Senior Advisor - EMS Violence Prevention

Alberta Health Services (AHS) is seeking a Senior Advisor, EMS Violence Prevention to lead initiatives that enhance the safety, well-being, and resilience of EMS professionals across the province. This critical role will drive the development, implementation, and evaluation of strategies to prevent and address workplace violence, specifically focusing on Type II patient-to-worker interactions. If you're passionate about creating positive change, enhancing safety protocols, and ensuring the health and mental well-being of EMS workers, this is your chance to contribute to a safer, healthier work environment. As the Senior Advisor, EMS Violence Prevention, you will be responsible for the design and execution of integrated violence prevention programs that align with the AHS Violence Prevention Strategy. You will lead efforts to minimize patient-to-worker violence and harassment through comprehensive, system-wide approaches that encompass prevention, intervention, and post-incident strategies. This role works closely with key stakeholders across AHS, EMS, and external partners, including senior leadership, Workplace Health and Safety, and protective services, to promote a culture of safety and respect for all EMS professionals. We believe that safe, supported workers are the foundation for providing exceptional care. This is your opportunity to influence positive change, strengthen workplace culture, and enhance the safety and well-being of EMS professionals throughout Alberta.

Key responsibilities include: Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to implement effective violence prevention strategies. Engage with EMS leadership, AHS Workplace Health & Safety, AHS Protective Services, and other critical partners to ensure alignment and success. Program Development & Implementation: Design and execute systems-focused programs to prevent violence in the EMS workforce. This includes addressing workplace environment factors, promoting quality patient experiences, and managing violence-related data and communication strategies. Prevention & Risk Mitigation: Develop and implement protocols to prevent and reduce violence escalations, focusing on known risks and necessary mitigations. This includes initiatives such as trauma-informed care, risk assessments, and AHS's Behavioral Safety Program. Post-Incident Support & Strategy: Build a workplace strategy that minimizes the harm caused by violence, ensuring robust post-incident interventions. Contribute to risk assessments, safety plans, medical control protocols, incident investigations, and debriefings to improve primary and secondary prevention efforts. Program Evaluation: Measure the effectiveness of implemented programs and strategies, continuously improving approaches to workplace violence prevention based on data and feedback. This position is vital to AHS's ongoing commitment to ensuring the physical and psychological safety of EMS workers. The work you do will directly impact the safety and retention of over 4,300 frontline EMS practitioners, helping them to work in a safer environment, ultimately improving the quality of care they provide.

Completion of post-secondary education in a health care profession or a related field. Minimum 2 years' experience in a leadership capacity. Project Management training. Prosci change Management training or equivalent. Minimum 5 years’ experience working as a paramedic. This position includes oversight of programming that addresses and supports staff experiences of patient-to-worker harassment and violence. The incumbent must display strong mental resiliency and demonstrate proactive and continuous self-care practices, including maintaining appropriate professional boundaries to ensure mitigation of compassion fatigue/burnout.

Demonstrated ability to advise and coach leaders and employees. Demonstrated ability to manage change and create innovative solutions for complex and diverse issues. Demonstrated skills/experience in leading program development, change management, stakeholder engagement and project management. Advanced knowledge of the safe workplace culture challenges facing paramedic organizations. Public speaking and facilitation skills. Collaborative engagement skills and proven ability to foster relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Valid Alberta Class 5 Operators License with no more than 6 demerits in accordance with AHS EMS Fleet policies and procedures.

Minimum 2 years’ experience leading a safety/change management project in healthcare/government environment Minimum 2 years experience in a leadership capacity Registered with the Alberta College of Paramedics Training or experience with trauma informed practices A combination of education, skills and experience may be considered.