Community Engagement Specialist

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Manager, Community Engagement, the Community Engagement Specialist is responsible for assisting in the effective implementation of the Home and Community Care Support Services Community Engagement Framework and supporting effective and meaningful engagement of patients, individuals with lived experience, caregivers and family members in the development of a high quality home and community care.

The role will be accountable for patient, family and community engagement efforts, and will work in partnership and collaboratively with the Community Engagement team, Home and Community Care Support Services portfolios and system partners to develop and implement a regional engagement strategy that is separate from clinical care, and which ensures broad patient/community voice within the health system.

Guided by a patient/family/caregiver and health equity lens, the Community Engagement Specialist will spearhead identified patient engagement efforts within care communities and across the province, including advisory and focus groups, patient feedback, experience-based co-design, and patient-centred evaluation. The role will engage 1:1 and in small groups with individuals with lived experience, patients, caregivers and family members, building grassroots engagement to identify gaps in resources and supports required. Works to expand and strengthen existing engagement efforts currently in place within partner organizations, and supports an inclusive, coordinated best practice approach to engagement for the province.

Primary Responsibilities:

Patient, Family and Caregiver Engagement
•In support of engagement requests from colleagues across the organization, conducts small group and 1:1 outreach with those with lived experience for the purposes of engaging their participation and gathering input in program planning and quality improvement initiatives.
•Facilitates partner meetings, prepares presentation content and makes presentations to community groups and partner organizations, supports various engagement efforts.
•Collects, collates, analyzes, reports and presents engagement feedback data.
•Identifies and recruits community members with lived experience for inclusion and participation in engagement forums and activities throughout the region.
•Takes part in data collection and analysis, to support the organization's confidential strategic direction
•Plans, coordinates, organizes and facilitates engagement events and activities, including focused group discussions etc.
•Develops formal and informal channels of communication with patients, families and caregivers to receive feedback on Health system performance and for improving Health system processes and tools.
•Identifies gaps in planning and design processes or activities where patients, families and caregivers have not had opportunity for involvement/voice, and works with partners to create opportunities for patient/Family feedback.
•Maintains an appropriate filing system for records.
•Responsible for specific delegated projects and tasks under the direction of the Manager.
•Establishes relationships and communicates with Service Providers and external/internal community partners as necessary.
•Supports broader engagement with Indigenous, Francophone and underrepresented communities.
•Actively works to share best practices in patient and family engagement, educating and sharing knowledge from expert organizations.

Other Related Activities
•Demonstrates behaviours, actions and attitudes that are consistent with our Vision/Mission/Values and a commitment to work collaboratively with external partners on behalf of patients, families and caregivers across the province.
•Upholds a commitment to confidentiality and discretion in all aspects of handling confidential organizational data, including the organization's interests and strategies
•Supports the advancement of an organizational culture focused on quality, safety & risk management, continuous improvement
•Works in compliance with the provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act of Ontario and the regulations and adheres to health and safety policies/ practices developed and implemented by Home and Community Care Support Services Mississauga Halton and takes reasonable precautions
•Implements new procedures and controls deemed necessary by management
•Participates on internal and/or external committees as required
•Participates in mandatory learning/education to maintain and update skills and knowledge whenever deemed necessary
•Supports the team and works with team members to ensure department needs are met including absence coverage
•Performs other related duties as assigned

Education and Experience:

•Degree, Certificate or Diploma in community or social services, health care, general administration or related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience satisfactory to Home and Community Care Support Services Mississauga Halton)
•Three (3) to five (5) years related and relevant experience providing program coordination
•Professional experience with an engagement program an asset, particularly within health care
•“Lived Experience” with or direct exposure to navigating multiple services and supports within the health care sector and broader system of care is preferred

Knowledge:

•Good understanding of Home and Community Care Support Services Mission, Vision, Values, mandate, client service delivery frameworks and methods, and overall issues and priorities within the health care sector and their impact on HR systems and operations
•Demonstrated ability to engage and relate with a diverse group of providers and community members within a health equity lens
•Strong communication and facilitation skills
•Tact, diplomacy to interact with multiple, and often high profile external partners
•Ability to analyze information, problem-solve and make good decisions
•Self-directed with an ability to organize, plan, prioritize and multi-task
•Overall understanding of ethnic, spiritual, linguistic, familial and cultural differences
•Experience engaging with Indigenous, Francophone, racialized, Two-Spirit and LGBTQIA+, disabled, and other underserved communities is considered an asset
•Solid understanding of engagement concepts, strategies and technical skills required in planning, execution and evaluation of engagement plans for internal and external audiences
•Knowledge of current trends in engagement planning and tactics, including in-person and virtual engagement sessions and other channels
•Good understanding of engagement policies and procedures, and patient and family centred care philosophy and/or frameworks

Skills and Abilities:

•Adept in the use of MS Office applications (e.g., Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.)
•Understanding and commitment to quality service and best practice
•Flexible, adaptable and responsive to change
•Excellent customer service skills
•Ability to analyze information, problem-solve and make good decisions
•Self-directed with an ability to organize, plan, prioritize and multi-task
•Strong data entry skills with attention to detail and accuracy
•Ability to independently organize meetings for internal and external customers
•Demonstrated critical thinking
•Detail-oriented
•Tact, diplomacy to interact with multiple, and often high profile external community partners
•Bilingualism (French & English) is an asset

Affiliation: MPE
Salary: HCCSS Non-Union Band 4 - $67,765.50 to $80,915.67
Shift: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm (37.5hrs/week)
Office location: To be determined; anywhere in Ontario, Hybrid

All applications will be reviewed; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Home and Community Care Support Services Champlain welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in any aspects of the selection process.

Home and Community Care Support Services has implemented a mandatory vaccination policy across the province that requires all staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Applicants being considered for employment will be required to provide proof of vaccination documentation confidentially to Human Resources upon hire. Any medical or human rights exemption requests will be reviewed and validated prior to an offer of employment.