Community Health Board

Volunteer Success; Saskatchewan; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A community health organization in Saskatchewan seeks volunteers to join the Community Health Board, focusing on improving health and wellness in local communities. Responsibilities include gathering ideas, advising on health needs, and fostering partnerships. Ideal candidates are passionate about community health, can work in teams, and are willing to engage actively. This volunteer role demands a commitment of approximately 1.5 to 2 hours per month and provides valuable experience in community health planning.

Benefits

Community engagement opportunities

Skill development

Networking with local health professionals

Qualifications

• Must have an active interest in health and wellness in the community.
• Ability to work effectively as a team member to achieve goals.
• Willingness to commit time necessary for the work.

Responsibilities

• Gather ideas on improving local health and wellness.
• Advise on local perspectives in health planning.
• Develop partnerships with local groups for health projects.

Skills

Knowledge of community health issues

Team collaboration

Advocacy for community health

Job description

Summary

Work with Nova Scotia community partners and organizations, local municipalities, Nova Scotia Health and many others to improve health & wellness.

Volunteer Role Description – CHB Member

What is a Community Health Board (CHB)?

• Community Health Boards are groups of volunteers from your community. They work together under a legislated mandate to improve health & wellness where we live, work, play and learn.
• An advisory board to the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA); they have a responsibility to ensure community voices are heard and community needs are considered in provincial health planning. They advise on local perspectives, trends, issues, and priorities.

What does a CHB do?

• Gather ideas and share information about how to improve and promote health & wellness close to home. They focus on many factors that affect health & wellness in our communities, including income, education and sense of belonging, among others.
• Share what they have learned about your health & wellness priorities with Nova Scotia Health Authority, IWK Health Centre, and community groups.
• Advocate for actions to promote and improve health & wellness based on what communities say is most important.
• Guided by their Community Health Plans, they develop partnerships with local community groups and award Wellness Fund grants to local community projects.

What does a CHB NOT do?

• A CHB is an advisory board; it does not govern or manage the delivery of health services, hire or supervise staff, hold funds in its own right, or resolve individual patient care concerns.

Benefits of being a CHB Member

• Play an active role in supporting the vision of the NSHA: “Healthy people, healthy communities - for generations”.
• Develop a broad knowledge and understanding of community and organizations within it.
• Work with partners to support improvements to the Social Determinants of Health in their community.
• Learn more about health processes such as community health planning and public engagement.
• Develop new skills and learn about current health and wellness issues that affect the community.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Must be a resident of the area served by the CHB and have an active interest in the health and wellness of their community.
• Demonstrate clear knowledge of community health and wellness issues or willingness to learn and an interest in health promotion.
• Awareness and consideration of the Social Determinants of Health.
• Ability to work effectively as a team member to achieve shared goals as identified by the CHB plan(s).
• Willingness and ability to commit the time necessary for the work of the board.

Time Commitment

• Typically, members are expected to attend one meeting per month, approximately 1.5 to 2 hours in length, 10 months of the year (September to June).
• Additional sub-committee work and meetings may be requested periodically.
• CHB members are appointed for a term of up to three years, with a maximum of two three-year terms of service.
• Many opportunities for participation in public engagement, health promotion, sub-committees.

Training and Support

• Members will participate in the established volunteer development and engagement process and receive an orientation binder at their first meeting with a formal orientation to the board in the first year.
• Specific training for future roles is provided as they are assumed.
• Ongoing support will be provided by the CHB Coordinator and the Executive committee.

Expectations of CHB Members

• Willingness to come prepared to meetings having read review materials, background information, etc.
• Attend and actively participate in the meetings and affairs of the CHB and give due notice of non-attendance.
• Maintain a positive and collaborative working relationship both within the CHB and with the NSHA and other organizations and groups. Observe proper decorum and show respect toward fellow CHB members, NSHA staff and community partners.
• Capacity to look at all sides of an issue and render wise decisions.
• Disclosure of any real or perceived conflict of interest and follow the CHB Process for Conflict of Interest.
• Support and abide by decisions passed by the CHB.
• Adhere to all CHB and NSHA policies and guidelines.
• Recognize the Chair as the spokesperson for the CHB.
• Participation in annual self and board evaluation process.
• Acknowledge that complaints will be reported at the CHB level, investigated, and appropriate action taken. This may involve creating an “agreement for improvement” plan, disciplinary action, sanctions or legal action.

Accountability

• The Nova Scotia Health Authority (via the CHB coordinator and PECHBS team).
• The communities served by the CHB.
• The other members of the CHB.

Legal and Safety Information

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Reconciliation, Accessibility: At Nova Scotia Health we value an environment that honours and recognizes equity, diversity and inclusion among our Physicians, staff, learners, volunteers, clients, patients, and residents as one of our unwavering principles. We strive to respect, honour, serve, and include people of all races, religions, genders, gender expressions, languages, sexual orientations, ages, abilities and cultures.

Confidentiality: All Nova Scotia Health volunteers are required to maintain the confidentiality of any information obtained while performing their volunteer role. This includes all information about patients, clients, residents, families, employees, medical staff and fellow volunteers.

Safety: Nova Scotia Health strives to provide a safe workplace for all employees and volunteers. Safety is everyone's responsibility - your personal health and that of our patients, your fellow volunteers, staff, and our many visitors depend on all of us taking safety issues seriously. Volunteer responsibilities include: Knowing and exercising safe work practices. Reporting unsafe conditions or acts. Receiving appropriate training. Knowing and exercising rights.

Dress Code: NS Health employees, physicians, students, and volunteers are to project a professional image to patients, residents, visitors, and the community and are therefore asked to dress appropriately. Appropriate attire should be clean, in good repair, and appropriate for the activity. For further information, refer to the NS Health policy on Dress Standards. Volunteers are required to wear their volunteer ID badge at all times when volunteering.

Agreement

By submitting a volunteer application, I (Volunteer) acknowledge that I am 16 years old or older. I further agree to bring forward any questions or concerns that I may have to my program supervisor and the volunteer resources consultant, as applicable. I will notify my program supervisor right away if I need to be absent due to illness or emergency. If I find that I am unable to fulfill my responsibilities as a volunteer, I will inform the volunteer resources consultant. (Community Health Boards will accept high school students under the age of 16 as volunteers, subject to approval after the standard Community Health Board member applicant interview.)

Note: Under the Health Authorities Ministerial Regulations made under section 79 of the Health Authorities Act: “No person shall be permitted to be a member of a CHB board who (a) is an employee of the provincial health authority, the IWK Health Centre or the Department of Health and Wellness; or (b) holds privileges with the provincial health authority or the IWK Health Centre.”

Requirements

• Minimum 16 years old
• Must reside in Nova Scotia
• Criminal Record Check
• Vulnerable Sector Search
• Must reside in the catchment area of the Community Health Board for which you volunteer.

Contact

On-site Address: Central Zone - Windsor, West Hants, Nova Scotia

Website: https://www.communityhealthboards.ns.ca