Title: Patient and Family Advisor

Department: Patient Experience and Quality 

Reports to: Patient- and Family-Centred Care Coordinator and works closely with the Co-Chairs of the Patient and Family Advisory Council, and the chair/lead of any committees or groups to which the Patient and Family Advisor is participating. 

Position summary: The role of a Patient and Family Advisor is to work in partnership with the hospital to create a truly patient- and family-centred care environment and experience. Patient- and Family-Centred Care is an approach to planning, delivery and evaluation of health care that is grounded in mutually beneficial partnerships among patients, families and health care providers. (Institute for Patient- and Family-Centered Care, 2010). 

This is an advisory role that will influence hospital decisions. Patient and Family Advisors will provide the patient and family perspective across a wide range of hospital initiatives, programs, services and policies. Patient and Family Advisors are expected to be objective and balanced in their approach and provide the patient and/or family perspective. 

Patient and Family Advisors must be a patient, or be a family member or caregiver of a patient, who has received care at North York General Hospital within the past 2 years. 

Responsibilities: A Patient and Family Advisor may be part of 1 or more of the following groups: 

Patient and Family Advisory Council is the steering committee for the Patient and Family Advisory Program at North York General. Members of the council serve a 2-year term with the option to renew. Patient and Family Advisors who are not on the Advisory Council, may attend council meetings and participate in the discussion about care and services patients and families receive. (For more information, please refer to Patient and Family Advisory Council Terms of Reference)

Corporate, Strategic, Program Committees and/or Focus Groups: Patient and Family Advisors work with teams on various projects, to enhance patient- and family-centred care throughout the hospital. Patient and Family Advisors can join committees and working groups that best match their particular interest or relevant experience. 2 

Patient and Family Advisors work with teams on various projects, to enhance patient- and family-centred care throughout the hospital. Patient and Family Advisors can join committees and working groups that best match their particular interest or relevant experience. 

Qualities:

  • A passion for enhancing the health care experience for patients and families
  • Able to share insights and information about their experiences to help evolve programs, services and hospital priorities
  • Good listener
  • Respects other people's opinions and perspectives
  • Able to share thoughts and opinions in a group setting
  • Open to see beyond their own personal experience
  • Able to promote the image and mission of North York General through positive interaction with staff, physicians, volunteers and the community
  • Read, write and speak English

Qualifications:

  • Patient and Family Advisors must be a patient, or be a family member or caregiver of a patient, who has received care at North York General within the past two years
  • Interest in gaining an understanding of Patient- and Family-Centred Care
  • Knowledge of North York General's mission, vision and values
  • Must be able to commit a minimum of four hours per month 

Approved by: Patient and Family Advisory Council, August 14, 2013