Communications Consultant

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Director, Supplementary Benefits (AADL Program), the Communications Consultant is integral to fulfilling the mandate of the Alberta Aids to Daily Living (AADL) Program, which serves to provide basic medical equipment and supplies to meet the needs of Albertans living with long-term disabilities, chronic and terminal conditions.

The Communications Consultant provides specialized knowledge, clinical expertise, leadership, strategic advice and project management related to speech generating communication devices (SGCD) and voice restoration and electrolarynx (VRE) benefits, provided by AADL.This position works closely with other clinical experts and program managers responsible for other AADL benefit areas, as well as a business unit and client services team, who collaboratively ensure the effective and timely delivery of benefits and services for AADL clients, vendors, authorizers and other key stakeholders.

Role Responsibilities:
The Communication Consultant will be accountable for the following key responsibilities; 
1) Policy Development and Interpretation:
•    Develops eligibility criteria for the provision of AADL communication benefits and provides ongoing monitoring and updating to ensure eligibility and program policy is in accordance with overall AADL mandate.
•    Ensures clients, related health professionals, manufacturers, suppliers and vendors are consulted, as needed, on policy changes, product changes and accurately informed of policies.
•    Provides Director and Senior Leadership with recommendations on communication benefit changes, and conducts analysis on financial, client, program and stakeholder implications for recommended change.

2) Program Management and Program Delivery:
•    Uses specialized clinical knowledge to ensure accurate, effective and efficient delivery of program benefits.
•    Reviews and maintains the AADL Approved Product List (APL) for communication benefits to ensure it meets client and program needs.
•    Conducts regular evaluation of new communication products, supplies and technologies for possible changes to APLs.

3) Benefit Authorizations: 
•    Reviews and adjudicates prior approval requests for SGCD benefits to ensure accountability and due diligence is applied and eligibility is aligned with policy.
•    Reviews and adjudicates all quantity and frequency review requests for both VRE and SGCD benefits.
•    Reviews and manages the approval process for AADL authorizers of communication benefits and the establishment and maintenance of SGCD Service Centers.
•    Reviews and manages applications for suppliers and vendors of communication equipment for SGCD and VRE benefits. Completes audits as needed to ensure accountability and equipment provision.

Role Responsibilities continued

4) Communication and Issues Management: 
•    Using diplomacy, tact, and high-level communication skills, collaborate with internal and external stakeholders on current and emerging issues.
•    Escalate issues as appropriate in a timely manner to management for decision-making.
•    Communicate information through oral and written briefings, such as e-mail, letters, briefing notes, action requests, training and educational materials.
•    Research and prepare briefing notes, correspondence and other action requests on a communication Benefits.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:
https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf

•    Develop Networks: Makes working with a wide range of parties an imperative. Creates impactful relationships with the right people. Ensures needs of varying groups are represented. Goes beyond to meet stakeholder needsand ensures all needs are heard and understood.
•    System Thinking: Integrates broader context into planning. Plans for how current situation is affected by broader trends, integrates issues, political environment and risks when considering possile actions. Supports organization vision and goals through strategy. Addresses behvaiours that challenge progress. 
•    Agility: Proactively incorporates change into processes. Creates opportunities  for improvement. Is aware of and adapts to changing priorities. Remains objective under pressure and supports others to, manage their emotions. Proactively explains impact of change on roles, and integrates change in existing work. Readily adapts plans and practices. 
•    Build Collaborative Environments: Involvesa wide group of stakeholders when working on outcomes. Involves stakeholders and shares resources. Positively resolves conflict through coaching and facilitated discussion.Uses enthusiasm to motivate and guide others. Acknowledges and works with diverse perspectives for achieving outcomes.

Qualifications

•    University degree in a health related field and four (4) years of related experience.
•    Must be a regulated member of the Alberta College of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists or the Alberta College of Occupational Therapists. 
•    Equivalency: related diploma and Six  (6) years of related experience.
•    Masters degree in a health related field and three (3) years of related experience.

Requirements: 
•    Requires specialized education, training and background in the needs of clients with complex communication needs coupled with extensive clinical experience and broad understanding of communication solutions. Preference will be given for registered Speech-Languate Pathologist or registered Occupational Therapists professions.

Knowledge: 
•    Diverse clinical experience as a regulated health professional.
•    Strong working knowledge of computers and information technology systems.
•    A strong working knowledge of the Alberta Aids to Daily Living Program.
•    Working knowledge of Alberta's legislation and policy related to health systems and AADL
•    Strong working knowledge of AADL communication benefits, policies and program manuals.

Skills:
•    Experience in leadership roles and functions.
•    Experience working with governments (municipal, provincial and federal).
•    Experience conducting research and critical appraisals of evidence.
•    Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and oral.
•    Strong critical analysis skills.
•    Conflict resolution skills and project and time management skills

Abilities:
•    Able to work independently.
•    Able to work effectively as a team member.
•    Ability to lead projects and provide clear, concise updates to leadership.
•    Establish positive working relationships with varied stakeholders.

A cover letter outlining how your experience relates to the qualifications of this role is required.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. 

Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards

Notes

This competition will be used to staff ONE Part-time position.

Hours of Work:
7.25 hours daily/ 21.75 hours weekly, Monday to Friday

Location:
ATB Place North, 10025 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta.

Other information:
•    The primary location for this role is Edmonton, but other locations in Alberta may be considered.  
•    This position maybe used to fill future vacancies across the Government of Alberta, at equal or lower classification and salary. 
•    Top candidates may be required to undergo security screening

In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Also, please indicate whether your work experience is casual, part time or full time.

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in. 

Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees.

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca.
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool - https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.