Health Services Systems

Location
Toronto, ON
 
Full job description
Job Purpose

The Theme Lead Health Services Systems is responsible for developing a strategy to incorporate their theme into the curriculum, including overseeing the development, implementation, and continuous quality improvement of key foundational themes within the MD program curriculum at the York University School of Medicine (YUSOM).

Four themes, Foundational Sciences, Health Services Systems, Equity, Diversity Inclusion (EDI) Practices, and Indigenous Ways of Knowing Doing, are woven throughout the three years of the curriculum. For the Health Services Systems theme, the learners will learn about the health system as a collection of organizations, people and resources that work to promote, restore, or maintain health, while understanding health services as actions that contribute to improved health, such as diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation.

To support course delivery and alignment with the broader MD curriculum and competency-based medical education (CBME) and accreditation standards, the Theme Lead will work collaboratively with course leads, Indigenous Health Lead, Black Health Lead, Disability Health Lead, Interprofessional Lead, assessment and program evaluation leads, case-based learning (CBL) leads, accreditation specialists, faculty development lead and student accommodation services.

The curriculum will be designed to align with the vision of York University and the YUSOM; national and provincial accreditation standards, and the university’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).

Overview of MD Program at the York School of Medicine (YUSOM)

The proposed Doctor of Medicine (MD) curriculum at YUSOM is a three-year, competency-based program designed to prepare clinically competent, socially responsible, and adaptable physicians.

Grounded in experiential, integrated and community-based learning, the curriculum aims to align with national and international best practices, emphasizing the evolving role of physicians in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape. Learning will be largely case-based and active, with minimal reliance on traditional lectures.

The curriculum is structured into three courses (Generalist Health Care (GHC), Emerging Concepts and Innovations in Health Care (ECIH) and Becoming a Professional (BAP)) across all three years of the program. Year 1 establishes a strong foundation in biomedical, clinical, social, and behavioral sciences while integrating early patient care exposure and community-based experiential learning. Year 2 replaces traditional clerkship with a Longitudinal Integrated Clinical Learning Experience (LICLE), offering both urban and rural streams that immerse students in primary and specialty care while fostering continuity in patient interactions. Year 3 focuses on career development through electives, advanced clinical reasoning, and a capstone experience designed to support the transition to residency.

Throughout all years, students will engage with core themes such as foundational sciences, health services systems, equity, diversity and inclusion, and Indigenous ways of knowing and doing.

Assessment is competency-based. The curriculum includes structured wellness breaks and dedicated self-directed learning time to promote student well-being. With a strong emphasis on primary and generalist care, community health, interprofessional care, and innovations in healthcare delivery, YUSOM's MD program is designed to graduate physicians equipped to meet the evolving needs of diverse populations in Canada and beyond.


Job Responsibilities

General responsibilities:

Develop and implement a curriculum map to integrate the theme across all years of the MD program.

Work with course leads (GHC1,2,3, ECIH, BAP) and other theme leads to ensure vertical, horizontal and spiralled curriculum integration and progression across the program.

Collaborate with Program leads for Indigenous Health, Black Health, and Disability Health to embed equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) principles and integrate culturally relevant content throughout the curriculum and learner education processes.

Collaborate with the Assessment Lead to co-develop integrated assessments across learning modalities.

Support the development of small-group learning (SGL), project-based learning, large-group learning (LGL) and clinical experiences related to the theme.

Collaborate with York University, YUSOM and MD Program leaders to support learner accommodation learning plans.

Liaise with the relevant MD program leads to support remediation processes for learners requiring additional educational support.

Contribute to the continuous quality improvement (CQI) processes for their theme, utilizing data from assessment and program evaluation to enhance the curriculum.

Report to the MD Program Curriculum Committee on compliance and areas for improvement in learning within their relevant theme.

Ensure the learner educational experience is compliant with Program accreditation standards, program outcomes, and best practices in medical education.

Consult and collaborate with leaders in the YUSOM to ensure delivery of a safe, inclusive, supportive and equitable learning environment for all learners, faculty, contributors and staff in all course learning modules or sessions.


Theme Specific responsibilities:

Guide the integration of health systems, policy, and service delivery models into the MD curriculum.

Work with relevant MD Program course leads to ensure learners engage with real-world healthcare system challenges in clinical and community-based learning.

Collaborate with the ECIH course lead to integrate concepts of health policy, interprofessional collaboration and healthcare system reform.

Collaborate with Assessment Leads to co-develop assessments related to system-based practice, healthcare leadership and health equity.


Qualifications

Minimum Education, Training Credentials

MD or PhD, or Master's degree in health systems, public health, healthcare administration or a related field, with experience in health policy or healthcare delivery preferred.

Minimum Experience

General:

Experience in curriculum design and development, competency-based education, and the creation of interdisciplinary learning models.

Experience in learner/resident/physician affairs, professional wellness, and faculty development is an asset.

Familiarity with postgraduate medical education (PGME) and clinical learning is preferred.

Knowledge and awareness of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) principles in medical education is preferred.

Experience designing, implementing and evaluating longitudinal learning programs in medical education.

Experience with service-learning and Quality Improvement


Health Services Systems (HSS) Theme Lead:

Experience in healthcare systems, policy development, health service delivery or public health.

Prior involvement in interprofessional education, health equity and integration of health systems thinking into medical education preferred.

Knowledge

Understanding of CBME principles and their application in professional identity development.

Knowledge of medical education, the medical profession and ethical decision-making in healthcare.

Knowledge and application of Quality Improvement processes

Expertise in narrative-based assessment, small-group evaluation, and project-based learning.

Knowledge of equity, diversity, and inclusion principles, Indigenous health perspectives, and culturally responsive teaching.

Knowledge of processes to ensure safe, inclusive, equitable learning environments


Skills

Strong leadership and collaboration skills to engage faculty, learners, staff and other interested parties.

Excellent verbal and written communication and problem-solving abilities.

Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic academic environment.

Strong organizational skills to oversee curriculum development, assessment frameworks and faculty development initiatives.


The University welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, including, but not limited to women, persons with disabilities, visible minorities (racialized), Indigenous Peoples and persons of any gender identity and sexual orientation. York University is committed to a positive, supportive and inclusive environment.

York University offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities in its recruitment processes. If you are contacted by York University regarding a job opportunity or testing, please advise if you require accommodation.

We are committed to enhancing our environmentally and socially responsible practices for the benefit of all members of the York community. Our long term perspective recognizes our responsibility to be innovators and to continually work as a community to reduce our ecological impact.

York University employees must apply to jobs through the Employee Career Portal - YU Hire. If you are a current York University employee and/or are using your rights under a collective agreement to view and/or apply to jobs, you MUST log into YU Hire to access the York University Employee Career Portal.

PLEASE NOTE: This job posting is for an existing vacancy. Applications must be received by 11:55 pm EST on the posted deadline date, if applicable. Posting deadlines can be updated, or modified, at any time based on hiring needs. Please refer to the York U Career Portal when confirming posting deadlines.

  Read more