Job Description

Competition # : 41704

Department: Health and Wellness

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date: \xe2\x80\x8b05-Mar-24 \xe2\x80\x8b (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

The Department of Health and Wellness offers opportunities to grow and advance in a dynamic sector that touches the lives of all Nova Scotians. Along with our partners, including the Nova Scotia Health Authority and the IWK Health Centre, we\xe2\x80\x99re committed to continually improving our health care system. With a focus on continual improvements within the Health System, the department is thinking differently about how to plan, fund, regulate and monitor to improve access and service delivery.

One of the Department of Health and Wellness\xe2\x80\x99s (DHW) mandates is to ensure the delivery of collaborative health care to communities through Emergency Health Services, including medical communications, medical first response, ground and air ambulance, and other programs. DHW is responsible for setting standards, developing policies, funding, and regulatory oversight of the Emergency Health Services (EHS) system and the vendor contracted to operate the EHS system.

About Our Opportunity

Reporting to the Director, EHS Regulation & Policy, and as a member of the EHS Data & Accountability team, you will provide leadership in clinical quality improvement, clinical and operational investigations and audits, data reporting, regulatory and contract accountability processes, and developing procedures to improve emergency service delivery and improve clinical outcomes. You are responsible for information gathering, in-depth analysis, planning and development of technical tools to provide effective monitoring and compliance of the Emergency Health Services clinical, policy, contractual, and program standards. You are also responsible for providing leadership to work groups and committees, including coordination, group facilitation and research support as required. You may provide functional supervision of contractors and professional or support positions as necessary.

Primary Accountabilities

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Leads EHS program for clinical investigations for high-risk incidents and adverse events in the EHS System and escalates and initiates corrective action, as necessary.
• Leads EHS program and technology systems for monitoring progress of critical event investigations across the EHS System, ensuring timely closure of all formal recommendations stemming from.
• Organizes and leads EHS program for operational investigations and audits, ensuring contractor and partner accountability.
• Develops, coordinates, and issues warning letters, fines, and other necessary corrective action to contractors not in compliance with expected contractual and performance standards, tracking, reporting, and intervening to ensure performance improvement.
• Provides project leadership to DHW EHS Leadership and the Provincial Medical Director with Quality Improvement processes, peer review, and other projects as directed.
• Works closely with EHS Managers, Directors, the EHS Medical Directors and EHS Medical Oversight Physicians to develop procedures to assess, implement and monitor patient satisfaction and quality of care; communicates directly with partners and public to address patient concerns and feedback.
• Develops, coordinates, and manages Quality Improvement Programs, and identifies strategies to increase the quality and effectiveness of services provided.
• Oversees and participates in the Quality Assurance and Improvement (QA/QI) program performing medical chart and case reviews, broad EHS reporting and report writing, and statistical analysis.
• Develops and coordinates procedures to increase operational efficiencies and clinical outcomes which may include the use of available statistical packages or software programs; coordinates system development and programmatic changes to monitor and improve EHS delivery and clinical outcomes.
• Evaluates performance data on a continuing basis and conducts periodic re-evaluations of prior analyses.
• Represents EHS in matters related to quality improvement and clinical performance, including internal and external province-wide committees and working groups.

Qualifications and Experience

You have training and experience in a health system environment in Canada with at least four (4) years of relevant experience. Preference will be given to those with training and experience in any of the following:

• Work in the emergency health sector (e.g., as a paramedic);
• Experience in an inspection, investigatory, audit, or compliance environment, especially if such experience was in a health-related industry;
• Educational training in a clinical field with up-to-date or recently expired licensure; and/or
• More than four (4) years of experience providing clinical care to patients as a healthcare practitioner (e.g., paramedic, nurse, or other regulated health profession).

Specifically, we are seeking a candidate who has experience in developing and managing quality improvement and system compliance programs to increase the quality and accountability in Nova Scotia\xe2\x80\x99s emergency health system. Experience and knowledge in program and contract monitoring and clinical and operational investigations and audits is considered a critical asset in this role.

You are a collaborative team player with proficient skills in the use of a variety of Microsoft programs such as SharePoint, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook or equivalent, as well as with statistical analysis and project management tools. You will have experience and familiarity with quantitative and qualitative research and evaluation methodologies and understand their potential application in a community health services context. You have sound judgment along with strong time management skills to ensure the timely completion of tasks. You are a strong communicator, both verbally and in writing. Attention to detail is essential. You must always maintain confidentiality and a strong focus on client service. You can work effectively under pressure, with competing priorities, in this fast-paced environment.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Equivalency

We recognize equivalent combinations of training, education, and experience, providing opportunities for individuals with diverse backgrounds to contribute their skills and expertise.

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and Union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as Health, Dental, Life Insurance, Pension, General Illness (Short and Long Term), Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. Click to learn more about our various benefits offering and eligibility criteria.

Working Conditions

Most of your time is spent in a comfortable office setting and may involve sitting for long periods of time. Flexible work environments are provided allowing up to two (2) days per week that may be worked remotely. Travel throughout the province may be required. Your normal work week is 35 hours/week. You may be required to work overtime on occasion.

What We Offer

• Career development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.
• Engaging workplace: our employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in, we have forward-thinking policies and strategies.
• Countless career paths
• Department specific flexible working schedules, including remote work up to 2 days per week and an Earned-Day Off Program.

Pay Grade: PR 17

Salary Range: $3,091.70 - $3,631.17 Bi-Weekly

Employment Equity Statement:

Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application.

This is a bargaining unit position initially restricted to current civil service employees represented by the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union (NSGEU). If applying from outside a government office, employees must apply correctly via this link:

Failure to apply correctly means that your application will not be given first consideration as a bargaining unit applicant, and will only be included if external applications are pursued.

External applicants and current casual employees will only be considered if there are no qualified civil service bargaining unit candidates. PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.

Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to Competitions@novascotia.ca.

Government of Nova Scotia