Indigenous Patient Navigator (IPN) - BC Cancer - Abbotsford

Indigenous Patient Navigator (IPN)
BC Cancer
Abbotsford, BC

Pursuant to section 42 (3) of the British Columbia Human Rights Code, preference will be given to applicants of Indigenous Ancestry. Please self-identify in your cover letter/resume.


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). Supports 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, coordinates 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. Supports 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 liaises with other community and regional health organizations and promotes and works to strengthen collaboration with regional health authorities to improve patient care.
• Provide support and acts as a resource, as required, for healthcare providers and other staff members, regarding the provision of culturally safe care. Coordinates client/family spiritual care requests and/or access to sacred spaces within the healthcare system to support Indigenous beliefs and practices.
• Support connection to community services such as Indigenous translators and arranges the language and cultural translation services where necessary.
• Maintain and updates appropriate documentation and records related to the needs of Indigenous patients in the health care system. Develops and maintains a regional inventory of care related programs and services for clients.
• Support the development of regional strategies to improve care for Indigenous patients by engaging Indigenous communities, organizations and other health system partners within the region, and works in partnership with the Metis Nation of BC, BC Association of Aboriginal Centre, and the First Nation Health Authority as appropriate.
• Provide a link between Indigenous communities and PHSA healthcare providers and supports Indigenous peoples’ understanding of the provincial healthcare system, the First Nations Health Authority, and federal healthcare systems where applicable.
• Provide information to Indigenous clients, families, communities and organizations within the designated region and provides outreach support to Indigenous communities and organizations to better understand health needs and improve access to PHSA services.
• Supports PHSA in improving relationships with Indigenous communities and organizations within the region.
• Assists in addressing culturally unsafe care with clients and staff.

Qualifications:

• 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.
• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism and systemic racism on Indigenous Peoples within social and health contexts. This includes understanding how these factors contribute to current health disparities and barriers to care. Show a clear commitment to identifying, challenging, and eradicating Indigenous-specific racism and all forms of discrimination impacting equity-deserving groups within healthcare settings. This involves recognizing personal biases, institutional barriers, engaging in anti-racism education and training and advocating for systemic change.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments within BC Cancer contexts found in the foundational documents including Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, BC Human Rights Code, Anti-racism Data Act and how they intersect across the health care system.

Core Competencies

• Brings an understanding of the Indigenous specific racism and the broader systemic racism that exists in the colonial health care structure, and has demonstrated leadership in breaking down barriers and ensuring an environment of belonging. Embed Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility into all aspects of work. This means creating an environment where Indigenous patients feel respected, valued, and understood. Foster trust through respectful communication, active listening, and honoring equity-deserving people's perspectives on health and wellness. Commit to ongoing education and training on Indigenous health issues, cultural safety, and DEI principles. Participate in workshops, cultural immersion experiences, and continuous professional development to stay informed and responsive to equity-deserving groups. Provide patient-centred care that respects Indigenous ways of knowing and healing, respects BIPOC experiences and world views ensuring that care plans are culturally relevant and holistic.
• Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (The Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.).

You have:

• 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. Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team.
• Ability to use sound professional judgment, empathy, compassion and integrity. Ability to prioritize workload, keep accurate records and write reports as necessary. Ability to adapt as the Indigenous care program evolves.
• Ability to work independently and utilize strong time management skills to meet deadlines and accomplish objectives.
• Lived experience with Indigenous populations is an asset.
• Commitment to beginning and continuing their personal learning journey related to Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, as well as addressing racism more broadly. Shows willingness to articulate and share their learning experiences to contribute to a culture of motivation and inspiration among peers.
• Knowledge of the social, economic, and political realities of settler-colonialism and its impacts on Indigenous peoples and equity-deserving groups within social and health contexts. Understands the impact of social determinants of health-on-health outcomes. Shows a commitment to learning about and upholding legislative obligations and provincial commitments outlined in foundational documents such as the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan, Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, the BC Human Rights Code, Anti-Racism Data Act, and the Distinctions Based Approach.

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 and development.
• 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).
• Perks include access to fitness classes and discounts to 350 BC-wide recreational programs, travel, technology, car and bike sharing, and more.

Job Type: Temporary, Full-Time (Until July 31, 2026)

Salary Range: $74,618 - $107,264 per 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: 32900 Marshall Road, Abbotsford, BC V2S 0C2

Applications will be accepted until position is filled.

Hours of Work: Monday - Friday; 830-1630.

Requisition Number: 192152E

What we do

 
BC Cancer provides comprehensive cancer control for the people of British Columbia.

BC Cancer 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 – Create equity – Be courageous.

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

PHSA is committed to anti-racism and equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently excluded groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.

One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes ongoing commitments to Indigenous recruitment and employee experience as well as dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya’k̓ula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at indigenous.employment@phsa.ca.

Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and exclusion faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and title of BC First Nations and self-determination of all First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. PHSA is mandated to uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents including the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study.

Attention current employees of PHSA:  

You must apply via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca. 

The internal job posting expires on December 10, 2025, and will no longer be accessible. If the internal job posting has expired, please e-mail internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca with the six-digit job requisition number and your PHSA employee ID number to be considered as a late internal applicant. Please do not apply for the external job posting. 

If you have not yet set up an internal profile, please e-mail internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca with your PHSA employee ID number to obtain your temporary password. Our business hours are Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm, excluding Statutory Holidays and a Help Desk Representative will respond to you with 1-2 business days. 

If you are not a current employee of PHSA and require assistance with your application, please contact the External Careers team at careers@phsa.ca.