Ethics Services Facilitator & Maid Response Advisor

at  Providence Healthcare

Article Flag: Mandatory Vaccination Please Note:
As per the current Public Health Orders (Long Term Care/Seniors Assisted Living Provincial Health Order and the Health Sector Order), as of October 26, 2021, all employees working for Providence Health Care must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Proof of vaccination status will be required.
Summary:
Reporting to the Leader of Ethics Engagement and Medical Assistance in Dying Response Lead, the Ethics Services Facilitator and MAiD Response Advisor (“the Advisor”) brings ethical and clinical expertise to the collaborative work of PHC Ethics Services.
This combined clinical and ethical expertise will provide support for two key aspects of PHC’s Ethics services programming: Ethics Engagement and responding to requests for Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD).
In consultation with the Leader of Ethics Engagement and Medical Assistance in Dying Response Lead, the Advisor assists in engagement activities across the organization. This involves coordinating communications relating to engagement activities, providing informed contributions to ethics programming, and identifying gaps and quality improvement opportunities. In partnership with Ethics Services staff, the Advisor produces various required reports and manages, analyzes, interprets and modifies multiple existing databases.
In consultation with the MAiD Response Leader (MRL), the Advisor also assists in responding to MAiD inquiries and requests from PHC patients, residents, and tenants by managing the intake process, providing practice consultation to teams and requestors, and by organizing and delivering staff education and resources. The Advisor will also provide informed contributions to MAiD-related organizational consultations and reporting requirements by contributing content based on specialized knowledge about ethical principles and MAiD in Canada as it continues to evolve.
Qualifications / Skills and Education:

EDUCATION

A Master’s degree in Ethics, or in a health discipline that supports ethics plus three (3) to five (5) years recent related experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Preference will be given to applicants with an intention to take (or current enrolment in) an Ethics-focused PhD program for the purpose of working as an Ethicist in the future.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Strong foundational knowledge of bioethical principles and their application in a healthcare setting; and speciality training in health care ethics (e.g. course work)
Understanding of Catholic moral tradition and ethics, as expressed in the Health Ethics Guide.
Extensive knowledge/experience working with complex clinical and social dynamics across the continuum of healthcare.
Extensive knowledge of legislation, guidelines, and policies regarding Medical Assistance in Dying.
Demonstrated ability to initiate and maintain collaborative working relationships.
Exceptional ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
Ability to independently analyze and interpret data, work with databases, and translate data analysis into clearly written reports
Demonstrated ability to facilitate and promote collaboration
Resourceful and flexible competence in working both independently and within a team environment.
Well organized with a strong attention to detail
Familiarity with clinical information systems
Physical ability to perform the duties of the position
Duties and Responsibilities:
Leads intake and triaging process for Ethics Services inquiries by assessing level of urgency and required response, and engaging in the appropriate team member for follow-up (e.g. MRL, Ethicists, Ethics Fellow, Physician Ethicist, etc.). Receives calls/emails and provides a timely and professional reply,
Plans and coordinates a range of Ethics engagement activities (e.g. education activities including conferences, seminars and other Ethics engagement events) by preparing budget proposal and costing options, arranging technologies such as online platforms and registration systems to host and manage participants, liaises with speakers and arranges any applicable reimbursements, prepares and disseminates communications about events, prepares and collects evaluation components for events, distributes post-event materials (e.g. completion certifications, etc.).
Organizes and oversees various databases and in collaboration with Ethics Staff, ensures data completeness and accuracy, and submits various required reports (e.g. Society Report, CEO report, VP Mission People Ethics report, PHC/PLS Board sub-committee reports, PHC and PLS Board reports, etc). Reviews various databases, following up with any missing and/or incomplete data, isolating and compiling data relevant to the reporting period, carrying out descriptive statistical analyses on the data, preparing a narrative report that explains the data and analysis including trends and changes, ensures reports are accurate and submitted on time, and ensures reports are disseminated to all relevant and involved parties.
Manages the Ethics team communication and service information infrastructure by writing and submitting news stories and advertising to relevant systems (e.g intranet, internet, PHC news, mailing lists, etc.).
In collaboration with Ethics Services team members, identifies areas of needed education from sources such as the database and feedback form, leads information sessions on Ethics and MAiD-related topics for the entire PHC and PLS community of staff, physicians and trainees including all healthcare students, and members of the public (e.g. at open education events).
Participates in research activities and literature reviews on ethical issues, including MAiD, applies evidence-informed contributions to practice; reports findings to team members and other interested parties.
Participates in communication and consultation with professional groups regarding practice implications of MAiD response legislation, regulations, standards and policies.
Provides process guidance to staff and physicians as they respond to individuals and their families seeking information and clarity about Medical Assistance in Dying at PHC sites (e.g. where to access forms, who to contact at VCH, etc.).
Supports case management for MAiD requests in collaboration with the MRL by updating the applicable database(s) and reports, connecting with clinical teams for process support, answering case-related questions, ensuring Ethics Staff members are updated about any unexpected outcomes, and retaining event info for reporting purposes (e.g. in VP and/or CEO reports).
Facilitates post-MAiD multidisciplinary team debriefs with all health care professionals involved (e.g. physicians, nurses, allied, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring PHC staff and physicians are familiar with MAiD response processes at PHC and know who to contact if anyone has further questions.
With Ethics team members, leads quality improvement reviews, system improvement and risk mitigation responses by identifying generating improvement opportunities on the basis of analysis of various databases, proposing strategies to address the quality need, by implementing the quality measure, and evaluating any changes.
Makes recommendations, in consultation with Ethics Services, Professional Practice, Risk Management & Patient Safety, Medical Affairs and others as appropriate, regarding changes in policies, procedures, or practices.
Participates in other related projects and initiatives, as directed by the Leader or delegate.
Leads and attends internal/external meetings on behalf of service areas on related matters.
Oversees team calendar by ensuring all relevant parties are included in events as needed, and by attempting to remove and/or resolve conflicts (e.g. adjusting meeting times).
Performs other related duties as required

Please refer the Job description for details