Mindfulness Instructor

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.
Job Summary
The BC Brain Wellness Program (BWP) intends to change the way British Columbians live and age with chronic brain conditions. We have created a comprehensive and integrated approach to brain wellness around lifestyle interventions as the foundation of brain health, complementary to and integrated with traditional medical care and with the potential to improve our current healthcare system.
Our Vision is Brain Wellness, Beyond All Boundaries.
Our Missions is we are leveraging the collective power of clinical care, lifestyle programs, education, and research to design a comprehensive and integrated approach to brain wellness for people with chronic brain conditions, care partners and healthy agers.
The BWP is an interactive effort to establish clinically relevant lifestyle approaches to complement medical treatment in the clinics at the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health. By combining clinical care with interventions that support healthier lifestyles, The BWP team hopes to improve and sustain quality of life for people living with brain disorders and their care partners, as well as to offer healthy agers the opportunity to enhance their wellness and engage in preventative lifestyle measures.
The BWP offers 28 virtual classes for individuals living with chronic brain conditions, their care partners and healthy agers. Majority of the classes are exercise based with a range of intensity levels and modalities including: chair-based classes, strength and balance, yoga, functional strength and interval training. We have a user base of approximately 2,000 individuals, delivering over 2,500 hours of free programming to people across British Columbia.
The position is for a contract Mindfulness instructor to virtually deliver mindfulness classes to participants of the BWP and relevant research studies such as IMPACT360. Scope of work includes preparing for class, facilitating an engaging class that is inclusive and troubleshooting as necessary. It is expected that the instructor shows up for each class on time, is prepared, displays in-depth knowledge of the topic, is inclusive and approachable to all participants, and is able to use teleconferencing technology (e.g., Zoom), has the infrastructure (e.g., stable internet connection, webcam, microphone, etc.) to conduct the class remotely. The individual will be interacting with people with a variety of different chronic brain conditions (e.g., Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, MS, etc.) and will be required to safely offer their classes.

Organizational Status
The BWP is seeking an individual with 2+ years of related experience to join our team as a contract Mindfulness Instructor. The individual will work closely with the Program Manager, Research Coordinator, and the multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals and research staff at the Center for Brain Health to contribute to our current programs. They will report directly to the Program Manager and the Research Coordinator.

Work Performed

Instruct mindfulness classes for program and research classes in remote setting over Zoom (some classes may be in-person) following MBSR-style intervention.
Prepare appropriate mindfulness class programming to facilitate an engaging class that is inclusive.
Work closely with the program manager and research coordinator in the design, execution, and evaluation of mindfulness program for BWP and research studies.
Other related tasks assigned by the program manager and research coordinator.

These duties and responsibilities will be performed independently under the general supervision of the Program Manager and Research Coordinator.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Poor decisions/errors in judgment may compromise the BWP, breech the trust and confidentiality of participants, and may result in financial loss to the Director, the Centres and the University. Even simple typographical mistakes may result in distress to stakeholders and be damaging to the program and the reputation of the team and Director. They may influence the ability of the Director to meet critical deadlines and affect funding applications and ongoing program obligations.

Supervision Received
The Mindfulness instructor will work closely with the Program Manager and Research Coordinator. Individual will report to Program Manager and Research Coordinator.

Supervision Given
None
Minimum Qualifications

Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own
Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications
Undergraduate degree (completed or in process) in a relevant discipline or Graduation from a technical college or institute. Previous experience teaching group mindfulness classes is required. Excellent interpersonal skills are required as the applicant must be sensitive to the issues faced by individuals living with neurological disease and be able to communicate compassionately with patient participants. The need for accuracy in reporting, and attention to detail cannot be overstated. The applicant needs to be well organized event planning, scheduling, and record keeping. The desire to make a positive difference in the lives of participants and their families is essential. The applicant must enjoy working as part of a large multidisciplinary team. However, they will also have the ability to work independently (albeit under general supervision) once they have demonstrated the ability to show initiative. The applicant must be adept in written and verbal English. Computers skills are of crucial importance: Word Processing, Internet (Zoom), email experience is required. Standard Level First Aid, and CPR C are assets.