Overview
As a member of the military, Medical Officers provide primary health care services for Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members at Canadian Forces Health Services Clinics 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 Setting
Medical Officers may serve anywhere CAF members are based. They work in fully equipped medical clinics at bases, garrisons, or temporary clinics during operations. The first four years following training are usually spent in one location, within Canada. Base assignments vary with possible relocations. When joined through the Primary Reserve Force, duties are part‑time, typically one night per week and some weekends, with the possibility of full‑time employment.

Entry Plans
Direct Entry Options: applicants with a medical degree and an unrestricted licence to practice family medicine in a Canadian province or territory may be placed directly into a military clinic following basic training.

Paid Education Options: The CAF provides a Medical Officer Training Plan (MOTP) that pays recruits to complete a recognized Canadian University Medical program.



The plan covers tuition, books, instruments, supplies, student fees, and registration costs. Candidates selected for the program receive a full‑time salary, medical and dental care, and vacation time while working with the CAF.

Training
Initial training includes Basic Military Officer Qualification, Condensed Health Services training, and the Common Health Services Officer (CHSO) e‑learning course. Medical Officers attend the Basic Medical Officer Course at the Canadian Forces Health Services Training Center. Afterward, they may apply for subspecialization with subsidised training in Emergency Medicine, General Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, Anaesthesiology, Internal Medicine, Psychiatry, Radiology, and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Advanced training opportunities include Public Health Medicine, Occupational Medicine, Aerospace Medicine, Hyperbaric Medicine, Tropical Medicine, Epidemiology, and Health Care Administration.

Part‑time Options
Physicians already licensed in various specialties can join the Primary Reserve. They serve part‑time, usually one night per week or some weekends, with the option to volunteer for deployment. Reserve Members complete the same basic training as Regular Force counterparts and are paid 92.8% of regular rates.

Related Careers

Pharmacy Officer

Bioscience Officer

Dental Officer

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