Information Access and Privacy Specialist

**Company Bio**

• Southlake is building healthy communities through outstanding care, innovative partnerships, and amazing people. We deliver a wide range of healthcare services to the communities of northern York Region and southern Simcoe County. Our advanced regional programs include Cancer Care and Cardiac Care and serve a broader population across the northern GTA and into Simcoe-Muskoka._
• Our team of nearly 6,000 staff, physicians, volunteers, students and Patient and Family Advisors are committed to creating an environment where the best experiences happen. As a recognition of our commitment to quality and patient safety, we have received the highest distinction of Exemplary Standing from Accreditation Canada._

**Job Summary**

Southlake Regional Health Centre (“Southlake”) is looking for an experienced professional to fill the role of Information Access and Privacy Specialist (“Specialist”) in our Quality, Risk, Patient Experience, and Privacy Portfolio. At Southlake, we strive to serve with purpose, and we recognize that patients’ personal health information (“PHI”) deserves to be treated with respect and sensitivity. We take great care in protecting patients’ PHI and promoting a culture of privacy.

As a key member of the Quality, Risk, Patient Experience and Privacy portfolio, the Specialist will assist in ensuring organizational compliance with privacy legislation.

**Qualifications**

• University degree in a related field (e.g. health sciences, information management, business, library sciences, public or health administration) or equivalent education and experience.
• Strong interest in privacy and access policies, with awareness of current trends and legislative reforms
• Canadian certification with the International Association of Privacy Professionals (CIPP/C) or an equivalent credential is an asset.
• Experience with privacy/FOI responsibilities, including interpreting legislation and implementing related programs in a healthcare setting
• Experience in driving and executing compliance and ethics programs (as it relates to privacy and FOI) and are knowledgeable in process management, analysis, operational improvement, and risk management. Knowledge of (or willingness to learn) risk management theory, process, and tools in a healthcare environment is an asset.
• Has initiative and is able to effectively manage multiple tasks/assignments with continuously changing priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Effective at building relationships and gaining credibility with various stakeholder groups.
• Detail-oriented and with excellent analytical, evaluation, and critical thinking skills to investigate requests, complaints, and issues and to provide expertise and recommendations.
• Demonstrated proficiency using Microsoft Office Suite of Products.

**Closing Statement**

**_ Regular and reliable attendance is an expected requirement of this position._**

At Southlake, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible environment. We are dedicated to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community in which we live and serve, including those with disabilities. Southlake is committed to providing accommodations in all parts of the hiring process. If you require an accommodation, we will work with you to meet your needs.

It is the responsibility of all Southlake employees to work in a safe manner and promote health and safety in the workplace.

**Primary Responsibilities**

The Specialist an important member of this team and the organization and will promote and pursue the adoption of relevant best practices and standards and provide formal and informal analyses to a variety of stakeholders. The Specialist will have a considerable degree of interaction with a variety of internal and external stakeholders, including project managers, vendors, consultants, government and regulatory bodies, expert peers in the healthcare field, clinicians, patients, and members of the public. Leadership and communication skills are critical in this role to build credibility and trust and to accomplish goals with the assistance of internal and external teams. Specifically, the specialist will be expected to:

• Assist in the implementation and improvement of a comprehensive privacy program in a complex healthcare environment, promoting awareness and understanding of privacy and FOI concepts across all hospital areas;
• Develops and oversees processes for addressing privacy complaints and inquiries, investigating breaches and recommending correct actions;
• Assist in the implementation of operational compliance programs (e.g. auditing and research-related, matters), and monitoring activities;
• Develops and maintains a statistical framework for tracking all access and privacy requests and prepares annual privacy and freedom of information reports;
• Contributes to the development and administration of Southlake privacy and FOI, policies and procedure