery
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Internal Medicine
- Pediatrics
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Radiology
- Plastic Surgery
- Thoracic Surgery
- Neurosurgery

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📌 Medical Officer (Surrey)
🏢 Canadian Armed Forces | Forces armées canadiennes
📍 Surrey