Posted • Last updated
Closed
Commitment: Long-term
Connection method: Virtual
Open to Vancouver Island Region
Last updated
Volunteer Opportunity
Island Health Long-term Care is initiating multiple projects to expand the number of LTC beds on Vancouver Island. Help us ensure that resident and family voices are front and centre as we embark on the design and construction of new long-term care homes.
Lead Organization/Department
Island Health, Long Term Care
Aim
We aspire to build new long-term care homes that all people – residents, families, volunteers and staff – will agree represent a gold standard for long-term care. We believe that long-term care residents deserve to live in homes where they can exercise volition and have meaningful independence in their day-to-day lives. Patient partners are essential members of our project teams, and provide advice, guidance and recommendations to help us ensure that our design and construction decisions are resident-driven.
As a patient partner on our LTC Capacity Development Team you will have the opportunity to join various levels of steering committees and working groups. You will also have opportunities to contribute to document creation (e.g. policies, guidelines, and procedures).
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
• Open to patient partners from: Island Health region
• Experience with long-term care (for example as a family caregiver of a resident, or as a current resident)
• Comfort telling your story to small and large groups
• An interest in design and construction, and how the built environment can improve the quality of long-term care, is an asset but not a requirement
• Please note:
– This opportunity is not open to staff members or patient partners who are currently employed by this health authority.
– As connection and relationship building is important, we may like to meet with short listed patient partners as part of our selection process in an informal interview between the patient partner and the health care partner.
– Applicants must have previously attended a PVN orientation session and completed the Patient Partner Commitments form. If you have not attended an orientation session but you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Charmaine Niebergall directly to see if accommodations may be possible.
– As required by the October 14, 2021 Public Health Order released by the Provincial Health Officer, proof of vaccination is required to access any in-person meetings at a health care site. Proof of vaccination can be provided by way of a Vaccination Passport or Vaccination card, along with government issued photo ID. For patient partnership activities that are virtual only (via Zoom, video conference, phone, etc.), proof of vaccination is not required.
Logistics
• Number of vacancies: 2
• Date/Time:
– TBD
– We are in early stages of developing a governance model for the projects. There will be flexibility in determining how often and on what committees and councils the patient partner(s) collaborate.
• Location: Virtually for most meetings, with some in-person, with in-person engagement (e.g. Town Halls) that may take place in Victoria, Nanaimo and Campbell River.
• Commitment: Monthly meetings for 1 year commitment, with projects ongoing for 4-6 years.
Reimbursement
Travel expenses (incl. accommodation, mileage, and meal per diems) in accordance with Island Health policy, will be reimbursed. However, if you meet the eligibility criteria but have concerns about your ability to participate, please contact Charmaine Niebergall cniebergall@bcpsqc.ca to see if support options are available. We are always seeking to better understand and reduce barriers to participation.
Background
Island Health’s Long-term Care program has established a philosophy of care centered on the values of connection, learning, integrity and collaboration. Our vision is “making every moment matter for each person,” and our mission is to create “a vibrant and innovative long-term care community that nurtures and inspires hope, choice and meaning.”
Health Authorities were invited to submit business cases to the Ministry of Health to build new long-term care homes. Business Cases have been submitted, and we expect to be able to initiate projects early in 2023. On Vancouver Island, the proposed homes will be designed and constructed, and then operated, by Island Health. Consultation with Indigenous Peoples is a crucial part of the projects, as is the establishment of resident/family steering groups and change coalitions. Project teams will include representatives for many Island Health departments, including Long-term Care, Support Services, Facilities, Human Resources, and Information Management/Information Technology.
There will be many different working groups/committees all as part of the expansion projects. Patient Partners will work with the health care partners to decide which ones make the most sense for them to join. Possible committees could be: Governance committee, Change Coalition, or Resident/Family Steering Committees. Please note the governance structure is being drafted at this time.
