Health PEI Volunteer Patient and Family Partners

Patient engagement is important to delivering health care programs and services that best meet the needs of Islanders. Health PEI recognizes that sustainability of the health care system is strongly linked to the communities that it serves and the organization’s culture of engagement.

Health PEI is committed to continuously improving the quality and safety of health care services. It is important to have strong patient/family representation on quality improvement teams to ensure perspectives of those served are understood.  Health care facilities, sites, services and programs have expressed a need to involve patient and families to support quality improvement.

Have you or your family member received health care or services from Health PEI? Perhaps there is feedback you would like to share to ensure that others receive the best care possible.

Health PEI is seeking individuals who are willing to be part of a team and serve as a patient/family partner on one of the many committees.

Selection Process

Patient and family partners will be selected based on an individual's ability to contribute to this important work. Applicants:

• must have a recent experience (within the last 3-5 years) as a patient or family member of the health system (preferably in PEI). For those affected by stroke, the time frame is extended to include the experience of life after stroke.
• must be willing to actively participate in collaborative style meetings. Time commitment may will vary by role and may include 4-8 quality improvement team meetings per year (weekdays)
• must be willing to be a member of a Patient /Family advisory committee, if needed, meeting 2-4 times per year.
• must be able to travel to meetings or teleconference from their home or local health system office
• must be willing to fulfil a two-year term with a possibility of extension
• must comply with agreed upon terms of reference, codes of conduct, confidentiality and conflict resolution practices
• must sign a Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure of Information Undertaking agreement
• must obtain a criminal records check and vulnerable sector check

The ideal patient/family partner shall also bring the following capabilities to Health PEI: 

• Possess strong communication skills – both the ability to consider health service related needs and perspectives of patients and families, as well as the ability to listen to others. Accommodation/ support will be made for those with communication challenges.
• Ability to see the big picture
• Comfortable speaking in a group setting
• Ability to work collaboratively with other patient and families and healthcare providers
• Demonstrate understanding of Health PEI and have a genuine interest in ensuring the patient and family experience is the best it can be 
• Demonstrate willingness to commit time and energy to the work as well as provide feedback for evaluation.
• Demonstrate a commitment to a collaborative and constructive approach to quality improvement and person- and family-centered care

Opportunities

The patient/family partner will support Health PEI in many ways including:

• sharing your story;
• participating on quality improvement teams;
• working on short term quality improvement projects;
• reviewing patient education/information materials;
• reviewing policies from a patient /family perspective; and,
• participating on our Patient /Family Advisory committee.  

A patient/family perspective can help us understand if questions and fears are being properly addressed, care is being tailored to specific needs, patients and families are feeling safe and heard and that the health system is working effectively.

Reimbursement for mileage expenses will be provided in accordance with the applicable policies. 

How to apply

Fill out the online application. 

Contact

For further information about this volunteer role or the various committees, contact:

Laurie Shaw
Health PEI     
Phone: (902)368-4788 
Email: laurieshaw@ihis.org