Director, Indigenous Health

Director, Indigenous Health

IH-Strategic Services

Vancouver, BC

Pursuant to section 42 of the British Columbia Human Rights Code, preference will be given to applicants of Indigenous Ancestry. We invite applicants to self-identify within their cover letter and/or resume.

In accordance with the Mission, Vision, Values and strategic direction of PHSA, safety, including both patient and employee safety, is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA. As such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director, Indigenous Health provides strategic leadership and strategic guidance with a focus on addressing and eliminating Indigenous specific racism. The Director works in partnership with leaders across PHSA to assist in the implementation, co-ordination and evaluation of PHSA strategic plans and specific initiatives by providing Indigenous leadership on embedding antiracism and cultural safety into the organization in areas of quality, safety, evaluation and research across PHSA. The Director will support a visionary, innovative, and creative approach to Indigenous health by developing, fostering and maintaining meaningful, respectful and collaborative relationships with PHSA leadership, and external health partners, including Indigenous health partners/communities.

The Director works closely with the program managers and other members of the Indigenous Health Team to identify and assess needs, and drive the development, implementation, and evaluation of antiracism and cultural safety initiatives and programs within PHSA.

The Director provides strategic leadership to a core team of program managers who provide frameworks to assess individual, team, program, and organizational capacity, and measures of the current state of cultural safety, as well as guidance on best practices and knowledge integration, web resources and guidelines, and recommendations for policy development. The Director identifies and provides sound decision making, advice on best practices and action plans, implementation strategies, and evaluation supports including metrics for the organization that support the programs and services to improve cultural safety for patients, families, and staff.

The Director develops and implements a spectrum of engagement opportunities including consultation, collaboration, and empowerment with PHSA program and service leaders to advance the transformation of organizational culture to ensure safe and more equitable service delivery for Indigenous patients/families and staff.

The Director will also establish reciprocal and collaborative relationships with Indigenous partners, Ministry of Health, Regional Health Authorities and various PHSA programs in the development and execution of strategies to improve the health of Indigenous people and their families in British Columbia. This position is accountable for the development and implementation of project goals and works collaboratively with provincial Indigenous leaders and teams in the attainment of these goals.

What you’ll do

• Provides strategic leadership and accountability for the planning, alignment, actions, and evaluation of services within the portfolio to advance Indigenous cultural safety of patients/families and staff. Ensures consistency with various strategies and recommendations, including but not limited to PHSA’s overall strategic plan, B.C.’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, Truth and Reconciliation recommendations, PHSA Indigenous Health strategy, the First Nations Health Plan, the Tri-partite Health plan, and provincial mandates regarding cultural safety and humility training.
• Develops and maintains key partnerships with relevant health agencies, educational facilities, and Indigenous communities and groups.
• Leads portfolio service development and planning activities through working groups and projects, and monitors the progress and outcomes achieved. Creates, implements, and evaluates objectives, policies and procedures, and standards of cultural safety practice related to patient care in partnership with key stakeholders across PHSA.
• Establishes strong working relationships and partners internally with PHSA-wide Programs and Services to develop and operationalize strategies and plans in order to improve local and organizational systems and service delivery for Indigenous clients. Takes a leadership role in developing, implementing, and evaluating the strategies such as policy, quality and human resources that support cultural safety by promoting evidence-based best practice.
• Compiles, analyzes, summarizes, and communicates data to support program initiatives. Evaluates whether program objectives/milestones are met.
• Provides strategic insight and context with the Indigenous Health Roadmap, Indigenous cultural safety and humility education and training content, quality and safety, Research, measurements, evaluations, and data.
• Establishes partnerships and mechanisms to support Program and Service accountabilities for the plan.
• Assesses the impact of transformational initiatives using a systems approach and manages the impacts and interdependencies of cross-divisional and cross-Program and Service projects.
• Oversees the development of operating and capital budgets and, as required, cost pressure and business case submissions. Responsibilities include identification of service and budget priorities, allocation of resources, program development, planning of goals and objectives, coordination of service delivery systems, and establishing and monitoring of targets and indicators.
• Oversees all aspects of human resource management within the assigned portfolio, including the recruitment, selection, orientation, performance management, and termination of staff as required. Looks for opportunities to develop individuals with lived experience. Ensures Indigenous staff receives culturally safe support.
• Identifies and pursues opportunities for supporting new activities and improvement initiatives. Performs other related duties as required.

What you bring

Qualifications

• A level of education, training, and experience equivalent to a Master’s degree in a relevant health care profession and a minimum of seven (7) to ten (10) years of recent related progressive leadership experience, including five to seven (5-7) years of organizational change management experience and at least two (2) years in a managerial/leadership role; and if applicable, current registration / membership with a professional college.
• Demonstrated facilitative leadership skills, analytical and problem-solving skills, and a proven ability to foster a collaborative team approach to decision making. Considerable creativity and problem solving to manage direct and indirect opportunities. Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and projects. Exceptional communication, interpersonal and public relations skills. Proven ability to negotiate and mediate resolutions to complex situations. Ability to interact tactfully and effectively with staff at all organizational levels both internally and externally. Ability to establish courses of action for self and others that are results-oriented. Demonstrated ability to relate effectively to a variety of people from diverse backgrounds. Demonstrated knowledge of Canadian colonial impacts on Indigenous people in social and health contexts, supported by significant knowledge of Canadian and Indigenous ideologies. Knowledge and appreciation of the unique history, cultures, and rights of Indigenous Peoples in Canada is required. Lived experience with Indigenous populations and demonstrated extensive knowledge of Indigenous health care needs, services, and issues as well as knowledge of culture, protocols, traditions, and ideology of Indigenous people and organizations in British Columbia is an asset.
• *Preference will be given to Indigenous candidates.

Skills & Knowledge

• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments 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 - and how they intersect across the health care system.
• Models and supports full team commitment to Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety including oversight and commitment to education strategy.
• Collaborates with peers to ensure Indigenous-specific Anti-racism and ICSH are applied holistically through department as whole.
• 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 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.).

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 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: $116,591 - $167,600 /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: 1333 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6H 1G9
Closing date: Applications accepted until position is filled
Hours of Work: Mon - Fri / 800 - 1600
Requisition # 169512E

What we do

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 is committed to 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 marginalized groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.

One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya'kula 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 marginalization faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and self-determination of Indigenous communities. PHSA must uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents such as 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.

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 July 25, 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.