Capacity Program Advisor in Toronto

The Capacity Program Advisor is responsible for the oversight and implementation of processes, policies, outreach, communication, support and education programs in keeping with the Law Society’s public interest mandate, legislation, by-laws and policies, specifically with respect to licensee health issues, and assessment of incapacity (as defined by the Law Society Act). The Capacity Program Advisor serves as an information and strategic resource on licensee health to Professional Regulation. Promotes an assistive, collaborative approach to dealing with licensee health related issues to produce appropriate outcomes in a diverse number of cases.

Qualifications

• Minimum of an advanced degree in Health Sciences or a related field of study or an LLB or JD with membership in good standing with the Law Society.
• Minimum 7 years’ experience or equivalent in mental health services or a health regulatory environment.
• At least two of these years should be in a project management and/or leadership capacity, directing the development and implementation of process improvements in a regulatory/adjudicative environment, and leading change management initiatives.
• In-depth understanding of the Law Society’s mandate, services, legislation and policies.
• In-depth understanding, and continued research and analysis in legally complex matters.
• Current knowledge of related health resources and programs in the community.
• Demonstrated knowledge base regarding health issues affecting professionals, particularly substance use disorders, mental health disorders and dementias.
• Microsoft Office Suite / 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Broad understanding of technology, particularly applications of technical solutions to work process and procedure in a regulatory/legal environment.
• Thorough knowledge of project management principles and best practices, including group dynamics, alliance building, role modeling behavior and building consensus among disparate perspectives and competing priorities.
• Superior communication skills, both written and verbal; demonstrated high-level drafting skills (e.g., briefing notes, reports, undertakings).
• Expressive and persuasive in both spoken and written language.
• Ability to reason through highly complex spoken and written information.

Key Accountabilities

• Client / Customer Service Planning: Provides advice, guidance and assistance in planning to Professional Regulation regarding licensee health issues, including licensee incapacity. Develops, recommends and implements training, policy, and effective approaches to the division's activities relating to the incapacity of licensees. Establishes and maintains a framework including the creation of effective and ongoing evaluation of investigative and monitoring processes. Proactively identifies problems and opportunities and takes action to continuously improve the related work processes. Maintains up-to-date the “Capacity Resource Manual”, including related procedures, tools and templates. Develops and maintains a roster of health professionals who provide expert opinions to the Law Society with respect to licensee health issues and regularly assesses opinions received with respect to quality, including timeliness. Develops and maintains up-to-date training and orientation materials/programs.
• Client / Customer Service Delivery: Monitors the progress of capacity related processes, participating in initial and ongoing risk assessment, the resolution of deficiencies or problems in processes, and coaching and developing the skills and abilities of division staff. Conducts capacity-related training for Professional Regulation and others across the organization. Establishes performance measures and targets to address issues of consistency, quality, and efficiency of related processes. Identifies and seeks out external expert resources, when necessary, to ensure that the necessary case specific competencies are met. Identifies where further investigation of issues is required, considering standards of quality, the political and environmental context of the case. Conducts outreach, including ongoing recruitment and training of medical assessors, liaises with stakeholders, including Ontario Lawyers Assistance Program (OLAP), Ontario Bar Association (OBA)/Canadian Bar Association (CBA), Homewood, and provides related presentations. Conducts relevant research, including research design, data collection, analysis, and reporting. Maintains current list of educational resources. Regularly assesses and reviews strategies and processes to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the Law Society’s oversight of licensee health related matters.
• Performance Goals, Targets and Standards: Collaborates with the Manager & Senior Counsel, and other Professional Regulation managers and Counsel to develop and monitor standards and best practices in managing health issues of licensees focusing on risk management and the setting of priorities and targets with a view to improving regulator effectiveness in dealing with licensee incapacity. Engages in continuous improvement with respect to standards and services provided to stakeholders.
• Policy Development: In conjunction with the Manager & Senior Counsel and Professional Regulation managers identifies emerging health issues affecting professionals, particularly substance use disorders, mental health disorders and dementias. Establishes and implements consistent, fair and sound evidentiary policies and procedures. Advises the Manager & Senior Counsel and members of the division with respect to licensee health issues, including incapacity. Participates in strategic planning and development of policy relating to the division’s licensee health matters and contributes information and expertise to policy development initiatives in regulatory functions as appropriate. Makes recommendations on the development of policies and other initiatives to address these issues. Monitors new and in-progress case files for trends and patterns, and assesses the implications of same with respect to Professional Regulation and related regulatory processes. Participates in strategic planning and policy development as it relates to licensee health issues.
• Relationship and Alliance Building: Serves as an information and strategic resource on licensee health to Professional Regulation as well as other staff within the Law Society. Promotes an assistive, collaborative approach in dealings with licensee health related issues in order to produce appropriate remedial outcomes in a large and diverse number of cases. Conducts outreach, including ongoing recruitment and training of medical assessors and liaison with stakeholders, including members of OLAP, OBA/CBA, and Homewood.