Nova Scotia Community Health Board - Eastern Zone...

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

Job summary

A community health organization is seeking CHB members to contribute to improving local health and wellness. Members will participate in monthly meetings, advocate for community needs, and collaborate with various stakeholders. Ideal candidates should be residents of the area, possess an interest in health promotion, and be committed to participatory roles. This role offers the chance to develop new skills while making a tangible impact on community health.

Benefits

Training and support provided

Opportunity to impact community health

Qualifications

• Resident of the area served by the CHB.
• Willingness to learn about community health.
• Commitment of time for board responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Attend monthly meetings and participate actively.
• Advocate for community health improvements.
• Review and prepare for meetings.

Skills

Knowledge of community health and wellness issues

Ability to work effectively as a team member

Interest in health promotion

Job description

Summary

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

Description

Volunteer at one of the Nova Scotia Health Community Health Boards in Cape Breton.

When you volunteer as a Community Health Board (CHB) member, you do more than just talk about what makes a community healthy. Every conversation you have, partnership you make and initiative you support brings us closer to creating safe, healthy and supportive communities. CHBs work with 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?

• Community Health Boards gather ideas and share information about how to improve and promote health & wellness close to home. They focus on the many factors that affect health & wellness in our communities, including income, education and sense of belonging, among others.
• They share what they have learned about your health & wellness priorities with Nova Scotia Health Authority, IWK Health Centre, and community groups.
• Community Health Boards 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 they award Wellness Fund grants to local community projects.

What Does a CHB NOT Do?

• A CHB is an important advisory board. They are “non-governance” which means they do not govern or manage the delivery of health services, hire or supervise staff, hold funds in their own right, or resolve individual patient care concerns.

What are the benefits of being a CHB Member?

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

What interests/experience/skills do you need to be a CHB member?

• A member 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.

What is the 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.
• There will be many opportunities for participation in public engagement, health promotion, sub-committees.

What training and support is offered?

• 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.

What is expected of me as a CHB member?

• A 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.
• Maintaining 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.

Who are the CHBs and their members accountable to?

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

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.

When

Any time, ongoing

Where

On-site Address: Eastern Zone - Cape Breton , Nova Scotia