Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Lead, Complaints and Practice Investigations

Full-time, contract (two years)

Position summary

The College acknowledges that many diverse communities have experienced significant health disparities when compared to the general population, such as sexual/gender diverse, racialized, and neurodiverse individuals, persons living with disabilities, or children and youth. We appreciate there are many other communities affected by health disparities and recognize the importance of intersectionality. These disparities are rooted in social and cultural issues that have served to disadvantage these communities and perpetuate harm through discrimination. The College embraces the opportunity to learn from these communities, with the goal of ensuring that the services we deliver are safer and more accessible. 

The complaints and practice investigations department is seeking a DEI lead who will be responsible for humanizing all aspects of the complaint investigation experience; ensuring that patients and/or their representatives feel safe to actively participate in a complaint process and that those involved in the process have a deep awareness and familiarity with the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

The diversity, equity and inclusion lead works within the complaints and practice investigations (CPI) team and reports to the deputy registrar, complaints and practice investigations. This role collaborates with other members of the team, other departments, and external partners to execute on the specific recommendations of the College’s external reviews related of the complaints process, other reports such as Health Equity for Sexual and Gender Diverse Communities (Believe Me) and the new Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA). The role will lead the transformation of the College’s complaint process to one that meets the needs of all sexual orientations/gender identities, racialized populations, children/youth and other protected rights, emphasized by the language in the HPOA.

As part of our commitment to employment equity, we encourage applications from individuals with lived experience as a member of a historically underrepresented community, including Indigenous Peoples, racialized individuals, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals. The College acknowledges that not everyone is able to publicly disclose these identities and experiences, nor is this disclosure required. However, if comfortable, applicants can self-identify in their cover letter or in communication with the human resources team. 

Duties and responsibilities

Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• conduct a review of all communication materials related to the complaints process, starting from the initial contact and requests for information, through to Inquiry Committee review and distribution of a disposition; at the completion of the review, facilitate the revision of documents with a lens to language that is more compassionate and sensitive to complainant’s experiences 
• assist with the formalization of partnerships between the College and groups that work to support racialized, gender diverse, child and youth, and other marginalized people to obtain guidance on process improvement and knowledge of best practices  
• work in collaboration with the College’s communications and public affairs department
• working in collaboration with the department’s Indigenous pathways development lead and leadership team and with an eye towards the newly enacted Health Professions and Occupations Act, look to implement alternative dispute resolution options including restorative justice and healing practices involving patients, families, communities and registrants.
• supports the team by providing advice, guidance and sharing knowledge and appropriate support resources when the team engages with sexually or gender diverse complainants
• supports the investigative team in conducting safe and trauma-informed investigations with complainants or patients that have been discriminated against due to their sexual orientation, gender identity or other protected rights
• supports the Inquiry Committee by providing orientation, training and reflection on the social and cultural issues that have served to disadvantage these communities and perpetuate harm
• develop a department training program (for staff and contractors) to raise awareness and enhance the understanding of DEI issues, fostering a more inclusive and culturally competent team
• stay informed about best practices, trends, and legal requirements related to diversity, equity, and inclusion within the health-care sector, incorporating them into our department’s policies and procedures and practices

Skills and qualifications

• five to seven years of lived or other relevant experience working in DEI; previous experience as a DEI manager, diversity officer or in a similar role, with a focus on implementing successful DEI programs or process changes an asset
• certification in equitable/inclusive leadership (i.e. Canadian Certified Inclusion Professional, or similar) is an asset, however, the College recognizes that lived experience is relevant and those without such certification are strongly encouraged to apply
• strong understanding of 2SLGBTQQIA+ communities and some of the complexities and barriers that they encounter—an ideal candidate understands the social determinants of health and can describe the ways those social factors influence the health and well-being of people in these communities.
• previous experience working in the health-care sector, as a health-care provider, advocate, support, or combination of related personal or professional experiences
• in-depth knowledge of DEI principles, best practices and emerging trends in diversity and inclusion
• restorative resolution, reconciliation, mediation and/or alternative dispute resolution (ADR) training or substantial expertise gained through right experience and comprehensive understanding of trauma-informed practices within the context of healing and promoting reconciliation.
  • skills in applicable areas of conflict resolution, critical incident/trauma management, investigation and facilitation are preferred.
• sensitivity to cultural differences and a commitment to promoting equity and fairness
• proven skills in complex problem solving, planning, change management and group process mapping.
• ability to lead projects and direct and oversee teams on a project basis
• strong interpersonal and team-based skills and the ability to respectfully and positively motivate and influence others to embrace and act on DEI initiatives
• demonstrated ability to build rapport and foster relationships with internal and external partners as well as within and between agencies
• excellent verbal, written and presentation communication skills
• experience with the Microsoft Office suite and some experience with databases 

The compensation range for this position is $80,216 to $100,270.

The College 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.

The College values the strength diversity brings to our workplace, so if you’re excited about a career at the College but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with the current job postings or you are not ready to apply yet, we encourage you to create an employee profile in the careers portal and our HR team will be able to see your skills and proactively match you with other roles more closely aligned to your experience and skillset.

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

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC 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.