Clinical Ethicist

Detailed Overview

Supporting the Vision, Values, Purpose and Commitments of Fraser Health including service delivery that is centered around patients/clients/residents and families: The Clinical Ethicist acts as an expert resource, responsible for contributing to the ethics capacity and supporting ethics needs of Fraser Health. This position works collaboratively with Ethics team members to build capacity, promote and advance ethical decision-making, and provide clinical ethics consultation services and ethics analysis across the health care continuum within the Fraser Health region. The Clinical Ethicist works in close collaboration with physicians, staff and community, including other health authority Ethics teams, to develop a strong network of partnerships within the organization and beyond. Responsibilities Conducts and facilitates ethics consultations, in-person and virtually, according to Fraser Health Ethics Services’ (FHES) practice standards to address ethical issues pertaining to patient care, including situations of moral conflict, and distress. Provides ethics support within the clinical environment including attending ethics huddles, rounds, and patient care meetings. Works with ethics champions across the region to help the champions know when and how to promote clinical ethics consultation services in the champion’s area of work; mentors ethics champions to use their ethical decision-making skills in their areas of work. Plans, coordinates, and delivers education, training, and coaching for dealing with ethically challenging issues in general, the process of ethics consultation, ethical decision-making, and the development of ethics resources within a team, unit, program, institution, or community to build capacity and advance ethical decision-making. Provides content expertise in ethical decision-making by bringing values-based critical thinking, analysis and decision-making to support Fraser Health. Collaborates with other Ethicists and other FHES team members to meet departmental objectives in the areas of ethics education and training, system level ethics consultation, and leadership support. Contributes to the research and publications work for the department. Collaborates with various practice councils to integrate ethics decision tools throughout various disciplines. Represents Fraser Health and Ethics Services at various events including educational forums, professional associations, regulatory bodies, and external committees, as required. Performs other related duties as required. Qualifications QUALIFICATIONS: Doctoral Degree in Ethics, Philosophy or Moral Theology, or a terminal degree in a vocation related to bioethics (medicine, nursing, law, social work, etc.) and a master’s level degree in bioethics. A clinical ethics fellowship or internship is an asset. Documented three to five years’ experience providing clinical ethics consultation in a complex health care environment. Or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. COMPETENCIES: Demonstrates the leadership practices of the Fraser Health Leadership Framework of Clear, Caring and Courageous and creates the conditions for people to succeed. Professional/Technical Capabilities Demonstrates high quality and differentiated understanding of principle-based, contextual and other contemporary ethics approach. Formulates recommendations based on systematic analyses of ethical dilemmas and considering the interdependence of organizational systems and stakeholders. Demonstrated knowledge in conducting literature searches and reviews. Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. Demonstrated ability to consult, plan, implement, organize, and problem solve. Demonstrated ability to collaborate and deal with senior staff regarding sensitive and confidential issues. Working knowledge of applicable legislation and regulations. Demonstrated ability to exercise initiative and work both independently and in a team environment. Ability to operate related equipment.

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