RIGHTS ADVISOR, INDEPENDENT RIGHTS ADVICE SERVICE (IRAS) (Fraser West Region)

ABOUT THE JOB

IRAS Advisor will play a key role in the launch and direct delivery of a new provincewide independent rights advice service for involuntary patients under the Mental Health Act. The IRAS is designed and delivered using a partnership model that brings together multiple organizations and stakeholders including the Canadian Mental Health Association the Community Legal Assistance Society Health Justice Mtis Nation BC and others.
The service will provide rights information and advice to people who are experiencing involuntary treatment under BCs Mental Health Act. The services will be delivered virtually as well as inperson when required in communities throughout BC through a network of Rights Advisors. Rights Advisors will help people experiencing involuntary treatment either while detained in a designated facility or in community on extended leave understand what is happening to them and what their rights are. They will provide assistance and support if the patient chooses to exercise their rights. This role will be for a Rights Advisor at the launch of the IRAS service. It will be foundational to establishing the service as a trustworthy and consistent service in BC.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties and responsibilities associated with this position are described below.

Provide prompt virtual and inperson independent rights advice meetings with people experiencing involuntary treatment under the Mental Health Act that is unbiased nonjudgmental traumainformed culturally safe and accessible.
Ensure that rights advice meetings cover all necessary topics including:
oExplaining the meaning of and restrictions involved in being an involuntary patient or a patient under16 years of age admitted at the request of a parent or guardian as appropriate.
oExplaining relevant patient rights under the Mental Health Act.
oIdentifying available options if the patient disagrees with their current situation (e.g. applying for areview panel hearing making a court application).
oExplaining options for reporting concerns if they have concerns with the way they have been treatedor the care they have received (e.g. complaining to the Patient Care Quality Offices in the healthauthorities the Ombudsperson).
oAssisting the patient to exercise their rights if requested (e.g. apply for a second medical opinionapply for a review panel hearing or connect with a legal service provider).
Provide referrals to lawyers advocates and other supports and resources as appropriate and as possible.
Arrange for interpretation cultural and accessibility supports as needed.
Support the participation of family members and personal supporters as chosen by the patient.
Successfully complete initial and ongoing training and development activities.
Participate in a virtual community of practice with other Rights Advisors throughout BC.
Enter case notes records and complete service delivery confirmation forms as required by IRAS serviceand privacy standards.
Maintain appropriate confidential records and provide information and reports as required.
Participate in IRAS complaints process including resolving problems as needed.

ABOUT YOU

All Rights Advisors must be independent from designated facilities in BC and from the care treatment or supervision of any patients on extended leave. People who are employed by have privileges at or provide health and social services at designated facilities under the Mental Health Act and teams with delegated authority over a patient on extended leave are not eligible for the role.
In addition all Rights Advisors must:
oSuccessfully complete all initial and ongoing mandatory training required by IRAS.
oUndergo a Criminal Record Check including Vulnerable Sector.
oLive within 25km of the detaining facilities in their community or within a reasonable distance basedon location of community.
oHave access to reliable transportation to be able to attend detaining facilities in their communitywithout incurring significant travel costs.
oHave exceptional listening skills to support building trust and relationship.
oHave calm nonjudgmental accessible and clear communication skills.

Qualifications

Typical Education Training and Experience

Diploma in Community Social Service.

Recent related experience of two years.

Or an equivalent combination of education training and experience.

Or other qualifications determined to be reasonable and relevant to the level of work.

A valid class 5 drivers license and reliable vehicle with adequate insurance due to lack of other transportation options in some communities.

Experience and Skills

The following will be prioritized in the selection of Rights Advisors but are not mandatory:
Lived experience of involuntary mental health treatment.
Lived or professional experience communicating or working with people with diverse health needs anddisabilities including people with mental healthrelated disability.
Membership in a community or personal experience that will help contribute to the diversity of RightsAdvisors in BC.
Commitment to centering the patients goals and choices in communication and decisionmaking.
Knowledge of and commitment to cultural safety cultural competence antiracism and reconciliation.
Knowledge of systemic inequities related to gender sex race Indigeneity (dis)ability substance use andother aspects of a persons identity.
Commitment to continual learning and understanding our shared history of colonization the ongoing harmsof our colonial past and the systemic and individual power imbalances present in society as a result.
Knowledge of BCs Mental Health Act.
Experience explaining legal information and legal rights.
The ability to communicate complex information in variety of ways to meet different accessibility culturalor linguistic needs.
Experience providing traumainformed services.
A high degree of discretion and commitment to strict confidentiality.
Flexibility and comfort in providing persons centered support and navigation of complex systems.
Comfort with administrative tasks like scheduling notetaking recordkeeping and general organization.
Punctuality the ability to respond promptly to meeting requests and comfort juggling multiple tasks andappointments; and
Comfort with technology including video conferencing case management scheduling platforms and Office365.
Training and resources provided.
Computer office supplies and software necessary for the role.
Initial training including indepth training on the Mental Health Act (on paid time).
Ongoing training opportunities a community of practice with other Rights Advisors and support as needed.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The Rights Advisor will be required to travel to detaining facilities in their community for inperson rightsadvice meetings. The Advisor must have access to reliable transportation to be able to attend detainingfacilities in their community without incurring significant travel costs in some communities this mayrequire a valid class 5 drivers license and reliable vehicle with adequate insurance due to lack of othertransportation options.
Mileage and parking reimbursement will be provided in accordance with IRAS policies.
The Rights Advisor must be in the community in which they will be providing inperson services; howeverit is possible for the position to be remote or hybrid if the applicant has access to secure stable internetand a workspace that provides a high degree of privacy and security.
Qualified candidates living in the Fraser West region (including the cities of Burnaby New Westminster etc.)will be preferred.
Most IRAS meetings will be conducted between 9am5pm Monday to Friday.
The position is unionized through the Community Bargaining Association (CBA) and the hourly rate is
$31.54$33.28.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your resume along with a cover letter clearly documenting how you satisfy the requirements outlined in this job posting to by 5 p.m. May 9 2025. The subject line should mention Rights Advisor IRAS. We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted to schedule an interview.

For more information about CMHA BC Division visit our website at .

CMHA BC Division is committed to our workforce reflecting the diversity of the communities within which we work. As such we encourage applications from persons with disabilities members of visible minorities First Nations Inuit and Mtis people people of all sexual orientations and genders and others who may contribute to the diversity of our staff. Personal experience with mental illness and or addiction either through self or a loved one is an asset.

ABOUT US

Founded in 1918 The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is a national charity that helps maintain and improve mental health for all Canadians. As the nationwide leader and champion for mental health and addiction CMHA helps people access the community resources they need to build resilience and support recovery from mental illness and/or addiction.

We respectfully acknowledge xmky m (Musqueam) Skwxw7mesh (Squamish) slilwta
(TsleilWaututh) Lkwungen (Songhees) and Wyomilth (Esquimalt) peoples on whose traditional unceded lands the CMHA BC offices are located.