Position Overview:

Reporting to the Leader of Ethics Engagement and Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) Response Lead, the Ethics Services Facilitator and MAiD Response Advisor (“the Advisor”) brings both ethical and clinical expertise to the collaborative work of PHC Ethics Services. This combined expertise is critical in supporting two key areas of PHC’s Ethics programming: Ethics Engagement and responding to requests for Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD).

Ethics Engagement:

In consultation with the Leader of Ethics Engagement and MAiD Response Lead, the Advisor plays a central role in facilitating engagement activities across PHC. Responsibilities include coordinating communications related to engagement initiatives, contributing informed insights into ethics programming, and identifying gaps and opportunities for quality improvement. The Advisor also works closely with the Ethics Services team to produce required reports and manage, analyze, interpret, and modify data within multiple existing databases, ensuring continuous improvement in engagement strategies.

MAiD Response:

In partnership with the MAiD Response Leader (MRL), the Advisor also assists in managing MAiD inquiries and requests from PHC patients, residents, and tenants. This involves overseeing the intake process, offering practice consultations to healthcare teams and requestors, and organizing educational sessions and resources for staff. The Advisor plays a key role in contributing to MAiD-related organizational consultations, providing content based on their specialized knowledge of ethical principles, and contributing to the reporting requirements related to MAiD as the legal and ethical landscape continues to evolve in Canada.

Education Requirements:

• Master's degree in Ethics, or in a health discipline that supports ethics.
• Three (3) to five (5) years of recent related experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Current registration with the appropriate professional or licensing body, as required by applicable regulations.
• Preference will be given to applicants with an intention to take (or current enrolment in) an Ethics-focused PhD program for the purpose of working as an Ethicist in the future

Skills and Abilities

• Strong foundational knowledge of bioethical principles and their application in a healthcare setting; and speciality training in health care ethics (e.g. course work)
• Understanding of Catholic moral tradition and ethics, as expressed in the Health Ethics Guide.
• Extensive knowledge/experience working with complex clinical and social dynamics across the continuum of healthcare.
• Extensive knowledge of legislation, guidelines, and policies regarding Medical Assistance in Dying.
• Demonstrated ability to initiate and maintain collaborative working relationships.
• Exceptional ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Ability to independently analyze and interpret data, work with databases, and translate data analysis into clearly written reports
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate and promote collaboration
• Resourceful and flexible competence in working both independently and within a team environment.
• Well organized with a strong attention to detail
• Familiarity with clinical information systems
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position

• Competitive salary: The salary range for this position is $38.12/hr - $54.80/hr, depending on experience.
• Growth opportunities: We welcome individuals at all stages of their careers and offer opportunities for professional development and growth.
• Inclusive culture: We respect the diversity, dignity, and interdependence of all individuals. We value the cultural richness that our diverse workforce brings to the care of our equally diverse population of patients and residents.
• Comprehensive benefits package: Includes dental, vision, and life insurance, as well as a pension plan.

Your Day-to-Day:

• Leads intake and triaging process for Ethics Services inquiries by assessing level of urgency and required response, and engaging in the appropriate team member for follow-up (e.g. MRL, Ethicists, Ethics Fellow, Physician Ethicist, etc.). Receives calls/emails and provides a timely and professional reply,
• Plans and coordinates a range of Ethics engagement activities (e.g. education activities including conferences, seminars and other Ethics engagement events) by preparing budget proposal and costing options, arranging technologies such as online platforms and registration systems to host and manage participants, liaises with speakers and arranges any applicable reimbursements, prepares and disseminates communications about events, prepares and collects evaluation components for events, distributes post-event materials (e.g. completion certifications, etc.).
• Organizes and oversees various databases and in collaboration with Ethics Staff, ensures data completeness and accuracy, and submits various required reports (e.g. Society Report, CEO report, VP Mission People Ethics report, PHC/PLS Board sub-committee reports, PHC and PLS Board reports, etc). Reviews various databases, following up with any missing and/or incomplete data, isolating and compiling data relevant to the reporting period, carrying out descriptive statistical analyses on the data, preparing a narrative report that explains the data and analysis including trends and changes, ensures reports are accurate and submitted on time, and ensures reports are disseminated to all relevant and involved parties.
• Manages the Ethics team communication and service information infrastructure by writing and submitting news stories and advertising to relevant systems (e.g intranet, internet, PHC news, mailing lists, etc.).
• In collaboration with Ethics Services team members, identifies areas of needed education from sources such as the database and feedback form, leads information sessions on Ethics and MAiD-related topics for the entire PHC and PLS community of staff, physicians and trainees including all healthcare students, and members of the public (e.g. at open education events).
• Participates in research activities and literature reviews on ethical issues, including MAiD, applies evidence-informed contributions to practice; reports findings to team members and other interested parties.
• Participates in communication and consultation with professional groups regarding practice implications of MAiD response legislation, regulations, standards and policies.
• Provides process guidance to staff and physicians as they respond to individuals and their families seeking information and clarity about Medical Assistance in Dying at PHC sites (e.g. where to access forms, who to contact at VCH, etc.).
• Supports case management for MAiD requests in collaboration with the MRL by updating the applicable database(s) and reports, connecting with clinical teams for process support, answering case-related questions, ensuring Ethics Staff members are updated about any unexpected outcomes, and retaining event info for reporting purposes (e.g. in VP and/or CEO reports).
• Facilitates post-MAiD multidisciplinary team debriefs with all health care professionals involved (e.g. physicians, nurses, allied, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring PHC staff and physicians are familiar with MAiD response processes at PHC and know who to contact if anyone has further questions.
• With Ethics team members, leads quality improvement reviews, system improvement and risk mitigation responses by identifying generating improvement opportunities on the basis of analysis of various databases, proposing strategies to address the quality need, by implementing the quality measure, and evaluating any changes.
• Makes recommendations, in consultation with Ethics Services, Professional Practice, Risk Management & Patient Safety, Medical Affairs and others as appropriate, regarding changes in policies, procedures, or practices.
• Participates in other related projects and initiatives, as directed by the Leader or delegate.
• Leads and attends internal/external meetings on behalf of service areas on related matters.
• Oversees team calendar by ensuring all relevant parties are included in events as needed, and by attempting to remove and/or resolve conflicts (e.g. adjusting meeting times).
• Performs other related duties as required