University Health Network (UHN) is looking for an experienced professional to fill the key role of NORC Coordinator

Transforming lives and communities through excellence in care, discovery and learning

The University Health Network, Canada’s largest research teaching hospital, brings together over 16,000 employees, more than 1,200 physicians, 8,000+ students, and many volunteers. UHN is a caring, creative place where amazing people are amazing in the world.

UHN recently launched the NORC Innovation Centre (https://norcinnovationcentre.ca/) a first-of-its-kind centre advancing new models of social connection and accessible care for aging adults living in the community. Our mission is to advance a new model of integrated health and social care in naturally occurring retirement communities (NORC), and to develop community-led solutions that provide new options for aging in place with dignity and choice.

Lead partners at UHN, OpenLab and Connected Care, are working to advance this mission. This role will join the NORC Innovation Centre with a focus on delivering an integrated health and social care experience for aging adults. Our goal is to improve resident satisfaction and overall health outcomes including supporting individuals in staying at home or as close to home as possible.

If you have a passion for improving senior care and the desire and energy to make changes in health and social, please consider joining us. We encourage applicants with a diversity of lived and professional experiences. Experience with language and cultural barriers and diverse abilities, anti-racism or anti-oppression training, or other relevant experiences is an asset.

Union: Non-Union
Site: Connected Care, Travel between NORC building sites will be required
Department: NORC Innovation Centre
Reports to: Operations Manager
Hours: 37.5 hours/week
Salary: $31.86 – $39.83 per hour ( To commensurate with experience and consistent with UHN compensation policy )
Shifts: Primarily Monday to Friday daytime hours with some flexibility to meet program needs, including evening and weekends.
Status: Permanent Full-Time (contingent on continued funding)
Closing Date: May 17, 2024

Reporting to the NIC Operations Manager, the NORC Coordinator will champion the NORC Model of integrated health and social care in buildings that have a high density of aging adults by working to build and maintain relationships of trust, empathy, and mutual support with aging adults, and support and grow a thriving resident-led community. This role will be primarily responsible for supporting aging adults to continue living safely with dignity and independence by creating socially connected communities. Working alongside resident leaders the role includes planning, developing, organizing, and coordinating in-building programming, responding to aging adult’s needs, liaising with NORC service partners, and facilitating inclusive community-building activities.  This includes coordinating site governance, developing policies and procedures and collaborating with resident volunteers. Performing cross-functional duties, as assigned or requested; and performing other duties consistent with the job classification, as required.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• In collaboration with the Operations Manager or delegate, plans, organizes, and coordinates the activities in the NORC Site to create and grow an aging-in-place community, including resident-led activities and participatory decision-making with residents,      
• Works to strengthen bonds between residents and  encourages a culture of mutual support at each NORC site through the facilitation of dialogue and events
• Collaborates with appropriate partners within and outside the University Health Network to support the NORC Integrated Health and Social Care Model.
• In collaboration with the NIC team, supports the discovery of resident’s health, social, and wellness needs
• Supports residents’ social participation and monitors functional/cognitive decline.
• Recognizes the need for a higher level of support for aging adults, and connects residents to UHN integrated care services or other pre-defined services in the site’s catchment area.
• Consults with building management when concerned about a member's unplanned absence
• Ensures that learning and navigation resources are available to assist aging adults with their health information needs.
• When requested by the resident, assists in navigating the health care system: referring or connecting to appropriate health and community services. In collaboration with the NORC Clinician and clinical team follows up as requested.
• Supports participatory decision-making and co-design processes
• Facilitates and organizes social, recreational, and health-related activities    
• Provides support with activities that enable senior resident’s continued independence, such as adjusting the TV remote, opening jars, and other similar duties
• Works to build neighbour connections and supports ongoing learning.
• Supports the selection of new sites, including interviewing, information sharing, and development.
• Training resident volunteer groups on community capacity-building and ongoing sustainability
• Assists the Operations Manager or delegate in developing and administering policies, procedures, and programs to ensure smooth day-to-day operations at the NORC sites.
• Works in compliance with the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations in performing duties in a safe manner and follows all health and safety policies, procedures and legislation including wearing the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required
• Acts as the principal contact for the building’s management team for all matters relating to NORC residents and escalates any issues or concerns to the Operations Manager or delegate.
• Works collaboratively with approved research teams and contributes to ongoing research studies as needed.
• Recommends, orders, catalogues, and processes NORC site assets.
• In collaboration with the Operations Manager or delegate, works closely with the NORC Site residents and the NIC team to continuously receive feedback about the various programs and services
• Engages with key stakeholders and facilitates collaborative support networks at NORC sites.
• Ongoing documentation and reporting on resident interactions and programming outcomes, maintaining confidentiality per UHN policies

• Demonstrated leadership skills, including problem-solving, critical thinking, conflict resolution, and the ability to understand social dynamics and navigate emerging tensions, effectively persuade/influence the behavior of others
• Completion  of a relevant degree/diploma or similar knowledge gained by direct experience in working with aging adults in the community
• Minimum 5 years of experience working with aging adults in the community with a focus on developing community connections in and among aging adults
• Comfortable with emergent ideas, rapid change, and working with changing priorities and timelines
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills
• Excellent time management and stress management skills are required.
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity awareness and skills
• Fluency in English (verbal and written) is required. Fluency in other languages would be an asset
• Computer literacy and basic proficiency is required with a demonstrated willingness to learn and adapt to new technology including MS Office products (Word, Outlook and Excel) and Google suite, and video conference tools such as Microsoft Teams
•  A valid driver’s license, adequate insurance (personal automobile policy with a minimum $1 million liability limit), and use of a reliable vehicle that qualifies for physical damage coverage are required.
• First Aid and CPR-C or ability to obtain such within 60 days from the start date.

Why join UHN? 

In addition to working alongside some of the most talented and inspiring healthcare professionals in the world, UHN offers a wide range of benefits, programs and perks. It is the comprehensiveness of these offerings that makes it a differentiating factor, allowing you to find value where it matters most to you, now and throughout your career at UHN. 

• Competitive offer packages
• Government organization and a member of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP https://hoopp.com/) 
• Close access to Transit and UHN shuttle service 
• A flexible work environment  
• Opportunities for development and promotions within a large organization 
• Additional perks (multiple corporate discounts including: travel, restaurants, parking, phone plans, auto insurance discounts, on-site gyms, etc.) 

Current UHN employees must have successfully completed their probationary period, have a good employee record along with satisfactory attendance in accordance with UHN's attendance management program, to be eligible for consideration.

All applications must be submitted before the posting close date.

UHN uses email to communicate with selected candidates.  Please ensure you check your email regularly.

Please be advised that a Criminal Record Check may be required of the successful candidate. Should it be determined that any information provided by a candidate be misleading, inaccurate or incorrect, UHN reserves the right to discontinue with the consideration of their application.

All UHN Employees are required to be fully vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine series, approved by Health Canada or the World Health Organization, as a condition of hire. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination will be required. Should you be the successful candidate, you will be required to comply with UHN’s mandatory Vaccination Policy that is in effect.

UHN is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive recruitment process and workplace. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their requirements known.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.