Independent Rights Advice Service - Vancouver, Canada - Canadian Mental Health Association BC Division

Canadian Mental Health Association BC Division

Verified Company

Vancouver, Canada

2 weeks ago

Posted by:

Sophia Lee

beBee Recruiter

Full time

Description

ABOUT THE JOB

IRAS Advisors will play a key role in the launch and direct delivery of a new province-wide independent rights advice service for involuntary patients under the Mental Health Act.

The 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 will be delivered virtually, as well as in-person when required, in communities throughout BC through a network of Rights Advisors.

Rights Advisors will 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 will provide assistance and support if the patient chooses to exercise their rights. This role will be for a Rights Advisor at the launch of the IRAS service. It will be foundational to establishing the service as a trustworthy and consistent service in BC.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The duties and responsibilities associated with this position are described below.

Provide prompt virtual and inperson independent rights advice meetings with people experiencing involuntary treatment under the Mental Health Act that is unbiased, nonjudgmental, traumainformed, 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 under16 years of age admitted at the request of a parent or guardian, as appropriate.
Explaining relevant patient rights under the Mental Health Act.
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).
Provide referrals to lawyers, advocates, and other supports and resources as appropriate and as 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.

ABOUT YOU

All 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.
Live within 25km of the detaining facilities in their community, or within a reasonable distance based on location of community.
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.
Have calm, nonjudgmental, accessible, and clear communication skills.

Experience and Skills
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 healthrelated 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 decisionmaking.
Knowledge of and commitment to cultural safety, cultural competence, antiracism, and reconciliation.
Knowledge of systemic inequities related to gender, sex, race, Indigeneity, (dis)ability, substance use, andother aspects of a person's identity.
Commitment to continual learning and understanding our shared history of colonization, the ongoingharms of our colonial past, and the systemic and individual power imbalances present in society as aresult.
Knowledge of BC's Mental Health Act.