Specialist, Psychological Health & Safety

Specialist, Psychological Health & Safety

HR Psychological Health & Safety (PHS)Vancouver, BC

The Specialist, Psychological Health & Safety (PH&S) reports to the Practice Leader and is an innovator, knowledge translator, facilitator and change agent responsible for developing & delivering psychological health and safety educational programs, initiatives and written resources. The Specialist integrates formal psychological health and safety education, training and skills into the development, delivery and ‘operationalization’ of psychological health and safety concepts. In collaboration with the PH&S team, the Specialist designs, delivers and evaluates innovative educational strategies and programs such as: health promotion, e-learning related to the national standard for psychological health and safety in the workplace, core PH&S competency training for a range of all staff and customized learning modules and resources relevant for the diverse service delivery programs across PHSA. The Specialist assesses readiness for change, prepares leaders for and applies tool to assess and analyze current state psychological health & safety strengths and risks. Presents assessment findings to leadership and recommends an action plan that takes into account the clients constraints, completing demands and current realities. Recommends an effective and sustainable implementation plan utilizing evidence-based approaches and strategies that leaders can utilize to enhance the psychological health and safety of their work environment, and support employees who are experiencing psychological health issues or disorders. Incorporates strategies and approaches to encourage active, meaningful and effective participation of all workplace stakeholders in psychological health and safety planning and implementation. Enhances the competencies of leadership by providing education and supporting the development of skills and confidence to lead in psychologically safe and emotionally intelligent ways. As well, advocates for the value of PH&S workplaces and works to enhance the resilience of employees to promote a productive and well organization.

What you’ll do

Partner with operations leadership and members of the safety and prevention and human resources portfolio to support teams in adopting psychological health and safety principles and practices throughout PHSA. Partner with PHSA programs and services leaderships and Human Resources colleagues to design and apply best practice PH&S concepts, approaches, and tools.
Provide education, consultation, guidance to Clinical and Senior Leaders on design, materials development and effective learning strategies that includes teaching, facilitation and simulation and provides on-the-job support to direct and non-direct care staff to support the implementation of the 15 factors associated with the National Standard for psychological health and safety in the workplace. Assist with PHSA wide implementation and coordination of initiatives. Establish evaluation plans and models to ensure learning programs are meeting stated outcomes.
Lead the development, implementation and maintenance of assigned competency-based learning programs and continuing education of staff, integrating these with practice standards. Ensure the development and updating of resources to support such education in order to develop and maintain staff competency for psychological health and safety and trauma informed practice.
Provide advice and guidance to executive and front-line leadership about implementing PH&S strategies and how to foster psychologically healthy and safe workplaces based on assessing current culture, strategies and resources. Support leaders with evidence-based approaches and strategies that they can utilize to enhance the psychological health and safety of their work environment, and support employees who are experiencing psychological health issues or disorders. Consult with external agencies, such as Health Care Unions, and other health authorities, as well as research and academic institutions for the purpose of creating and knowledge sharing PH&S education resources.
Ensure specialized programs/projects deliverables are completed on time and on budget, as identified in the project plan. Identify gaps and tracks key metrics as they relate to the project deliverables and provide consultation, guidance and support to designated project staff, contractors and stakeholders. Develop, revise, and maintain existing resource/courses and programs as well as new program/course/conference development.
Advocate for and educates on the value and necessity of working towards improved psychological health and safety. Incorporate strategies and approaches to encourage active, meaningful and effective participation in psychological health and safety planning and implementation. Work to reduce or eliminate stigma about mental illness.
Research, write, edit and produce communication content and promotion strategies, in collaboration with other PHS team members, to engage internal and external audiences on the issues, and, opportunities for psychological health and safety in health care. This includes newsletter articles, organizational bulletins, web content, intranet updates, speeches, briefing notes, video scripts, presentations and more.
Design and produce digital content such as graphics for social media, digital signage and presentations to support campaigns led by the psychological health and safety team.
Liaise with stakeholders, including directors, managers, physicians and other experts within PHSA to develop a broad understanding of important issues related to PHS, challenges and strategic directions being undertaken. Foster open dialogue between key stakeholders and communicates messages clearly and concisely to promote awareness of initiatives and contribute to creating a psychologically healthy and safe workplace for all employees, medical staff and leaders.
Maintain knowledge of trauma informed approaches at a personal, practice and organizational level; embrace that cultural safety, diversity, equity and inclusion are essential to delivering exceptional care.

What you bring

Qualifications

A Masters Degree in Education, Psychology or Counselling or a related field plus five (5) years of Learning & Development experience, including course design, material development and facilitation. Expertise in instructional design, delivery and evaluation methods for individuals and groups. A minimum of two (2) years’ experience/advanced certification in core aspects of psychological health and safety including: organizational psychology, coaching, motivational interviewing, health promotion, counselling and skills specific to supporting teams and individuals to create a psychologically healthy and safe workplace.
Demonstrated knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples in social and health contexts, including supported by significant knowledge of Indigenous-specific mandates, including clear understanding of and commitment to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism and discrimination and embed Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility.
Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism and systemic racism on Indigenous Peoples within social and health contexts. This includes understanding how these factors contribute to current health disparities and barriers to care. Show a clear commitment to identifying, challenging, and eradicating Indigenous-specific racism and all forms of discrimination impacting equity-deserving groups within health care settings. This involves familiarity and understanding Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility recognizing personal biases, institutional barriers, engaging in anti-racism education and training and advocating for systemic change.
Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments within HR Psychological Health & Safety (PHS) contexts found in the foundational documents including Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study - BC Human Rights Code, BC Anti-racism Act and how they intersect across the health care system.

Core Competencies

Brings an understanding of the Indigenous specific racism and the broader systemic racism that exists in the colonial health care structure, and has demonstrated initiatives in breaking down barriers and ensuring a safe environment ensuring a sense of belonging to all and informed by Indigenous Cultural Safety.
Awareness of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (the Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.).

Skills & Knowledge

Strong interpersonal communication, leadership, strategic and innovative thinking, inspired coaching, interpersonal and influencing skills. A strong work ethic with the ability to effectively multi-task and meet deadlines. A consummate team player who will be willing to pitch in and co-facilitate and/or co-develop with team members. Commitment to, and demonstrated involvement in, continuous life-long learning. Outstanding written and verbal communication skills. Highly skilled with MS Office products, particularly Word, PowerPoint and Excel and other education-related tools and resources.
Excellent interpersonal, presentation, and verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate complex ideas in simple terminology and the ability to negotiate and persuade others. Ability to work effectively with all levels of staff. Strong, positive team player with a collaborative work style. Systems thinking and political awareness are essential. Strong analysis and problem solving abilities required. Excellent organizational skills including the ability to prioritize workload to meet deadlines. Must demonstrate LEADS Competencies (Leads Self, Engages Others, Achieves Results, Develops Coalitions, Systems Transformation).
Demonstrates a commitment to beginning and/or continuing their personal learning journey related to Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, as well as addressing racism more broadly. Shows willingness to articulate and share their learning experiences to contribute to a culture of motivation and inspiration among peers.
Demonstrates foundational knowledge of the social, economic, and political realities of settler-colonialism and its impacts on Indigenous peoples and equity-deserving groups within social and health contexts. Understands the impact of social determinants of health-on-health outcomes. Shows a commitment to learning about and upholding legislative obligations and provincial commitments outlined in foundational documents such as the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan, Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, the BC Human Rights Code, Anti-Racism Data Act, and the Distinctions Based Approach.

What we bring

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.

Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs, including +2,000 courses, such as our San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles.
Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.

Job Type: Temporary Full-Time (Until October 2027 or Until Return of Incumbent)Salary Range: $90,770-$130,481/year. The starting salary for this position would be determined with consideration of the successful candidate’s relevant education and experience, and would be in alignment with the provincial compensation reference plan. Salary will be prorated accordingly for part time roles.Location: 1333 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6H 1G9Closing Date: Applicants accepted until position is filled Hours of Work: 08:00-16:00 Monday-FridayRequisition #: 203201E

What we do

The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Create equity – Be courageous.

Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services

PHSA is committed to anti-racism and equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently excluded groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.

One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes ongoing commitments to Indigenous recruitment and employee experience as well as dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya’k̓ula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at [email protected].

Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and exclusion faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and title of BC First Nations and self-determination of all First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. PHSA is mandated to uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents including the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study.

Attention current employees of PHSA:

You must apply via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca.

The internal job posting expires on September 3, 2026 and will no longer be accessible. If the internal job posting has expired, please e-mail [email protected] with the six-digit job requisition number and your PHSA employee ID number to be considered as a late internal applicant. Please do not apply for the external job posting.

If you have not yet set up an internal profile, please e-mail [email protected] with your PHSA employee ID number to obtain your temporary password. Our business hours are Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm, excluding Statutory Holidays and a Help Desk Representative will respond to you with 1-2 business days.

If you are not a current employee of PHSA and require assistance with your application, please contact the External Careers team at [email protected].