Risk Associate

KEY FUNCTION: 

Coordinate the operation of HSN's organizational risk management program. Provide advice and coordinate day-to-day insurance, claims, litigation and legal-support processes.  Maintain risk information, support reporting, conduct risk assessments, and escalate material, complex or precedent-setting matters for direction.

REPORTING: 

Under the general direction of the Manager, Patient Relations and Organizational Risk.

DUTIES: 

1. Support key legislative requirements related to patient safety and risk (e.g., Ontario Excellent Care for All Act (ECFAA), Public Hospitals Act, Quality of Care Information Protection Act (QCIPA)); ensure best practices, policies and applicable accreditation standards are met.
2. Provide support to staff and leaders on routine clinical, operational, property, legal, insurance and reputational matters, including safety concerns, and police or trespass matters, using established policies, procedures and guidance; refer material, complex or precedent-setting matters to the Manager.
3. Coordinate the operation of HSN's insurance program, including coverage inquiries, and communication with insurer.
4. Coordinate the intake, reporting, documentation, monitoring and resolution of professional liability, general liability and other insured or potentially insured claims.
5. Coordinate litigation, tribunal and other legal files by receiving and routing legal requests, maintaining confidential records, gathering and validating information and facilitating communication among staff, leaders, insurers and legal counsel.
6. Provide procedural information and support to staff involved in legal proceedings, including service of claims, preparation meetings, examinations for discovery, mediations, hearings and court processes; attend proceedings as required and identify issues requiring escalation.
7. Review contracts, agreements, waivers, releases, policies, and procedures using established checklists and guidance to identify risk, insurance, indemnity, liability and compliance considerations and provide recommendations.
8. Assist with the operation of the Integrated Risk Management Framework and related processes, including the organizational risk register, Healthcare Insurance Reciprocal of Canada (HIROC) Risk Assessment Checklists, risk assessments, mitigation plans and standards of work.
9. Review safety events, patient concerns, claims, recalls and other information sources for potential claims, emerging trends or material risk exposure through departmental escalation processes; ensure timely escalation and reporting to the Manager, insurer or other appropriate stakeholders.
10. Maintain accurate and confidential claims, litigation, insurance and risk databases, files and tracking systems; ensure required follow-up, documentation and record retention.
11. Compile and summarize claims, insurance and risk information to assist in the preparation of reports.
12. Determine and align improvement projects with HSN’s Strategic Plan; monitor and adjust to achieve goal outcomes.
13. Contribute to learner development by providing academic support, mentorship, preceptorship and supervision as required.
14. Participate in education and training specific to current, relevant federal and provincial health and safety legislation, standards and guidelines.
15. Educate and promote health, safety and wellness in the work place.
16. Represent the department or program on various committees and in meetings as required. 
17. Perform other duties as required. 

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND TRAINING: 

1. Minimum of a four (4) year Bachelor’s Degree in a health discipline, or a related field, from an accredited university.
2. Master’s Degree in Quality Improvement Patient Safety or Health Administration is preferred.
3. Canadian Risk Management designation, Risk Management certificate or equivalent is preferred.
4. Ministry of Labour “Worker Health and Safety Awareness in 4 Steps” training certificate is required.

EXPERIENCE: 

1. Minimum of three (3) years’ experience working within a healthcare environment.
2. Two (2) years’ of relevant experience in risk management, quality improvement and/or conflict/dispute/crisis intervention is preferred.
3. Recent experience with project and change management is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES: 

1. Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of legislative requirements relevant to patient care and healthcare facilities (e.g. Excellent Care for All Act (ECFAA), Quality of Care Information Protection Act (QCIPA)).
2. Demonstrated current knowledge of accreditation, risk management, patient safety and performance measurement.
3. Demonstrated ability to be tactful and diplomatic by utilizing mediation, negotiation, conflict/crisis management, and human resources management skills.
4. Demonstrated project management skills.
5. Demonstrated knowledge of patient care processes, facility functions and cross functional operations.
6. Demonstrated exceptional critical thinking skills evidenced by the ability to take large complex problems and break them down into manageable projects to achieve successful results.
7. Demonstrated excellent presentation skills.
8. Demonstrated excellent judgment and proven analytical skills.
9. Demonstrated experience in data analysis, report generation and writing skills.
10. Demonstrated ability to coach, advise and teach others using the principles of adult learning.
11. Demonstrated training, experience or utilization of quality improvement methodology for process improvement.
12. Demonstrated ability to independently identify issues, plan improvements, measure success and continue improvement.
13. Demonstrated excellent computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office software (e.g. Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook) and patient information systems.
14. Demonstrated superior interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
15. Demonstrated ability to manage routine correspondence, multiple tasks/projects, diversified workload and rapidly changing priorities and challenging deadlines.
16. Demonstrated discretion and maturity when handling confidential information.
17. Demonstrated commitment to the safety of co-workers and patients.

PERSONAL SUITABILITY: 

1. Successful Criminal Record Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC) is required.
2. Ability to use tact and discretion in dealing with health care providers and patients.
3. Proven ability to work effectively with people at all levels in an organization and build and maintain relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
4. Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development.
5. Demonstrated professionalism in dealing with confidential and sensitive issues.
6. Demonstrated positive work record and excellent attendance record.
7. Ability to meet the physical and sensory demands of the job.
8. Ability to travel between local sites.

Selection Process:  Candidates will be selected for this position on the basis of their skill, ability, experience and qualifications as identified in the resume and completed Application Form submitted. The Hospital reserves the right to conduct a formal interview where required. This posting is for an existing vacancy.
 

Health Sciences North is committed to providing accommodations to applicants with disabilities to enable their participation in the recruitment, assessment, selection and hiring stages of employment.

HSN THANKS ALL APPLICANTS.
ONLY THOSE SELECTED FOR INTERVIEWS WILL BE CONTACTED.
WE WILL NOT ACCEPT APPLICATIONS AFTER THE CLOSING DATE AND TIME.