Indigenous Patient Navigator, Aboriginal Health - BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre

Indigenous Patient Navigator, Aboriginal Health

BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre

Vancouver BC

The Indigenous Patient Navigator (IPN) supports integration with existing navigational and advocacy support currently provided by community and regional health authority partners and supports Indigenous communities and organizations to improve access to appropriate care. The IPN acts as a resource for both Indigenous clients and healthcare providers to ensure the provision of care is culturally safe and client-centered and supports the improvement and performance of health care services through the promotion of cultural safety and cultural humility training and education for staff and employees of PHSA. The IPN facilitates relationship building between Indigenous communities, PHSA programs and services and community sites/clinics within the region. The Indigenous Patient Navigator provides support and advocacy for clients by facilitating and coordinating access to health care services, addressing cultural/spiritual needs, and networking with Indigenous and non-Indigenous health system and community partners. 

What you’ll do

• Provide consultative and navigational services to patients referred to PHSA programs and services by supporting cultural interpretation and/or health literacy translation services and by supporting culturally-competent and safe practice (e.g., access, system barriers, and navigation challenges).
• Support patients in communications with physicians, nurses, and other frontline care staff.
• Support access and coordination of services for patients within the designated region.
• As required, coordinate client referrals to and from interagency, Indigenous communities, Indigenous organizations, and other health programs and services.
• Provide client support services within the hospital care system/community by initiating and maintaining working relationships with Indigenous clients to assess their needs and ability to access and receive culturally-safe care.
• Support clients, as requested in the assigned service area, to understand, access, and navigate health care services.
• Advocate for the needs of patients within the health care system and liaise with other community and regional health organizations and promote and work to strengthen collaboration with regional health authorities to improve patient care.
• Provide support and act as a resource, as required, for healthcare providers and other staff members, regarding the provision of culturally safe care.
• Coordinate client/family spiritual care requests and/or access to sacred spaces within the healthcare system to support Indigenous beliefs and practices.

What you bring

Qualifications

Preferred hiring for Indigenous qualified candidates as approved under Special Program Status, BC Human Rights Commission

• A level of education, training, and experience equivalent to diploma or degree in a related health discipline, health or social sciences, or a patient care/clinical related discipline and One (1) to three (3) years’ recent related experience working in Indigenous healthcare.

Skills and Knowledge

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience working with Indigenous (First Nations, Metis and Inuit) communities and organizations. Extensive knowledge of Indigenous peoples’ demographics, languages, cultures, customs and traditions.
• Experience or knowledge of the health care system and community based resources within the region.
• Demonstrated knowledge, understanding and application of cultural safety and competency within healthcare.
• Demonstrated understanding of Canadian colonization, Indigenous specific racism and its impact on the current health and wellness of Indigenous peoples.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Awareness of and commitment to learning and understanding the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight Report (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), and other related reports.
• Commitment to upholding the shared responsibility of creating lasting and meaningful reconciliation in Canada as per TRC (2015) and BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019).
• As a strong asset for consideration, we are looking for our successful candidate to have: Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities impacting indigenous communities and familiarity with Indigenous Cultural Safety and anti-racism and accompanying reports (BC DRIPA, TRC, etc.).

What we bring

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.

• Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
• Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs, including +2,000 courses, such as our San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles.
• Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
• Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
• PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
• Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.

Job Type: Regular, Full Time
Salary Range: $67,861 - $97,550 /year. The starting salary for this position would be determined with consideration of the successful candidate’s relevant education and experience, and would be in alignment with the provincial compensation reference plan. Salary will be prorated accordingly for part time roles.
Location: 4500 Oak Street, Vancouver BC, V6H 2N9
Hours of Work: Monday to Friday; 08:30-16:30
Requisition # 165330E

As per the current Public Health Order, full vaccination against COVID-19 is a condition of employment with PHSA as of October 26, 2021.

What we do

BC Women's Hospital & Health Centre (BCW) is dedicated to improving the health of women, newborns and families through a comprehensive range of services, research and education. BCW is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).

The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Cultivate partnerships – Serve with purpose.

Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services

PHSA and BCW are committed to employment equity, encouraging all qualified individuals to apply. We recognize that our ability to provide the best care for our diverse patient populations relies on a rich diversity of skills, knowledge, background and experience, and value a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment.

Reconciliation is an ongoing process and a shared responsibility for all of us. The BC Governments’ unanimous passage of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act was a significant step forward in this journey—one that all health authorities are expected to support as we work in cooperation with Indigenous Peoples to establish a clear and sustainable path to lasting reconciliation. True reconciliation will take time and ongoing commitment to work with Indigenous Peoples as they move toward self-determination. Guiding these efforts Crown agencies must remain focused on creating opportunities that implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Mandate.

ATTN: PHSA Employees:

To be considered as a PHSA employee (internal applicant) for this position, you must apply online via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca

Please note the internal job posting will no longer be accessible after the expiry date of May 16, 2024. If the internal job posting has expired, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk and advise that you would like to be considered as a late internal applicant for this position. Please do not apply for the external job posting.

If you have not registered your internal profile, a password is required to log in for the first time. To obtain your password, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk at 604-875-7264 or 1-855-875-7264. Please note regular business hours are Monday – Friday (excluding stats), 8:30am to 4:30pm. For inquiries outside of regular business hours, please email the Internal Jobs Help Desk at internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca and a Help Desk Representative will contact you the next business day.