Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To conduct scheduled and ad hoc inspections of land and air ambulance and dispatch services throughout the province to evaluate compliance with the Ambulance Act, Regulation 257/00 and the standards thereunder, and to identify possible mismanagement.

Duties / Responsibilities :

Within the Emergency Health Services Branch, with a mandate to ensure and regulate municipal provision of land ambulance services and contracted air ambulance services, and act as a focus in the Ministry for all emergency health issues, the Inspector makes an important contribution to the maintenance of ambulance service standards and the management of risk through the effective inspection and assessment of ambulance and dispatch services. Responsible for: 1. Conducts routine inspections of ambulance and dispatch services on both a scheduled and an ad hoc, unannounced basis according to priorities established by the Co-ordinator based on assessment of factors such as review and investigation findings, complaint patterns. 2. Evaluates operational aspects of ambulance and dispatch services in relation to established standards, criteria and practices including: patient care practices, health and safety practices, proper certification of personnel, condition of vehicles and equipment, cleanliness and sanitation. Utilizes various methods including: examining relevant documentation, accompanying personnel on ambulance calls, checking vehicles and equipment, taking specimens for bacteriological examination, and interviewing personnel. 3. Evaluates administrative practices of ambulance and dispatch services to ensure adherence to standards, policies and procedures by reviewing labour relations practices, employee documentation, financial records, accident and incident reports and other relevant records and documents. 4. Identifies areas of non-compliance or improper practices and gathers further information on areas of concern. Prepares reports for Co-ordinator with supportable information and conclusions on non-compliance and deficiencies; provides recommendations for further action, e.g. investigation in cases of suspected fraud, mismanagement or patient care incompetence. 5. Provides guidance and information to ambulance service providers and dispatch personnel on Ministry standards and policies and provides advice regarding corrective measures for areas of non-compliance or deficiency during each inspection. Follows up on previous inspection issues and, if appropriate corrective action has not been taken, advises Co-ordinator with recommendations. Acts as a witness at judicial proceedings, if requested. 6. Provides recommendations and input to Branch inspection, certification and review processes as well as emergency health operating policies and legislative guidelines based on inspection findings and conclusions.

Staffing and Licencing :

Valid Ontario Driver's Licence.

Knowledge :

Job requires knowledge of the Emergency Health System in Ontario including: governance, administration, operations, and provincial/municipal processes, ambulance and dispatch service operations and relevant policies, standards, legislation/regulations (e.g. the Ambulance Act) and practices in areas such as patient care, health and safety, vehicles and equipment, cleanliness and sanitation, financial and human resources practices in order to inspect these areas for compliance and provide related advice to ambulance and dispatch service providers. Job requires knowledge of proper inspection practices, i.e. for gathering information, reviewing documentation, interviewing personnel, documenting non-compliance and other issues, preparing reports with supportable information and recommendations. Job requires knowledge of proper inspection practices in order to understand rules of evidence and judicial procedures in order to ensure proper handling of information in cases of suspected fraud, mismanagement or patient care incompetence and to appear at judicial proceedings as a witness when required. Job requires knowledge of computer operation and standard software such as word-processing, database and spreadsheet software in order to access and maintain databases and prepare reports and correspondence.

Skills :

Job requires organization and time management skills to plan, organize and conduct comprehensive inspections of a broad variety of operational and administrative functions within allotted time frames. Job requires initiative, evaluative and analytical skills in order to assess the full range of operational and administrative functions involved in ambulance and dispatch services and identifying specific areas of non-compliance or deficiency and corrective/further action. Oral communication skills are required to: co-ordinate activities and obtain information from ambulance and dispatch service_personnel, explain the application of policies and standards, and advise on corrective action where needed. Written communication skills to document non-compliance, deficiency, and apparent mismanagement issues during inspection and to prepare inspection reports and recommendations for Coordinator. Consultation, client relations and interpersonal skills and tact to deal with ambulance service operators and dispatch managers/personnel when co-ordinating inspection activities and discussing sensitive issues regarding non-compliance or deficiencies.

Freedom of Action :

Job requires working under the general supervision of the Coordinator, Certification and Review within OPS/Branch regulations, policies, standards and guidelines for ambulance and dispatch services. Job requires decision-making in: determining/co-ordinating specific activities related to each inspection, identifying and documenting areas of non-compliance or deficiency in each ambulance/dispatch service, recommending corrective action or other further action (e.g. investigations) to coordinator. Work is reviewed by Coordinator through inspection reports and through regular meetings. Job refers to co-ordinator situations such as inability to complete assignments within prescribed timeframes, serious conflicts with service operators.