Independent Rights Advisor - Prince George

Job Title: Independent Rights Advisor

Department: Crisis Intervention and Prevention

Reports to: Director of Programs and Services

Bargaining Unit: BCGEU

Wage Range: Grid 33 / $33.46-$35.31

Status: Full-time TEMP

JOB

Independent Rights Advisors play a key role delivery of the province-wide independent rights advice service for involuntary patients under the Mental Health Act. The Independent Rights Advice Service (IRAS) is designed and delivered using a partnership model that brings together multiple organizations and stakeholders, including the Canadian Mental Health Association, the Community Legal Assistance Society, Health Justice, Métis Nation BC, and others. The service will provide rights information and advice to people who are experiencing involuntary treatment under BC’s Mental Health Act. The services is delivered virtually and in-person in communities throughout BC through a network of Independent Rights Advisors. Independent Rights Advisors help people experiencing involuntary treatment, either while detained in a designated facility or in community on extended leave, understand what is happening to them and what their rights are. They aid and support if the patient chooses to exercise their rights. This is a remote role requiring frequent travel between facilities. Occasionally, longer trips may be necessary, including overnight stays in serviced communities.

Please note: This position is based in Prince George. Applicants should be able to work within or relocate to the Prince George region.

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW:

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Vernon & District Branch is a non-profit organization focused on promoting mental wellness in the community of Vernon and surrounding areas in the North Okanagan and is part of a provincial and national federation. We believe in empowering individuals, groups, and communities in self-determination to enhance their mental health. CMHA facilitates access to the resources people require to improve mental health and community integration, build resilience, and support recovery from mental illness through building capacity, influencing public policy, providing services and support, and developing resources. We are committed to providing an environment free from prejudice, discrimination, and harassment. We strive to reflect the entire community in our volunteers and staff and promote equal access to our services.

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Vernon & District Branch is a non-profit organization focused on promoting mental wellness in the community of Vernon and surrounding areas in the North Okanagan and is part of a provincial and national federation. We believe in empowering individuals, groups, and communities in self-determination to enhance their mental health. CMHA facilitates access to the resources people require to improve mental health and community integration, build resilience, and support recovery from mental illness through building capacity, influencing public policy, providing services and support, and developing resources. We are committed to providing an environment free from prejudice, discrimination, and harassment. We strive to reflect the entire community in our volunteers and staff and promote equal access to our services.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Rights Advisors will:

• Provide prompt virtual and in-person independent rights advice meetings with people experiencing involuntary treatment under the Mental Health Act that is unbiased, non-judgmental, trauma-informed, culturally safe, and accessible;
• Ensure that rights advice meetings cover all necessary topics including:
• Explaining the meaning of and restrictions involved in being an involuntary patient or a patient under 16 years of age admitted at the request of a parent or guardian, as appropriate
• Explaining relevant patient rights under the Mental Health Act
• Identifying available options if the patient disagrees with their current situation (e.g., applying for a review panel hearing, making a court application)
• Explaining options for reporting concerns if they have concerns with the way they have been treated or the care they have received (e.g., complaining to the Patient Care Quality Offices in the health authorities, the Ombudsperson)
• Assisting the patient to exercise their rights if requested (e.g. apply for a second medical opinion, apply for a review panel hearing, or connect with a legal service provider)
• Provide referrals to lawyers, advocates, and other supports and resources as appropriate and where possible;
• Arrange for interpretation, cultural, and accessibility supports as needed;
• Support the participation of family members and personal supporters as chosen by the patient;
• Successfully complete initial and ongoing training and development activities;
• Participate in a virtual community of practice with other Rights Advisors throughout BC;
• Enter case notes, records, and complete service delivery confirmation forms as required by IRAS service and privacy standards;
• Maintain appropriate, confidential records and provide information and reports as required;
• Participate in IRAS complaints process, including resolving problems as needed;
• Have a demonstrated commitment to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive team environment; and
• Attend training sessions that promote equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Travel to facilities within the geographical region of the rights advisory in order to attend meetings with clients as well as to maintain office hours at facilities. For this position, travel includes: Nothern BC to Kamloops.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive team environment
• Attend training sessions that promote equity, diversity, and inclusion

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education, Training, and Experience

• Initial training, including in-depth training on the Mental Health Act (on paid time);
• Ongoing training opportunities, a community of practice with other Independent Rights Advisors, and support as needed;
• All Independent Rights Advisors must be independent from designated facilities in BC and from the care, treatment, or supervision of any patients on extended leave. People who are employed by, have privileges at, or provide health and social services at designated facilities under the Mental Health Act and teams with delegated authority over a patient on extended leave are not eligible for the role
• In addition, all Rights Advisors must:
• Successfully complete all initial and ongoing mandatory training required by IRAS;
• Undergo a Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Check;
• Have access to reliable transportation to be able to attend detaining facilities in their community without incurring significant travel costs;
• Have exceptional listening skills to support building trust and relationship; and
• Have calm, non-judgmental, accessible, and clear communication skills.

Skills and Abilities

• The following will be prioritized in the selection of Rights Advisors, but are not mandatory:
• Lived experience of involuntary mental health treatment;
• Lived or professional experience communicating or working with people with diverse health needs and disabilities, including people with a mental health-related disability;
• Membership in a community or personal experience that will help contribute to the diversity of Rights Advisors in BC;
• Commitment to centering the patient’s goals and choices in communication and decision-making.
• Knowledge of and commitment to cultural safety, anti-racism, and reconciliation;
• Commitment to continual learning and understanding our shared history of colonization, the ongoing harms of our colonial past, and the systemic and individual power imbalances present in society as a result;
• Knowledge of systemic inequities related to gender, sex, race, Indigeneity, (dis)ability, substance use, and other aspects of a person’s identity;
• Knowledge of systemic inequities related to gender, sex, race, Indigeneity, (dis)ability, substance use, and other aspects of a person’s identity;
• Knowledge of BC’s Mental Health Act;
• Experience explaining legal information and legal rights;
• The ability to communicate complex information in variety of ways to meet different accessibility, cultural, or linguistic needs;
• Experience providing trauma-informed services;
• A high degree of discretion and commitment to strict confidentiality;
• Flexibility and comfort in providing persons centered support and navigation of complex systems;
• Comfort with administrative tasks like scheduling, note-taking, record-keeping, and general organization;
• Punctuality, the ability to respond promptly to meeting requests, and comfort juggling multiple tasks and appointments; and
• Comfort with technology including video conferencing, case management, scheduling platforms, and Office 365