Legal Counsel, Investigations, Discipline & Monitoring

Position Summary

This role encompasses a broad range of responsibilities within the College’s IDM Department to support the fair and transparent processing of complaints, statutory reports and other matters under investigation. Reporting to the Director, IDM, the individual will oversee legal matters in accordance with the Health Professions Act (HPA), to be replaced with the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA) on April 1, 2026, College Bylaws, policies and procedures and other relevant legislation.

This position will primarily support the intake, investigation and monitoring teams within the Department and support Inquiry Committee Panels (Panels) in fulfilling their statutory mandate. Supervisory & Reporting Responsibilities/Relationships

Reports to: Director, Investigations, Discipline, & Monitoring

Direct supervision: N/A Duties & Responsibilities

Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

Intake

1. Advise and respond to requests for legal advice and opinions relating to intake and triage regarding:

o Jurisdiction, sufficiency of complaints/reports, acceptance of anonymous complaints/reports, concurrent proceedings, combining and separating matters, adjournments and delays o Delegation, alternative dispute resolution options, and public notification requirements

• Represent and advise the College in extraordinary action (written) hearings under s. 35 of the HPA before a Panel

Investigation

• Advise and respond to requests for legal advice and opinions relating to issues that arise in processing and investigating complaints and statutory reports
• Assist College staff with legal interpretation of Bylaws, Standards and Code of Ethics related to IDM matters and provide feedback on any proposed amendments to same
• Inquiry Committee Support

5. Attend, as needed, Inquiry Committee Panel meetings to serve as “Staff Lead” or provide legal advice and support regarding:

a. Legislative, bylaw, standards and codes of ethics identification and interpretation, legal precedents and procedural fairness, b. Jurisdiction, scope, concurrent proceedings, adjournments, delays, investigation adequacy, and provisional assessments, c. Statutory options for interim orders and disposition decisions, and fulsome reasons, and d. Charging standard, prosecution standard, and citation particulars

• Act as, assist or provide instructions to College counsel on matters forwarded to the Director of Discipline (HPOA)
• Decision & Monitoring
• Assist in reviewing and drafting undertakings, reprimands, citations, orders, consent agreements, and public notices
• Represent and advise the College in matters before the Health Professions Review Board and the Supreme Court related to panel decisions
• Other Responsibilities
• Assist in creating new policies, processes and procedures under HPOA
• Advise on matters concerning the unauthorized use of protected titles and the unauthorized practice of restricted activities and identify those requiring legal action
• Promote teamwork and sharing appropriate information with staff in a timely manner
• Perform such other duties, functions, and responsibilities as assigned by the Director, IDM, Chief Regulatory Officer or Registrar (or the Registrar’s delegate)
• Identify and implement systemic changes needed to fulfil the College’s commitment to cultural safety and humility as well as social justice initiatives
• Qualifications/Skills

Required skills and qualifications include:

• LLB and member in good standing with the Law Society of British Columbia or eligibility for membership in same
• Minimum five-year call with direct experience in health profession regulation
• Knowledge of administrative law, procedural fairness and familiarity with medicolegal issues
• Ability to handle a heavy, complex, diverse caseload in a fast-paced legal environment
• Ability to work respectfully with staff at all levels and with committee members
• Ability to distill and analyze applicable law and to apply it to facts as presented
• Ability to review large quantities of evidence and procedures to advise on outcomes
• Ability to negotiate regulatory outcomes with defense counsel and unrepresented parities to achieve conclusion that will withstand HPRB scrutiny
• Ability to deliver timely legal advice to staff and committee members that is thorough, accurate, and comprehensible
• Ability to comprehend, retain and apply a body of law to advise on issues arising
• Superior interpersonal skills, able to work with colleagues to author and achieve policies and procedures that will withstand legal challenge
• Ability to multi-task within own area of responsibility and in support of other departments as required
• Ability to quickly identify legal issues and provide practical advice
• Ability to use initiative and take appropriate action when unforeseen circumstances arise
• Superior drafting and legal research skills and excellent writing skills
• Excellent leadership and communication skills
• Ability to work with a high degree of autonomy and collegially and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment
• Strong commitment to public safety and upholding the standards of professional practice.
• Awareness of the Health Professions Act and the Health Professions and Occupations Act and their application to the work of CHCPBC.
• Awareness of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019) and Action Plan (2022-2027) and their application to the work of CHCPBC, including awareness of a distinctions-based approach related to Indigenous Peoples.
• Awareness of and commitment to learning and understanding the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action (2015), the In Plain Sight Report’s 24 recommendations specific to healthcare in BC (2020), and the 231 Calls for Justice in Reclaiming Power and Place: National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Final Report (2019) and how they intersect across the health care system.
• Commitment to ongoing learning related to Indigenous cultural safety and humility.

Salary & Benefits

• The full-time compensation for this position is $125,000-$165,000 annually based on a 37.5-hour work week.
• The starting salary will be determined based on factors such as the successful candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, experience; salaries of other employees in the same salary range; market conditions and other relevant factors.
• The College provides competitive compensation and an attractive benefit package.
• We have a flexible work environment that includes a hybrid/remote work model with an assigned schedule. We offer opportunities for personal and professional growth; provide flexibility; strive for work-life balance; and provide an excellent and dynamic work environment where innovation, teamwork and creativity are highly valued.

The College deeply values and celebrates diversity, understanding that it is not just about representation, but about the active inclusion, empowerment, and support of individuals with a wide range of skills, backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences. We acknowledge that diversity is essential to our success and resilience, and we strive to build an environment where every individual is recognized, respected, and provided with the space to thrive. We honour and actively support employees who identify with a broad spectrum of communities, including but not limited to, those who self-identify as First Nations, Metis, Inuit/Inuk, Black, racialized persons, 2SLGBTQIA+, gender diverse, disabled, and neurodivergent individuals. Our commitment goes beyond representation - we aim to create a culture of belonging, where diverse perspectives are not only heard but celebrated, and where people feel safe, valued, and supported. We are dedicated to fostering an open, welcoming and inclusive work environment where all employees can bring their full, authentic selves to their work. We recognize that true diversity requires the active dismantling of systemic barriers and the continuous support of equity deserving groups. As a College, we aspire to employ, support, and empower staff who reflect the rich diversity of the communities we serve across British Columbia, ensuring that our team is representative and responsive to the varied needs and lived experiences of those who rely on our services.