Join our team as a Clinical Terminology Specialist to lead the implementation of Ontario’s Interoperable Enterprise Terminology Strategy. This fully remote role requires 10+ years of experience mapping and deploying standards such as SNOMED CT and LOINC, and deep knowledge of FHIR, Ontoserver, and pan-Canadian digital exchange frameworks. You’ll collaborate with clinical, technical, and policy partners to operationalize terminology tooling, enhance adoption strategies, and align with provincial governance models. Ideal candidates bring healthcare experience in Canadian acute, primary, or community care settings, strong communication skills, and expertise in standards-driven digital health transformation. Support meaningful improvements in Ontario’s digital health ecosystem.

 

Background Information

Ontario Health is seeking to implement the Interoperable Enterprise Terminology Strategy for Ontario to address current gaps and evolving requirements as a result of digital health trends and opportunities for innovative terminology use in Ontario’s digital health and analytical solutions. 

Must haves:

·      Minimum 10 years’ hands-on experience in mapping and implementing clinical terminologies such as SNOMED CT and LOINC

·      Extensive knowledge and understanding of digital exchange standards such as FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources), clinical terminologies (e.g., SNOMED-CT, LOINC) and their application within Ontario Health with applicable terminology tools (e.g., Ontoserver)

·      Clinical experience within Canada in acute care, primary care and/or community care settings

·      Extensive knowledge and understanding of pan-Canadian digital exchange standards and tooling

·      Hands-on experience implementing terminology services and solutions

·      Excellent communication skills both verbal and written, and strong partner engagement skills

·      Time Management, with the ability to manage tight deadlines and prioritize multiple projects

Responsibilities:

 ·      Process mapping, process improvement and operationalizing workflows   

·      Develop and implement strategies, prepares business cases and cost-benefit analysis, and conducts feasibility studies 

·      Conduct requirements gathering, develop documentation, including presentations and briefing notes and conduct partner engagement

·      Work with different partners and subject matter experts from different backgrounds (clinical, business, and technical)

·      Interact with the business partners and subject matter experts in order to understand their requirements through gathering, documenting, and analyzing business needs and requirements

Desired Skills:

·      Proficiency with Microsoft Products, with a preference for candidates that have experience with Microsoft based cloud tools (e.g., Microsoft Office 365).

·      Knowledge of Healthcare Information Systems used throughout the province of Ontario

·      Ability to readily identify, assess and mitigate implementation and adoption issues

·      Excellent analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills; verbal and written communication skills; interpersonal and negotiation skills

·      A team player with a track record for meeting deadlines

Required Skills:

. Terminology standards assessment, selection, development, implementation and maintenance processes including Reference sets/Map sets/Subset development

. Research and analysis

. Communication and collaboration  

. Partner engagement and management

Required Experience / Evaluation Criteria:  

1. Extensive knowledge and implementation experience with clinical data, terminology and technical standards such as SNOMED CT/SNOMED CT-CA, LOINC/pCLOCD, ICD-10-CA, CCI, HL7 v2, HL7 FHIR.: 25 Points
2. Knowledge and experience of the development and implementation of terminology standards such as LOINC and SNOMED CT/SNOMED CT-CA.: 25 Points
3. Experience in developing provincial terminology strategy and implementation plans including engagement with partners to assess and define the proposed model(s).: 10 Points
4. Experience in implementing interoperable digital health solutions, including assessing readiness of existing clinical information systems for collection/submission of standards-based clinical information to the EHR.: 10 Points
5. Knowledge and understanding of the standards lifecycle and the Digital Health standards landscape (Canadian/pan-Canadian, and international standards), and Digital Health initiatives in other jurisdictions (local, regional, provincial) is an asset.: 10 Points
6. Knowledge and strong understanding of jurisdictional electronic health record projects, interoperability services and integration with healthcare initiatives within regional healthcare organizations for clinical data repositories, and other associated healthcare information systems in use within a jurisdiction.: 10 Points
7. Knowledge and experience with the following terminology asset management tools is an asset (e.g., Apelon DTS, Term Works, Ontoserver, Shrimp).: 10 Points

Total Capabilities Evaluation Criteria - 100 Points

Deliverables

Deliverables:

1.      Implement Terminology Management: Ontario Health, through Digital Health Standards (DHS), has responsibility and authority to manage provincially approved terminology standards. This includes terminology standards selection and approval, maintenance and promotion. Effective change management and release management will ensure these standards are up to date, relevant and maximize benefit to the sector

2.      Implement Terminology Value, Literacy & Adoption strategies: Evolve and operationalize understanding the value of terminology standards by clinicians, vendors, health regulators and patients will improve adoption of standardized terminology. Providing a focal point for terminology standards for education materials, source of truth and forms for terminology change requests support awareness of standards and their value

3.      Support implementation of Terminology Technology: Terminology Tooling provides the ability to improve efficiency and accuracy in the use of standardized terminology through lookup, search, map and enhanced cognitive capabilities (e.g. AI)

4.      Data Governance Considerations: Consider and align with Ontario and pan Canadian data governance structures to reflect the Future State for terminology standards and interoperability. This should include reviewing the committee structures and terms of reference, participate to ensure that terminology standards are seen as integral part of data management.

Additional Terms

Term: The term of this position is 90 Business Days.

Ontario Health assets including laptops and related equipment cannot be removed from the province of Ontario without prior written approval from Ontario Health.

The resource will comply with Ontario Health policies and procedures.

Assignment Type: This position is currently listed as "Remote". 

Ontario Health assets including laptops and related equipment cannot be removed from the province of Ontario without prior written approval from Ontario Health.

Knowledge Transfer Details:

•  The resource will ensure full knowledge transfer is provided to the Ontario Health team before end of engagement. Some of this might occur at the end of the engagement but will also be shared as information is obtained/consolidated. Key deliverables will be shared with team.
• The resource must provide all related documentation as part of Knowledge transfer protocol. Documents will be reviewed by the appropriate leads and signed off by manager/director.
• The resource will work collaboratively with the Ontario Health team throughout the assignment and ensure key deliverables, milestones, and documentation are shared.
• A walkthrough of any demos, development, etc. will be required before the end of the engagement.

 

Supplier Comments

MSP Notes

Must Haves:

·        ·      Minimum 10 years’ hands-on experience in mapping and implementing clinical terminologies such as SNOMED CT and LOINC

·        ·      Minimum 10 years’ Extensive knowledge and understanding of digital exchange standards such as FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources), clinical terminologies (e.g., SNOMED-CT, LOINC) and their application within Ontario Health with applicable terminology tools (e.g., Ontoserver)

·        ·      Minimum 10 years’ Clinical experience within Canada in acute care, primary care and/or community care settings

·        Minimum 10 years’ Extensive knowledge and understanding of pan-Canadian digital exchange standards and tooling

 

 

Location: Hybrid – fully remote

Public Sector Experience: Yes