Come work as an Indigenous Patient Navigator with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)!

Vancouver Coastal Health is committed to improving the health and access to culturally safe healthcare of the Indigenous people in our region, and we recognize that we all have a contribution to make in reconciliation and healing. VCH’s Indigenous Health team works with staff and physicians across all programs and departments to provide strategic leadership, partner collaboration and community engagement to assist VCH to become a more culturally competent and safe organization.

Reporting to the Director, Indigenous Patient Experience and Professional Practice, the Indigenous Patient Navigator (IPN) is accountable for providing day-to-day health system navigation support to create safe people, places, and systems for Indigenous clients and their families of Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH).  The IPN liaises with clients and primary care teams who provide direct client and family support, to ensure their successful access to primary care and community-based health care services. The IPN is responsible for ensuring that patient care occurs in a culturally safe and respectful manner by – people: connecting with clients and families to offer support, helping clients and families voice their questions or concerns to the primary care teams, offering traditional culturally safe resources that compliment current healthcare regimes, mitigate potential complaints by acting as a conduit between client and care team through presence, communication, approach, and understanding.  The Indigenous Patient Navigator also liaises with a variety of Indigenous community based agencies.

The IPN will inform and influence program development, planning and evaluation of services for Indigenous clients through the patient experience process of navigating the healthcare system. Key partnerships are with the Indigenous Health Program, interdisciplinary VCH health care providers, and VCH leadership.

As an Indigenous Patient Navigator with Vancouver Coastal Health you will:

• Meet with Indigenous clients and their families to offer support, connection, and understanding of the client and family needs support that connection and communication with the primary care teams.
• Work with primary care teams in their approach and understanding of the needs of Indigenous clients and families as it relates to culturally safe access to services and resources available in acute and community settings.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings with VCH primary care teams to support the needs of Indigenous clients and their families to access acute  and community based resources and document the information needs necessary for culturally specific and safe care across the continuum of care.
• Plan, develop and implement Indigenous community health navigation consultative services to VCH programs and services.  Makes recommendations regarding changes to organizational policies, procedures and practices to the Regional Director.
• Maintain documentation and a database of client interactions.
• Collaborate with other Indigenous Health Team members to develop in-house education materials and deliver training programs to staff from all disciplines with respect to the cultural perspective and sensitivities in providing care to Indigenous clients and their families.
• Provide regular activity reports to the Indigenous Health Team regarding current issues, trends and outcomes for the designated CoC.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education & Experience

• 2-3 years of experience working with Indigenous communities in BC with a combination of training, education, and or experience in a similar field
• Bachelor’s degree; however, other education will be considered. Candidates interested in pursuing further education in this field are also encouraged to apply.
• Preference will be given to candidates who identify as Indigenous including First Nations, Metis, or Inuit, please self identify on your resume and/or cover letter.
• Valid BC Driver’s License as travel within the health authority is required.

Knowledge & Abilities

• Extensive knowledge of community-based Indigenous organizations in British Columbia.
• Extensive knowledge of health issues impacting Indigenous communities.
• Broad knowledge of Indigenous and non-Indigenous services and resources currently available within Vancouver Coastal Health’s (VCH’s) Health Services Delivery Areas
• (HSDA’s) for Indigenous clients in need of health and social supports.
• Demonstrated ability to deal with cultural issues sensitively.
• Demonstrated ability to initiate and maintain collaborative working relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated intermediate skill with operating wordprocessing, spreadsheet, and database programs.

We are striving to build a diverse team that has lived experience with Indigenous communities. Strong preference will be given to applicants who self-identify as Indigenous.

It will greatly assist us with screening if you refer in your application to your Indigenous identity. Recognizing the impacts of colonization on Indigenous people, it is your choice whether to volunteer information. We will hold your application in strictest confidence, sharing it only with the hiring panel.

As per the current Public Health Orders (Long Term Care/Seniors Assisted Living Provincial Health Officer Order and the Health Sector Order), as of October 26, 2021, all employees working for Vancouver Coastal Health must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Proof of vaccination status will be required.

WHY JOIN VANCOUVER COASTAL HEALTH?

VCH is a world class innovator in medical care, research and teaching, delivering service to more than one million BC residents. At VCH, we embrace thinking boldly, taking smart risks, and "going first" when we believe it will lead to the best possible outcomes for patients and their families. We invite you to join us in creating healthy lives in healthy communities by showcasing our passion for care, connection to the communities we serve, and our culture of teamwork that makes VCH a great place to work.

• Comprehensive health benefits package, including MSP, extended health and dental and municipal pension plan
• Grow your career with employer-paid training and leadership development opportunities
• Wellness supports, including counselling, critical incident and innovative wellness services are available to employees and their immediate families
• Award-winning recognition programs to honour staff, medical staff and volunteers
• Access to exclusive discount offers and deals for VCH staff

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to our goals of creating a great place to work and delivering exceptional care. We acknowledge and accommodate unique differences and ensure special measures are in place so that all prospective and current employees are given an opportunity to succeed.

We are committed to building a representative workforce and encourage applications reflecting diversity of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization or ancestry, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

Vancouver Coastal Health is proud to be recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers in 2022.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for this posting.

***Employees of VCH must apply via the Internal Application Process. Refer to the https://my.vch.ca/working-here/job-postings site for How to Apply instructions. Current VCH employees who apply to this posting using this external site will be considered as an external candidate. Seniority will not apply.***

Thank you for your interest in Vancouver Coastal Health.