Patient Engagement Specialist, Saskatchewan Centre for Patient-Oriented Research

Primary Purpose: The Saskatchewan Centre for Patient-Oriented Research’s vision is working together for a healthier Saskatchewan through patient-oriented research (POR). POR engages people with living and lived experience (PWLLE), and those around them (family, friends, and community), in health research. PWLLE and their communities bring vital experiences to research teams, which include health professionals, administrators and researchers. The findings of POR inform and improve an ever-responsive Learning Healthcare System (LHS).

Nature of Work: Reporting to the Executive Director, the SCPOR Patient Engagement Specialist supports the ongoing work of meaningfully engaging PWLLE in POR projects and governance within a Learning Health system.

The Patient Engagement (PE) Specialist is a committed facilitator who supports the collaboration of PWLLE and healthcare researchers in Saskatchewan. Their primary role is to provide support for meaningful PWLLE engagement in POR through recruitment, training and coaching, ensuring the vision and values of SCPOR are upheld and PWLLE are active, equal, and respected team members. The PE Specialist will assume an ongoing role supporting POR teams throughout the research cycle, from assisting in identifying PWLLE priorities and outcomes, to promoting active knowledge mobilization once findings and/or recommendations have been determined.

The Patient Engagement Specialist will create strong working relationships with patient partners and with key institutional and organizational partners, including researchers, trainees, health service providers, post-secondary organizations, and SCPOR partners including: Saskatchewan Health Authority, eHealth Saskatchewan, Health Quality Council, First Nations University of Canada, Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation, University of Saskatchewan, University of Regina, Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, Saskatchewan Ministry of Health, and Saskatchewan Ministry of Advanced Education. Building and maintaining strong working relationships with Patient Engagement components in provincial SPOR Units and national SPOR Entities in Canada is also an expectation.

Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Executive Director, this position has responsibility for the continued development and implementation of patient engagement strategies and operations to ensure Patient-Partners are meaningfully engaged in Patient-Oriented Research and the Learning Health System (LHS).

Key responsibilities include:

• Building capacity for research coordinators in academic institutions to support POR
• Recruiting and matching PWLLE on health research teams
• Facilitating /supporting PWLLE meaningful engagement on POR teams within an LHS
• Collaborating with researchers to develop, implement and evaluate patient engagement plans throughout the research cycle
• Maintaining consistent contact with PWLLE throughout the POR process to ensure respectful relationships and meaningful PWLLE engagement has been ongoing
• Providing appropriate and relevant training and mentorship to both PWLLE and research teams to ensure collaborative and productive POR occurs
• Creating, generating, and maintaining PWLLE engagement documents and records
• Organizing, coordinating, and co- leading POR related meetings and events for trainees, researchers, and clinicians.
• Building and fostering collaborative relationships between SCPOR component areas, researchers, trainees, partners, and community organizations, as well as national SPOR units and Entities
• Providing support to staff and organizational partners in patient engagement training, mentorship, and evaluation
• Providing coaching to trainees, particularly in meaningful patient engagement, team charter completion, and budgeting
• Supporting the use of current PWLLE engagement tools, programs marketing materials
• Collaborating on the co-creation of new PWLLE engagement programs, tools, and marketing materials
• Evaluating PWLLE engagement strategies, programming, and tools
• Identifying and innovating solutions to PWLLE engagement issues on research teams
• Expanding knowledge of Patient-Oriented Research and the Learning Health System by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, and establishing personal networks
• Provide regular Patient-Engagement status updates to the SCPOR Patient Engagement Team, SCPOR leadership and SCPOR partners
• Other duties as assigned based on organizational priorities

Education: A Master’s degree in the health sciences or social sciences, or related discipline.

Experience: A minimum of five (5) years’ relevant work experience or a combination of education and experience will be considered.

A strong understanding of academia, health research and the research process would be considered a significant asset.

Experience working in a diverse and inclusive environment is required.

Skills:

• Excellent expressive and receptive communication skills: both strong written and spoken English language skills are required
• Excellent relationship building and people skills; respect for diversity; sensitivity, and empathy; cultural safety
• Strong networking skills
• Excellent working knowledge of the research cycle
• Strong working knowledge of instructional methods and training strategies
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team
• Ability to build collaborations with a variety of stakeholders and within varying work cultures
• Ability to exercise professional judgment, tact, diplomacy, and confidentiality
• Ability to interact diplomatically and professionally with SCPOR staff and SCPOR’s partners and stakeholders
• Ability to strategically set goals and align corresponding activities
• Ability to manage deadlines, multiple demands and frequently shifting priorities
• Ability to apply critical thinking skills
• Ability to self-reflect and self-improve
• Proficient use of meeting software, such as Zoom and Microsoft
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office Software including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, SmartSheet and pdf software

This position is in scope of the Administrative and Supervisory Personnel Association (ASPA).

Department: Saskatchewan Centre for Patient-Oriented Research
Status: Term until March 31, 2028 with the possibility of extension

Employment Group: ASPA
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0

Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $69,035.00 - 107,868.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

Salary Family (if applicable): Specialist Professional

Salary Phase/Band: Phase 2

Posted Date: 5/6/2026

Closing Date: 5/19/2026 at 6:00 pm CST
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: May be eligible for hybrid work under the terms of USask's Alternative Workspace Guidelines

The University of Saskatchewan aspires to be what the world needs and embraces equity, diversity and inclusion as foundational to excellence and innovation. We actively seek to create a welcoming environment where all individuals feel empowered to thrive, contribute, and grow. Applications from equity-deserving groups are encouraged as part of our ongoing efforts to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve: EDI Framework for Action**.**
We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and the Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation.
The University of Saskatchewan provides an accessible and inclusive workplace. Should you require support through any stage of the recruitment process, please contact usfor assistance.