Program Assistant, Research Support Service

at  PHSA

PROGRAM ASSISTANT, RESEARCH SUPPORT SERVICE

Children’s & Women’s Health Center
Vancouver, BC
In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of PHSA, safety, including both patient and employee safety, is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA. As such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.
The Program Assistant reports to a Director and serves as a vital linkage and communication source to keep the program/department informed and aligned to its priorities. The position is accountable for providing confidential administrative and secretarial support for a program/department, following administrative policies and procedures and organizes the day-to-day administrative operations to ensure accurate and timely delivery of administrative services. Coordinates the flow of information, maintains the integrity and confidentiality of all information which flows through, communicates internally and externally to respond to inquires and clarify details, coordinates appointments and meetings, attends and records management meetings, arranges travel and accommodation, coordinates meeting logistics, submits HR and Finance information, and maintains office equipment and supplies. Designs, creates and maintains correspondence, documents, presentations, orientation packages, and spreadsheets (including data entry) for authorization by the management team; processes confidential and sensitive documents. The Program Assistant supports leadership in setting a positive, collaborative, efficient tone for the program/department.

WHAT YOU BRING

Qualifications

• A level of education, training and experience equivalent to Grade 12 plus graduation from a formal secretarial program plus three (3) years recent related experience.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively, resolve administrative issues/problems, prioritize workload, and to be flexible to meet and adapt to changes in organizational priorities. Demonstrated ability to use Microsoft Office applications, including word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software, at an intermediate level. Demonstrated organizational skills and ability to prioritize workload and work under time pressures to meet deadlines. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, including the ability to respond professionally, courteously, and in a clear manner. Demonstrated interpersonal and time management skills. Demonstrated ability to record and transcribe minutes of meetings.
• Ability to type 60 words per minute.

Skills & Knowledge

• Commitment to upholding the shared responsibility of creating lasting and meaningful reconciliation in Canada as per TRC (2015) and BC’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019).
• As a strong asset for consideration, we are looking for our successful candidate to have: Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (The Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.).

WHAT WE DO

The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Cultivate partnerships – Serve with purpose.
Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services
PHSA is committed to equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently marginalized groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.
One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya’kula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at indigenous.employment@phsa.ca.
Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and marginalization faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and self-determination of Indigenous communities. PHSA must uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents such as including Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study.

• Responds to verbal and written communication and liaises internally and externally to respond to, share information, clarify details, and ensure follow-up by relevant personnel on emergent issues. Discusses inquiries for information with a variety of internal and external contacts in order to obtain and disclose information. Effectively triages visitors, telephone calls, correspondence and incoming materials by screening and prioritizing for immediate attention, distributing as appropriate, taking and relaying messages, and directing visitors.
• Prepares and updates various documents such as reports, correspondence, presentation materials, spreadsheets, and website materials in an accurate and timely manner including material that is confidential or sensitive in nature. Utilizes a variety of software applications to ensure professional standards are maintained, relevant and current data is used and end product is appropriately and professionally formatted. Enters and collects data, and compiles relevant statistical information and reports.
• Maintains a consistently updated and accurate meeting schedule for the program/department as required. Coordinates meetings ensuring well-defined and timely agendas, identification of and notification to interested parties, compilation of background information and supporting materials and preparation of packages/summary documents and meeting facilitation. Coordinates administrative meeting logistics and makes catering, travel and accommodation arrangements. Attends and acts as a recorder for confidential meetings such as management meetings and follows-up on action items and in-services as required.
• Authorizes expense reimbursements and invoices up to a pre-determined limit, and utilizes an expenditure tracking system to ensure expenditures and invoices are authorized and processed in a timely and accurate manner. Completes purchase requisitions/online purchasing and forwards for processing, and ensures invoices are authorized for payment and submitted for payment. . Ensures appropriate supplies and support materials are available and equipment is in working order. Coordinates and standardizes the implementation of technology (new and existing) within the program.
• Completes and submits eForms for designated Leaders; processes timekeeping for assigned staff; and liaises with Finance, Payroll and Human Resources as necessary.
• Initiates follow-up processes with staff and others. Resolves day-to-day problems as required, evaluates operating procedures, and advises management as necessary. Provides assistance on projects by collecting data requiring the evaluation and determination of available sources. Actively participates in team meetings and provides input to new policies, processes, quality improvement activities, and the development of strategies.
• BCCHR faculty recruitment initiatives
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• Scheduling committee meetings (polling, booking rooms/ zoom, reminders, etc)

• Supporting recruitment site visits – scheduling, flight bookings, hotels, all administrative tasks related
• Onsite support as needed for all faculty recruitment
• Onsite support for events (catering, event set up & take down, greeting guests, etc)
• Other assistance as required by the Executive Coordinator
• Research Services
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• IGAP progress review meeting – scheduling with ADRC and the award holder

• IGAP external review – scheduling and emailing with external review committee members.
• IGAP reviews – minute taking.
• Credit Reconciliation for Research Education CC, and Research Services CC
• Events support – onsite support events as needed, e.g. Mentorship, additional help for larger initiatives e.g. SSRP, Celebration events, etc.
• Executive Office
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• Minute taking

• Scheduling