Policy Analyst, Communications and Public Affairs 

Full-time, contract (12 months) with possible extension

Position summary
Reporting to the policy and engagement lead, communications and public affairs (CPA), the policy analyst is responsible for assisting with the development and revision processes for practice standards under the new Health Professions and Occupations Act. The policy analyst will help ensure that practice standards are developed in accordance with best practices and College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC’s (CPSBC) policy and equity frameworks by conducting research and analysis, developing drafts, and facilitating consultation processes.

The policy analyst plans effective engagement initiatives with the public, the medical profession and key health partners through multiple platforms such as surveys, email invitations and focus groups. The policy analyst will be responsible for developing recommendations and reports to CPSBC’s professional standards advisors and senior management team to guide the policy development process.

Duties and responsibilities

As a core member of the policy team, the policy analyst will support all elements of the policy development and review process. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• conduct consistent scans of relevant environmental trends and issues, including regular monitoring of government reports, jurisdictional scans, legislation changes, media, consultations by other partners, advances in technology, and literature reviews to confirm currency of existing practice standards and assess whether a new practice standard or a revision should be considered
• conduct impact assessments of proposed new or revised practice standards, identify and define key goals, expected outcomes, and possible challenges
• plan the development and review process of practice standards
• develop consultation communications to increase awareness internally and externally of current engagement opportunities
• liaise with relevant internal staff and external partners throughout the policy development process
• participate in working groups regarding practice standards with key health partner organizations
• ensure practice standards are aligned with other BC health regulators as appropriate, and work with other BC health regulators to promote consistency when appropriate
• compile and analyze feedback received through surveys, emails, and focus groups to identify themes and prepare consultation finding reports and presentations
• develop communications, such as website announcements, email updates and College Connector articles to inform partners of policy updates
• ensure appropriate version control and archiving of practice standards
• other related responsibilities as needs arise, such as writing briefing notes, supporting documents, articles, or correspondence in response to a particular consultation process, or practice standard

Skills and qualifications

Required skills and qualifications include:

• a graduate degree in public policy/administration/public health/law, or a related field, and at least three (3) years of experience in public administration, planning, or program development in healthcare, legal or social services
• knowledge of medical terminology, health care practices, and BC’s health-care system at-large
• current registration with a relevant BC health regulator (e.g. nursing, PT, OT), education in law (e.g. JD, LLB), and/or experience working for a health authority, ministry of health, or regulator would be an asset
• thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, techniques, methods, and procedures applicable to research and policy development
• good understanding of International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) principles and how to apply them in a regulatory setting
• exceptional analytic skills and strong attention to detail; a polished presenter
• exceptional business writing, clinical document writing, and editorial abilities; strong technical abilities to create and manage complex document filing, indexing and retrieval systems
• strong computer/web skills
• strong project management skills, including ability to engage and manage stakeholders in a respectful, tactful and effective manner
• able to establish effective working relationships with a wide variety of internal and external contacts
• able to develop, implement and evaluate innovative policy and related materials, taking into consideration the impact on healthcare outcomes
• excellent time management skills to prioritize and complete assignments and schedule activities; self-motivated and self-sufficient; work well independently

The compensation range for this position is $71,120 (minimum) to $106,680 (maximum) per year, and the midpoint of the range is $88,900 per year. The compensation range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job. 

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC (CPSBC) is committed to our ongoing journey to be a diverse, equitable and inclusive place to work. All interested applicants, regardless of age, family or marital status, physical or mental disability, race, colour, religion, place of origin, and ancestry, Indigenous identity, gender identity or expression, sex, sexual orientation political belief, socio-economic background, criminal conviction or any other characteristic protected by applicable law, are strongly encouraged to apply. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in the recruitment and selection process.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for interview will be contacted.

CPSBC is located on the unceded and traditional territory of the Coast Salish peoples, including the territories of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ speaking peoples―the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) and sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, and the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh-ulh Sníchim speaking peoples―the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Nation.

We acknowledge the rights and title of BC First Nations whose territories span across the province. These territories recognize that laws, governance, and health systems tied to lands and waters have existed here since time immemorial.