Project Manager, Forensic Psychiatric Services

Job Description

Job Summary
In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of Provincial Health Services Authority patient safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA, and as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position. Reporting to the BCMHAS Director, Learning & Development and the Executive Director Forensic Psychiatric Services (FPS) the Project Manager is responsible for the management of projects under FPS's provincial mandate. The scope of the project manager includes broad range strategic clinical and administrative initiatives.

Duties/Accountabilities
Scope and Complexity

As a member of the FPS Management team, the Project Manager provides leadership to projects and initiatives including those with a clinical and or administrative focus while ensuring that these projects are in line with the values, mission, and mandate of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), BC Mental Health Addictions Society (BCMHAS) and FPS. The Project Manager is integrally involved in the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of such projects, and maintains primary responsibility for overall project management. The Project Manager actively contributes to team efforts, with internal and external partners, on ongoing programs and initiatives to improve the quality and accessibility of mental health and addictions services, health promotion and prevention efforts. The project manager liaises with Project Managers, and leaders outside of FPS on strategic PHSA wide initiatives. The position works closely with the senior FPS senior leadership and Clinical Managers at the Forensic Psychiatric hospital and the 6 Forensic Regional Clinics.

The Project Manager is responsible for managing a diversity of projects of varying size and scope in a complex and changing multidisciplinary environment. The Project Manager therefore maintains an awareness of the challenges, culture and system changes occurring within PHSA, BCMHAS and FPS, and applies superior management skills to ensure that assigned projects are aligned with the organization's vision, mandate, and strategic directions. An understanding of and demonstrated ability to apply project management principles and practices, coupled with initiative, efficiency, creativity, critical thinking, and solid literature search/ review, presentation, and writing skills, are required for the successful management of projects with often demanding timelines. The Project Manager also uses strong communication, team- and partnership-building, planning, building and interpersonal skills to lead projects and guide team members. The position also requires broad knowledge of change/transition theories and demonstrated ability to develop strategies and assist stakeholders dealing with change and transition. In support of the organization's vision, mandate, and strategic directions, this position requires knowledge of and substantial experience in a health service setting, implementing best practises and awareness the various stakeholders FPS is accountable to. This position requires an ability to understand and work with various stakeholders at all levels of the organization including medical, academic, research, operations, and leadership while demonstrating an ability to strategize and utilize diplomacy in developing and maintaining relationships.

Dependant upon the project, the Project manager will need to work effectively with PHSA corporate services and external stakeholders including family, Heath Authorities and or other Ministries.

Inappropriate decisions and errors in judgment related to designing, implementing, and executing project management plans could have negative financial implications, lead to ineffective implementation of clinical initiatives and compromise other operations and/or other FPS initiatives.

Communications

The Project Manager communicates with the following internal contacts: Clinical Director; Director, Patient and Client Services; Senior Region Manger, FPS Clinics; Clinical Services Manager and Regional Clinic Managers; FPS Psychiatrists and physician; FPS and BCMHS Department Managers, Other members of the BCMHAS Research and Knowledge Exchange team; and Researchers, clinicians, staff, and management across BCMHAS and PHSA. Provides consultation, builds collaborations, and seeks support and approval as applicable, regarding the development, implementation, and evaluation of projects.

The Project Manager communicates with the following external contacts as necessary: Researchers, clinicians, staff, and management across the Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) and contracted agencies; researchers, clinicians, staff, and management at the provincial, national and international levels, as applicable; relevant regional, provincial and national community-based agencies; academic institutions and regional, provincial, and national research centres and networks; other agencies or organizations providing regional or provincial mental health and addiction services; provincial and federal ministries as applicable; regional, provincial, national, and international centres of knowledge exchange; provincial and national public health, health promotion, and policy bodies; and private sector and other agencies with workplace mental health and addiction mandates. Communicates to support and inform the development, implementation, and evaluation of projects supporting strategic mental health and addictions research, policy, and knowledge exchange programs and initiatives.

Duties/Accountabilities

• In collaboration with FPS leadership, develops comprehensive project plans.
• Reviews relevant best practice literature and consults with research and clinical experts to integrate evidence based approaches for each project.
• Works collaboratively with FPS leadership team and education resources to ensure that projects are coordinated and sustainable.
• Manages the development, implementation, and evaluation of projects in support of strategic FPS programs and initiatives.
• Maintains responsibility for the overall execution of projects, assuring they are done in an efficient manner, that they adhere to project protocols, that they conform to applicable institutional and ethical policies and procedures and privacy legislation, and that they are done within the required timelines.
• Guides the identification, collection, and analysis relevant information relating to current projects, programs, and initiatives, and synthesizes findings to put forward recommendations to program team for development, implementation, analysis, dissemination of findings, and policy/practice implications.
• As applicable, arranges for and maintains responsibility for students and contractors assisting in large or complex projects.
• Develops and implements communication plans to ensure timely updates are provided to all internal stakeholders.
• In consultation with the senior leadership and Communication staff, is responsible for the dissemination of information related to projects and key programs and initiatives under the identified mandate areas through a variety of vehicles.
• Prepares quarterly and annual reports for each project in conjunction with applicable stakeholders
• Provides project updates and/or presentations to external agencies, organizations, and other stakeholders
• Participates in various committees, working groups, and research and practice networks involving a variety of internal and external stakeholder groups to support the implementation of projects.
• Actively contributes to the development and maintenance of relationships with RHAs, health related community-based organizations, university research networks, communication and knowledge exchange units, the private sector, and other key players to explore and pursue further research, practice, and knowledge exchange opportunities.
• Actively contributes to the management and facilitation of efforts to identify best practice-grounded strategies and activities for health professionals, policy/ decision makers, and the public in research, practice, and policy.
• Assists in coordinating provincial planning exercises to ensure development of comprehensive and integrated provincial strategies and specialized services.
• In consultation with the Program Manager, provides support and recommendations to the development of infrastructure support for activities under provincial mandate areas.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications
A level of education, training and experience equivalent to a Master's degree in Health, Social Sciences, or Business Administration plus a minimum of five (5) years in a project planning or management role in a health, social services, government, or community organization.

Knowledge of content areas including: mental health and addictions and clinical practices; health systems and policy; population health, prevention, and health promotion; and knowledge exchange. Understanding of and practical skills in several key areas, including: project management; change management; organizational behaviour; research and evaluation relevant computer software applications; Internet search engines, websites, and navigation; funding structures and application processes; training and education; policy review and analysis; and facilitation, community development activities, and partnerships. Related experience in: conducting literature searches and reviews, best practice reviews, policy analysis, working collaboratively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholder groups; and providing training and education activities. Qualities including: creativity and innovation; sound judgment, tact and diplomacy; strong negotiation, conflict management, and consensus-building skills; ability to work effectively and collaboratively in a demanding and dynamic environment; excellent oral and written communications skills.