Telestroke Neurologist, Ontario Telestroke Program

Role title: Telestroke Neurologist, Ontario Telestroke Program

Reports to: Telestroke Clinical Lead, Ontario Telestroke Program, Ontario Health

Location: Virtually within Ontario

Anticipated time commitment: The Telestroke Program operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. On call coverage for the Telestroke Program is provided by two neurologists serving as a primary and one serving as backup. On call shifts are 24 hours in length, from 7 a.m. to 7 a.m. All Telestroke neurologists are expected to take, at minimum, one primary and one backup shifts per month, including both weekdays and weekends.

Term: 1 year with option to renew annually

Number of opportunities: 2

Posting date: July 17, 2025

Closing date: August 7, 2025

Position summary

Ontario Health is seeking expressions of interest from Neurologists with stroke expertise for the position of Telestroke Neurologist, Ontario Telestroke Program. The Ontario Telestroke Program currently has a 25 Telestroke Neurologist roster. Due to natural attrition, Telestroke Neurologists are recruited and onboarded as required to ensure the Program’s mandate and future strategical directions are met.

Reporting to the Clinical Lead, Ontario Telestroke Program, these roles are critical in providing immediate and direct support to clinicians providing care in thirty-five designated Telestroke referring sites in Ontario (urban and rural community-based hospitals). The Ontario Telestroke Program provides local emergency department physicians immediate access to neurologists with expertise in stroke care who can support both the assessment and treatment of patients experiencing acute stroke symptoms including thrombolysis (recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA or TNK) and/or endovascular treatment (EVT).

Telestroke referring sites have a computed tomography (CT) scanner, telemedicine network infrastructure, telemedicine equipment, and protocols but require access to a neurologist with expertise in stroke care to assist with treatment decisions. Consulting Telestroke neurologists can review the results of a patient’s CT scan electronically and “see” a patient at a remote site using live video.

The Ontario Telestroke Program is managed by a collaborative partnership among Ontario Health (Virtual Emergency Services), Ontario Health (CorHealth), and CritiCall Ontario.

Competencies

In support of Ontario Health’s commitment to advancing stroke care, the successful candidates will have the following competencies:

1. Maintains highest level of clinical expertise and demonstrates comfort in providing advice and support across the full spectrum of acute stroke presentations.
2. Holds self and others accountable for the successful execution of activities to achieve the outcomes of the Ontario Telestroke Program.
3. Demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills, communication, situational awareness, and cultural sensitivity.
4. Responds to all requests in a respectful manner.
5. Exhibits strong commitment to interprofessional collaboration; promotes a positive and cooperative environment.
6. Demonstrates proven problem-solving, knowledge exchange and critical thinking skills, including ability to anticipate obstacles and develop an appropriate course of action.
7. Promotes equitable access to stroke services and improve outcomes for vulnerable and marginalized populations, as well as other equity-deserving groups.

Qualifications

1. Practicing neurologist in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, with an FRCPC from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, in Neurology.
2. Have completed a Clinical Stroke Fellowship, have a minimum of two years of clinical experience in Stroke / Vascular Neurology completed within the last 5 years AND currently employed at a centre that performs EVT (i.e., Regional Stroke Centre or Enhanced District Stroke Centre- Clinical)
3. Experience in a leadership role focused on quality and system improvement preferred/an asset.
4. Expert knowledge of current best practices, healthcare literature, and evidence-based guidelines, as it pertains to stroke/vascular neurology.
5. Demonstrated commitment to equitable and person-centred care, as well as public accountability.
6. Experience in medical education, simulation or other relevant coaching scenarios is an asset.
7. Must have access to a quiet, confidential space with computer/broadband access meeting specifications provided.

How to apply

Interested parties should forward a curriculum vitae, electronically, with the subject line as “Application for Telestroke Neurologists – Ontario Telestroke Program [Your Name]” to telestroke@ontariohealth.ca no later than 5:00 pm EST on August 5, 2025.

Questions about the role may be submitted to telestroke@ontariohealth.ca no later than July 28, 2025. A consolidated list of all questions and answers will be available to any party, by request, by August 1, 2025. To receive a copy of the consolidated list of questions and answers, please contact telestroke@ontariohealth.ca.

We will evaluate all applications against the skills and experience requirements for the position. Those candidates selected for interview will be contacted directly by a representative from the Program. Ontario Health may consider applications from incumbents currently in the position. If you have not been contacted within 3 weeks after the close of the posting, you can assume you are not under consideration for this position.

More About Ontario Health

Ontario Health is an agency created by the Government of Ontario with a mandate to connect and coordinate Ontario’s health care system in ways that have not been done before, to help ensure that Ontarians receive the best possible care.

Ontario Health oversees health care delivery across the province, which includes ensuring front-line providers and other health professionals have the tools and information they need to deliver the best possible care within their communities. This also means simplifying the current system and connecting and coordinating its many complex parts in new and innovative ways. This involves keeping a close eye on how the health system is performing and providing evidence-based standards and improvements to address any gaps.

Ontario Health helps to support significant and important transformation in Ontario’s health system, working to ease the transition between points of care for Ontarians and helping to ensure they have access to the care they need. Ontario Health is adapting world-renowned practices from areas such as cancer care and renal care to other parts of the system, including mental health and addiction.

Through integration, coordination, connection, and clinical excellence, Ontario Health is working to reduce strain on the system which will enable investment of more resources on the care Ontarians need, and most importantly, improve health outcomes and overall wellness for all.

As an operational service agency of the Government of Ontario, Ontario Health is accountable for conducting a fair and transparent process, providing equal treatment to all qualified parties, in selecting a candidate for the above-mentioned role.

Our website is at: http://www.ontariohealth.ca