PRIVACY SPECIALIST

Inner City Health Associates (ICHA) is a group practice of approximately 60 physicians who provide primary, mental health and palliative care to homeless individuals in downtown Toronto. Specifically, ICHA physicians provide transitional care at over 40 agencies that serve the homeless and precariously housed. In providing these services, ICHA acts as a health information custodian (HIC) for the personal health information (PHI) that it collects from its patients.

To support its physicians, ICHA provides them with access to and use of an electronic medical record, the OSCAR EMR, to document the PHI of their clients. ICHA also makes the EMR available to other health care providers that also provide health care to ICHA’s patients. In making the EMR available to these health care providers, ICHA acts as a health information network provider (HINP) under PHIPA. ICHA has recently undergone a Privacy Impact Assessment and requires the expertise of a Privacy Specialist to assist with the implementation of the recommendations.

INNER CITY HEALTH ASSOCIATES PRIVACY SPECIALIST

Reporting to the Medical Director of Inner City Associates (ICHA), the ICHA Privacy Specialist will support the organisation to improve its compliance with its privacy and security obligations. A key task will be todevelop a framework for information management and privacy and security governance that will lead to the signing of HINP agreements with all theHICs using the ICHA EMR. The position will require close collaboration with the privacy officers of ICHA sites and partners as well as with ICHA staff and members. The privacy specialist will also be responsible for developing training, which addresses the specific custodianship model used by ICHA.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Oversee ICHA’s compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements and standards regarding information security, access, and privacy
  • Lead the development of a framework for information management and privacy and security governance
  • Together with ICHA’s legal counsel, negotiate HINP agreements with all of the HICs using the ICHA EMR
  • Review and revise ICHA’s privacy policies to ensure compliance with the custodianship model developed and to be compliant with ICHA’s obligations under PHIPA
  • Develop tools to assist ICHA agents to effectively communicate to patients on how ICHA and its health care partners who are HICs collect, use and disclosetheir PHI.
  • Develop and implement training modules for ICHA agents (physicians and staff from other agencies) on privacy and security that is specific to ICHA’s model
  • Implement other key recommendations of the PIA
  • Other tasks as required

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor’s degree. Master’s degree preferred. Minimum of 5 years of experience in healthcare privacy and/or information security required.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of privacy and security statutory, regulatory requirements and standards
  • Certified International Privacy Professional (CIPP/C) or related designation an asset.
  • Demonstrated experience with developing and providing a privacy and/or information security awareness and training program.
  • Knowledge in and the ability to apply the principles of project management, and change management
  • Innovative and a key enabler to drive progress and change.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, interpersonal and collaborative skills, and the ability to communicate privacy and security risk-related concepts to technical and nontechnical audiences.
  • Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent analytical skills, the ability to manage multiple projectsunder strict timelines, as well as the ability to work well in demanding, dynamic environment and meet overall objectives.
  • High degree of initiative, dependability, and ability to work with little supervision
  • Ability to perform the essential duties of the job.
  • Commitment to the mission and vision of Inner City Health Associates

Work Environment and Travel

The position will be based at the Inner City Associates Office on 59 Adelaide St E and will require travel to ICHA Sites across the City. The position is a part-time position (0.5-0.6) and is offered with a one-year contract, with possibility for a one-year extension. Please provide salary expectations with your application.

Interested applicants are invited to submit their cover letter and resume via e-mail no later than May 6th, 2016 to:Alexandra Pinto at

While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. No telephone enquiries please.

ICHA reserves the right to withdraw this posting at any stage of the process ahead of issuance of a contract.