Posted
Closed
Commitment: Long-term
Connection method: Virtual
Open to Provincial Region
Posted
Volunteer Opportunity
BC Emergency Health Services is making significant changes to improve the clinical care provided by paramedics in BC, including out-of hospital medical care for patients experiencing acute mental health emergencies. If you are interested in providing feedback so that the changes reflect what matters to patients and families in receiving mental health care in a timely and appropriate way this could be the opportunity for you!
Lead Organization/Department
BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS)
Aim
• As a healthcare organization, BCEHS is constantly updating its approach to care for patients contacting them through 911 and wants to make sure its approach aligns with what matters to patients in BC.
• The paramedic approach to mental health emergencies is evolving based on updated evidence and expanding patient and family needs. Patient partners as part of the Patient Experience Group will meet monthly to provide input into clinical practice guidelines and clinical pathway development to ensure that appropriate and timely mental health care is received when contacting 911.
• As a member of the Patient Experience Group, your firsthand knowledge, insight and experience of what is important when receiving services for mental health emergencies or urgent but non emergency mental health conditions will support us to develop programs and policies which meet the needs of patients contacting 911.
Level of Engagement
This opportunity is at the level of involve on the spectrum of engagement. The promise to you is that the health care partner will involve patients in planning and design phases to ensure ideas or concerns are considered and reflected in alternatives and recommendations.
Eligibility
Open to patient partners across the province who:
• Are above 18 years of age
• Have lived experience of a mental health emergency as a patient, family member or caregiver
• Have access to a computer and WIFI and are comfortable participating in online meetings
• Are comfortable sharing experiences in a group environment
• Some experience with contacting 911 or paramedic services either directly or for someone else due to a mental health emergency is preferred, but not essential
As connection and relationship building is important to BCEHS we would like to meet with short listed patient partners as part of our selection process.
If you have a strong interest in this work but have not yet completed a PVN orientation and Patient Partner Commitments, are unsure if your experience is a good fit or feel another format of engagement would work better with your availability, please contact Cassy Mitchell.
Logistics
• Number of vacancies: 3-5
• Date and Time: Monthly meetings between October 2022 – April 2022, exact date and time to be determined based on patient partner availability (the meetings will be 1 hour in duration). Occasional pre-reading of material will also be required
• Location: Virtual Meetings through Zoom
• Commitment: 6 months, with the possibility of an extension
Reimbursement
No out of pocket expenses are anticipated for this engagement opportunity. However, if you meet the eligibility criteria, but have concerns about your ability to participate, please contact Cassy Mitchell cmitchell@bcpsqc.ca to see if support options are available. We are always seeking to better understand and reduce barriers to participation.
Recognition for time will be provided according to the health care partners’ organizational policies.
Background
BCEHS is responsible for the delivery of out-of-hospital medical care in BC, providing the services of paramedics through the ambulance service. In response to changing demand on ambulance services, BCEHS has had to re-evaluate the historical approach to paramedic care across the province. This has included new clinical guidelines for paramedics and care pathways for specific patient populations.
BCEHS is aware that sharing experiences related to your own health and/or calling an ambulance can be challenging and triggering. Please know that if at any time you are feeling uncomfortable you can take a break or leave the meetings. BCEHS will also make sure that every meeting will be attended by a staff member with training in mental health first aid who can offer additional supports.
For further information on BCEHS please click here.
