Rights Advisor

RIGHTS ADVISOR, INDEPENDENT RIGHTS ADVICE SERVICE

ABOUT THE JOB

   
IRAS Advisor will play a key role in the direct delivery of a new province-wide independent rights advice service for involuntary patients under the Mental Health Act. The IRAS is designed and delivered using a partnership model that brings together multiple organizations and stakeholders, including the Canadian Mental Health Association, the Community Legal Assistance Society, Health Justice, Métis Nation BC, and others.

The service will provide rights information and advice to people who are experiencing involuntary treatment under BC’s Mental Health Act. The services will be delivered virtually, as well as in-person when required, in communities throughout BC through a network of Rights Advisors. Rights Advisors will help people experiencing involuntary treatment, either while detained in a designated facility or in community on extended leave, understand what is happening to them and what their rights are. They will provide assistance and support if the patient chooses to exercise their rights. This role will be for a Rights Advisor at the launch of the IRAS service. It will be foundational to establishing the service as a trustworthy and consistent service in BC.

 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES    

The duties and responsibilities associated with this position are described below.

•    Provide prompt virtual and in-person independent rights advice meetings with people experiencing involuntary treatment under the Mental Health Act that is unbiased, non-judgmental, trauma-informed, culturally safe, and accessible.

•    Ensure that rights advice meetings cover all necessary topics, including:

o    Explaining the meaning of and restrictions involved in being an involuntary patient or a patient under 16 years of age admitted at the request of a parent or guardian, as appropriate.
o    Explaining relevant patient rights under the Mental Health Act.
o    Identifying available options if the patient disagrees with their current situation (e.g., applying for a review panel hearing, making a court application).
o    Explaining options for reporting concerns if they have concerns with the way they have been treated or the care they have received (e.g., complaining to the Patient Care Quality Offices in the health authorities, the Ombudsperson).
o    Assisting the patient to exercise their rights if requested (e.g., apply for a second medical opinion, apply for a review panel hearing, or connect with a legal service provider).

•    Provide referrals to lawyers, advocates, and other supports and resources as appropriate and as possible.
•    Arrange for interpretation, cultural, and accessibility supports as needed.
•    Support the participation of family members and personal supporters as chosen by the patient.
•    Successfully complete initial and ongoing training and development activities.
•    Participate in a virtual community of practice with other Rights Advisors throughout BC.
•    Enter case notes, records, and complete service delivery confirmation forms as required by IRAS service and privacy standards.
•    Maintain appropriate, confidential records and provide information and reports as required.
•    Participate in IRAS complaints process, including resolving problems as needed.

 ABOUT YOU    

•    All Rights Advisors must be independent from designated facilities in BC and from the care, treatment, or supervision of any patients on extended leave. People who are employed by, have privileges at, or provide health and social services at designated facilities under the Mental Health Act and teams with delegated authority over a patient on extended leave are not eligible for the role.

•    In addition, all Rights Advisors must:

o    Successfully complete all initial and ongoing mandatory training required by IRAS.
o    Undergo a Criminal Record Check including Vulnerable Sector.
o    Live within 25km of the detaining facilities in their community, or within a reasonable distance based on location of community.

o    Have access to reliable transportation to be able to attend detaining facilities in their community without incurring significant travel costs.
o    Have exceptional listening skills to support building trust and relationship.
o    Have calm, non-judgmental, accessible, and clear communication skills.

QUALIFICATIONS    

Typical Education, Training, and Experience

•    Diploma in Community Social Service.
•    Recent, related experience of two years.
•    Or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
•    Or other qualifications determined to be reasonable and relevant to the level of work.
•    A valid class 5 driver’s license and reliable vehicle with adequate insurance due to lack of other transportation options in some communities.

Experience and Skills

The following will be prioritized in the selection of Rights Advisors, but are not mandatory:

•    Lived experience of involuntary mental health treatment.
•    Lived or professional experience communicating or working with people with diverse health needs and disabilities, including people with mental health-related disability.
•    Membership in a community or personal experience that will help contribute to the diversity of Rights Advisors in BC.
•    Commitment to centering the patient’s goals and choices in communication and decision-making.
•    Knowledge of and commitment to cultural safety, cultural competence, anti-racism, and reconciliation.
•    Knowledge of systemic inequities related to gender, sex, race, Indigeneity, (dis)ability, substance use, and other aspects of a person’s identity.
•    Commitment to continual learning and understanding our shared history of colonization, the ongoing harms of our colonial past, and the systemic and individual power imbalances present in society as a result.
•    Knowledge of BC’s Mental Health Act.
•    Experience explaining legal information and legal rights.
•    The ability to communicate complex information in variety of ways to meet different accessibility, cultural, or linguistic needs.
•    Experience providing trauma-informed services.
•    A high degree of discretion and commitment to strict confidentiality.
•    Flexibility and comfort in providing persons centered support and navigation of complex systems.
•    Comfort with administrative tasks like scheduling, note-taking, record-keeping, and general organization.
•    Punctuality, the ability to respond promptly to meeting requests, and comfort juggling multiple tasks and appointments; and
•    Comfort with technology including video conferencing, case management, scheduling platforms, and Office 365.
Training and resources provided.

•    Computer, office supplies, and software necessary for the role.
•    Initial training, including in-depth training on the Mental Health Act (on paid time).
•    Ongoing training opportunities, a community of practice with other Rights Advisors, and support as needed.

 WORKING CONDITIONS    

•    The Rights Advisor will be required to travel to detaining facilities in their community for in-person rights advice meetings. The Advisor must have access to reliable transportation to be able to attend detaining facilities in their community without incurring significant travel costs, in some communities this may require a valid class 5 driver’s license and reliable vehicle with adequate insurance due to lack of other transportation options.
•    Mileage and parking reimbursement will be provided in accordance with IRAS policies.
•    The Rights Advisor must be in the community in which they will be providing in-person services; however, it is possible for the position to be remote or hybrid if the applicant has access to secure, stable internet, and a workspace that provides a high degree of privacy and security.
•    Qualified candidates living in the Vancouver Coastal areas will be preferred.
•    Most IRAS meetings will be conducted between 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday. This position is full-time, permanent (1.0 FTE) and 5 days per week (37.5 hours per week).
•    The position is unionized through the Community Bargaining Association (CBA) and the hourly rate is
$31.54 - $33.28.

 HOW TO APPLY    

Please submit your resume along with a cover letter, clearly documenting how you satisfy the requirements outlined in this job posting to [email protected] by 5pm, February 12, 2026.

The subject line should mention “Rights Advisor, IRAS”. We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted to schedule an interview. For more information about CMHA, BC Division, visit our website at www.cmha.bc.ca.   

CMHA, BC Division, is committed to our workforce reflecting the diversity of the communities within which we work. As such, we encourage applications from persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people, people of all sexual orientations and genders, and others who may contribute to the diversity of our staff. Personal experience with mental illness and or addiction, either through self or a loved one, is an asset.

 ABOUT US    

Founded in 1918, The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is a national charity that helps maintain and improve mental health for all Canadians. As the nation-wide leader and champion for mental health and addiction, CMHA helps people access the community resources they need to build resilience and support recovery from mental illness and/or addiction.

We respectfully acknowledge xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), səl̓ilwətaʔɬ
(TsleilWaututh), Lkwungen (Songhees) and Wyomilth (Esquimalt) peoples on whose traditional, unceded lands the CMHA BC offices are located.