Summary

Background

Timiskaming Area Ontario Health Team is one of 58 Ontario Health Teams (OHT) introduced by the Ontario government to build a more connected health care system centered around patients, families and caregivers. These teams bring together health care providers and organizations to work as one coordinated team to strengthen local equitable services, and make it easier for patients to navigate the system and transition between providers.

 

The Timiskaming Area Ontario Health Team (TAOHT) represents a partnership of more than 17 organizations spanning the district of Timiskaming, inclusive of Temagami.  

 

Position Summary  

This position will play a key role in the exciting transformation of our local health care system. Working closely with and reporting to the Transformation Lead, the Communications and Engagement Coordinator will be responsible for developing and executing the TAOHT’s engagement strategy and communications strategy.

 

This work will require development and fostering of relationships w3ith a range of community partners including First Nations and Indigenous organizations, Francophone organizations, patients, families, caregivers and the public. You will be responsible for supporting engagement efforts, ensuring patient involvement, and effectively communicating our work internally and externally using a variety of communication channels. This includes creating and publishing content in French and English. You will also contribute to the monitoring and evaluation of the engagement and communication strategies. You will integrate co-design principles into TAOHT engagement and communication initiatives and events.  

 

Responsibilities Include  

Communications and Media Relations

• Develop, execute, monitor and evaluate a communications strategy
• Support the development and promotion of TAOHT’s brand identity
• Support the development and maintenance of TAOHT’s bilingual website
• Develop and publish communications in French and English across internal channels, as well as manage social media, the team’s website, and other external channels
• Write or copyedit a variety of communication products for a range of internal and external audiences
• Champion access to information, including health literacy and plain language
• Collaborate with local, regional and provincial communications peers and approved initiatives

 

Engagement

• Develop, execute, monitor and evaluate an inclusive engagement strategy
• Adhere to established engagement frameworks and processes that prioritize co-design
• Support select patients, family and caregivers to actively and meaningfully participate in all areas of TAOHT work, as well as support tactics to engage a diverse range of patients and caregivers
• In collaboration with the Transformation Lead, support meaningful engagement of system partners, including First Nations and Indigenous organizations, Francophone organizations
• Provide engagement support, expertise and capacity building to OHT system partners and initiatives
• Conduct and facilitate a range of mix-method engagement activities and events
• Collaborate with local, regional and provincial engagement peers and approved initiatives
• Represent TAOT on committees and in meetings as determined by the OHT Transformation Lead

 

Event coordination

• Lead logistical aspects of accessible internal and external events, including venue selection, catering, and audio-visual equipment
• Lead or support event invitations, agendas, and materials
• Lead the setup, execution, and breakdown of assigned events, troubleshoot issues that arise during
• Support event evaluation and continuous improvement
• Maintain internal document management and sharing platform and other administrative duties as assigned.

 

Qualification and Experience

• Completion of a post-secondary degree- or diploma-granting program in communications, community public relations, community engagement, or relevant health-related studies.
• Education in Indigenous cultural safety, accessible French Language Services, and/or health equity is an asset.
• Bilingual in French and English for written and oral communication is preferred.
• Experience in community development and engagement with patients, families, and care partners.
• Formal training in or familiarity with implementing and evaluating community engagement frameworks, processes, and patient co-design principles.
• Experience in media relations, developing, implementing and evaluating communication strategies, communication products for diverse audiences using communications theory and plain language.
• Experience working with modern office and publishing software, cloud services and platforms, and digital tools and communications platforms.
• Experience or interest in event planning, implementation, and evaluation.

 

Skills

• Proficiency in building and maintaining trusting relationships with a diverse range of audiences – including physicians, patients, community agencies, as well as groups experiencing marginalization
• Demonstrated ability to engage, and communicate clearly with a wide variety of audiences
• Advanced written, copyediting, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong facilitation skills for both in-person and virtual environments with a range of audiences
• Capability to track, monitor and evaluate community engagement and communication strategies
• Demonstrated ability to apply patient-centred and health equity frameworks in all phases of work
• Demonstrated ability to develop a range of communication campaigns and products for a variety of audiences
• Experience with accessible communication standards and accessible engagement is an asset;
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute a variety of engagement approaches and tactics
• Ability to be self-directed and deliver on multiple priorities
• Capability and interest in working on a small team in an emerging organization
• Ability to use tact and discretion in dealing with health care providers, patients, family and caregivers
• Demonstrated professionalism in dealing with confidential and sensitive issues
• Excellent computer skills (MS Office, Adobe, Visio, Smartsheet etc), social media (Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn), Hootsuite, Canva, mailchimp and similar applications
• Reliable transportation, valid driver's license and relevant insurance is necessary with ability to travel across TAOHTs geography, when required.

 

Role Specifications:

• Temporary (8 month), part-time (0.6 FTE), contract with potential of extension.
• Salary $30 to $34 / hour. Salary will be commensurate with experience.
• Eligibility to enroll in Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP).
• Percent in Lieu of Benefits
• Vacation Pay.
• Based on 37.5 work week with ability to work flexible hours including evenings.
• The ideal candidate will be a resident within the OHT’s catchment area; work can be performed remotely, with some onsite requirements and travel across the district.
• Blanch River Health will issue the employment contract but the employee’s role will be wholly dedicated to the Timiskaming Area OHT.

 

NOTE: The TAOHT is open to secondment arrangements for current employees of health and human service organizations.

 

To express interest in this opportunity, submit a cover letter and resume no later than Friday, May 17^th, 2024 to

Name:  Kerry Schubert-Mackey, Transformation Lead, Timiskaming Area Ontario Health Team

Email: careers@blancheriverhealth.ca

The Timiskaming Area Ontario Health Team (TAOHT) and Blanche River Health will provide accommodations for applicants with disabilities during the recruitment process.

The TAOHT is committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and accessible environment supporting diversity in our work environment to provide quality care where all feel valued, respected, and supported. The TAOHT is dedicated to building a workforce reflective of the communities in which we live, serve, and encourage Indigenous people, visible minorities, and persons with disabilities to apply and self‑identify.

We thank all applicants for their response; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.