Director, Student Health Service

UBC Student Health Service (SHS) offers students a wide range of health services provided by family physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses and specialists. The Director is responsible for strategic and operational leadership including the planning, development, implementation, evaluation, improvement, management and administration of SHS at the Vancouver Campus, to ensure alignment with institutional goals, strategic plans, and the mission, vision, and values of the portfolio and UBC. The Director oversees clinical and administrative leadership and staff within SHS, and collaborates with other leaders in Student Health and Wellbeing (SHW) on strategic planning and implementation of SHW integrated services.

The Director enacts a commitment to anti-racism, equity, diversity, inclusion and decolonized practice through continued service level development, innovations and improvement. The Director will ensure current knowledge of trends, research, and best/wise and innovative practices for SHS and programming. The Director will pursue research opportunities with the practitioners and academic community to further practice for service and program deliverability.

Organizational Status
Reporting to the Associate Vice President, Student Health, the Director is responsible for all SHS, and for working collaboratively with SHW leaders on specific unit wide projects or programs. The Director works closely with students, faculty, and staff to provide advice and direction in the areas of SHS and campus wide health literacy and education. The Director builds relationships and partnerships across SHW, with UBC Faculties and Programs, regional and provincial health authorities, and external organizations. The Director develops and maintains effective contacts with other college and university student health centers, community groups and professional organizations.

Work Performed

• Provides overall leadership and strategic direction with the clinical involvement of the Physician Lead and Associate Director, Nurse Practitioner, to develop the departmental vision, goals, priorities, objectives, policies, and procedures as well as integrated SHW plans.
• Develops a strategic plan to support unit goals and to build and sustain a collaborative, respectful and effective leadership team. Integrates the units of the department and develops strong working relationships between staff for effective delivery of student health services.
• Provides evidence-based leadership in the innovative design and delivery of services and programs, addressing the changing needs and diversity of the campus, and integrated SHW services. Evaluates trends and recommends, advocates, develops and initiates responsive and proactive changes within the department, and evaluates and improves programs and services.
• Ensures that services are provided in ways that are sensitive and responsive to the broad range of diversity within the student population including, but not limited to, gender, race, culture, ability, and sexual orientation.
• Introduces new policies and procedures supporting the wellbeing of students, the mandate of the units, and the mission of the University, via participation on, and chairing committees as requested, addressing unit or institutional policy issues; contributing experience, written reports, proposals or briefings, and participating in deliberations and decisions regarding forwarding such policy papers to the Associate Vice President, Student Health VP Students, or to the President, Senate and/or Board as requested.
• Monitors and ensures that current and changing legal, ethical and professional standards of practice/codes are met by all SHS staff and trainees, and that all aspects of service operate within appropriate provincial and federal health and safety legislation and guidelines; complying with relevant College and Ministry guidelines.
• Monitors problem areas within the department and initiates or delegates the initiation of remedial interventions at a personal-individual or organizational-system level. Develops, implements and manages risk assessment and mitigation, and leads the development of Emergency Response Protocols.
• Oversees the development and implementation of marketing strategies to increase awareness of the range of services and programs available.
• Oversees patient complaint resolution process related to SHS concerns, working with the Physician Lead others leaders as necessary
• Performs other duties as required

Internal/External Relations

• Facilitates the development of partnerships with Faculties, as well as the First Nations House of Learning and other key programs across UBC, regarding student health issues, services and research.
• Manages communication and works closely with the regional health authorities, and other agencies, advocating for services and/or funding models and programs that support the health and wellness needs of students.
• Works with the Director of Finance, Associate Director, Operations and others as identified, to plan and oversee SHS finances, and SHW finances as requested. Responsible for the effective financial management of allocated resources including preparing the annual budget, approving and monitoring expenditure, setting fees for some services, and ensuring that appropriate procedures are implemented to track financial transactions.
• Ensures the accreditation process for all services to meet professional accreditation requirements and ensure appropriate continuing professional development of staff

Human Resources

• Plans strategically for, and defines the human resource requirements and organizational structure for the service including the methods and techniques of work, the work assignments, duties and responsibilities of positions and the classifications and qualifications of positions as well as other management rights contained in appropriate collective agreements.
• Accountable for the recruitment process including hiring, layoff, demotions, creating and eliminating positions for SHS, in partnership with the Physician Lead and Associate Directors and other SHS leaders. Identifies staffing needs to ensure services are provided safely, efficiently, effectively and appropriately. Overall responsibility for directly or indirectly managing over 70 staff in 3 or more spaces on campus
• Proactively provides feedback and support to all direct reports on performance and career development. Provides opportunity for career advancement, learning and growth including training and professional development for SHS staff.
• Addresses performance issues with SHS staff, and supports the Physician Lead and others when a performance issue is escalated. Manages disciplinary matters between staff and provides leadership and guidance when conflicts occur.

Information Systems

• Participates in the development and monitoring of an appropriate integrated electronic health information system, including new technology implementation, customs applications, and training needs. Promotes the effective, safe, appropriate and confidential use of the electronic health information system and follows up on audit results or other reports indicating inappropriate use, or misuse, of such systems, by any SHS staff.
• Works with the Operations team, electronic medical records support staff and UBC IT staff to ensure that the IT systems are operating efficiently and meeting the needs of SHS and the integrated SHW program.

Professional Development

• Attends professional development conferences and workshops, and keeps abreast of knowledge related to best practice and trends in student and youth health and wellness and their implications for SHW overall and its intersection with relevant issues. Provide staff with information regarding current trends and issues within the community.
• Participates in relevant professional associations including the Canadian Association of College and University Student Services (CACUSS) and the Canadian College of Health Leaders (CCHL).

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Must exercise judgement based upon a thorough knowledge of procedures, guidelines and regulations. Errors in judgement may cause serious results and/or harm to students or staff, reduce service, cause embarrassment and lose credibility. This position represents the University, the students and SHW. The position has access to sensitive and confidential information, the untimely or inappropriate release of which could cause acute embarrassment to the University, as well as litigation. Incorrect decisions/ judgement will directly affect the UBC's reputation with the employer, health authorities, community and faculty, staff, alumni, and students. Incorrect decisions would have impact on the health services offered to students, the operations of the programs, and the reputation of the unit and the University.

Supervision Received
Reports to the Associate Vice President, Student Health. Works independently. Work is reviewed for achievement of goals and objectives, soundness of judgment and quality, effectiveness and appropriateness of work.

Supervision Given
Provides leadership including direct or indirect management and supervision to all staff within SHS at the UBC Vancouver Campus. Directly supervises the Physician Lead, Associate Directors of Nurse Practitioners, Operations and Collaborative Practice), Nursing Lead, and Administrative Coordinator.. Supervises staff by providing guidance and mentorship, ensuring the appropriateness and currency of job responsibilities, initiating recruitment for temporary and continuing staff, hiring, disciplining and terminating staff, providing or directing the provision of training and development, evaluating performance, approving leaves of absence, and responding to complaints, concerns and grievances.

Minimum Qualifications
Master’s degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of ten years of related experience with experience in area of specialisation, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own
- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Master of Health Administration or Business Administration, or equivalent combination of training and experience preferred.
• Experience in leadership, human resources, and reporting. Experience within a health care environment including experience working in a primary care setting or equivalent patient care environment is preferred.
• Experience with developing and interpreting policies and procedures. Ability to work cooperatively in a team environment and to work effectively with all levels of University personnel and external organizations and government bodies.
• Strong knowledge of provincial health legislation, administrative processes and systems.
• Ability to supervise and manage a multidisciplinary staff. Experience building and leading a high-functioning successful, inclusive work team.
• Experience working with faculty, staff and students in a post-secondary institution would be an asset. Ability to manage multiple priorities and juggle complex tasks.
• Proven track record meeting critical deadlines under considerable pressure in a busy environment.
• Ability to exercise initiative, tact and discretion.
• Proven sensibility and appreciation of the role that indigeneity, gender, race, disability, gender identity, sexuality, social background play in the experience of health, wellbeing, and health promotion and education in a university setting.
• Demonstration of commitment to social justice, inclusion, diversity, and health equity.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to work under pressure. Proficiency in the use of computer operating systems and communications technologies in a network environment.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills. Excellent interpersonal skills.