Patient Partner, Specialized Community Services Program Steering Committee

Volunteer Opportunity
If you have experience navigating community-based services and would like to provide input in shaping person-centred, culturally safe and quality care services, we want to hear from you! The East Kootenay Health Service Area is seeking patient partners to join the Specialized Community Services Program (SCSP) Steering Committee.

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Lead Organization/Department
Interior Health – Community Care

Aim
The committee focuses on adults with complex medical conditions (with or without frailty) and people living with moderate to severe mental health and substance use issues. As committee members, patient partners will provide strategic input and oversee project implementation plans to help ensure local services become more coordinated and meet the needs of the population.

Level of Engagement
This opportunity is at the level of collaborate on the spectrum of engagement. The promise to you is that the health care partner will work together with you to formulate solutions and incorporate your advice and recommendations into the decisions to the maximum extent possible.

Eligibility
• Understands what community-based health care entails (for example experience with home health support or stays in respite settings)
Or
• Has lived experience with a mental health and/or substance use issue and has received community based MHSU services
• Culturally aware and sensitive to diverse perspectives
• Comfortable working with Managers, Executives, and other leadership team members
• Connection to Creston, Cranbrook, Kimberley, Invermere, Golden, Fernie, Sparwood or Elkford
• Access to technology to meet virtually

Logistics
Number of vacancies: 2
Location, Date, Time and Frequency:
• The steering committee meeting will be held once per month for one hour
• The meetings will be held approximately every 6 weeks on Wednesday mornings
• There may be further opportunities to participate in a working group as the project progresses
• At this time all meetings are being held virtually
• The term for this position is approximately 6-12 months

Reimbursement
There are no anticipated expenses associated with this opportunity.

Background
The steering committee attempted to locate a patient partner at the beginning of project work, however a local/EK partner was not found. It is important that we continue to try and add a patient voice to the project work. The focus of this work will be on Community Care.

Others committee members include: Allied Health, Primary Care Network, EK Division of Family Practice, Psychiatry, Seniors Transformation Lead, IH Community Directors, Quality Improvement, Change Management, and Ktunaxa Nation (vacant). Ad hoc: Aboriginal Health

COVID-19 may impact the capacity for this project work so meetings and other activity may be impacted based on emerging needs.

Health Care Partner Contact Information

Carol Stathers
Engagement Leader, Patient and Public Engagement | Interior Region
778.516.3308
cstathers@bcpsqc.ca