Position Summary
Who are we looking for?
Interior Health is looking for a permanent part time (.41 FTE) Aboriginal Patient Navigator to join our team at the Kelowna General Hospital.
This part time position is perfect for a college/university student who is completing studies in social work or other diploma or degree in healthcare. The shift days and times are Friday 08:30 – 16:30 and Saturday and Sunday 09:00- 13:00.
The Okanagan's largest and liveliest population centre, Kelowna, is one of Canada's most popular vacation destinations and home of the legendary Ogopogo, the Okanagan’s own version of the Loch Ness Monster. With such a perfect lakeshore community, it is easy to believe that Kelowna is known to some as the Summer City. Summer smiles and glistening water year round will entice you to explore this amazing community. If you enjoy water sports - sailing, house boating, kayaking, windsurfing and fishing - you may never want to leave Kelowna. Downtown Kelowna offers a spectacular landscape of lake, mountains and parks, with a wide range of cafés, continental and ethnic restaurants and noisy nightclubs to choose from as well as unique shops and boutiques, heritage buildings and modern architecture, art galleries and museums, music and live theatre, and even a symphony and ballet.
How will you create an impact?
The Aboriginal Patient Navigator (APN) works as part of the Interdisciplinary Care Team and, as required, acts as a resource for both Aboriginal clients and healthcare providers to ensure the provision of care is culturally safe and client-centered. The APN works with Aboriginal people located in the assigned Interior Health (IH) service area across varying sectors of health (e.g., acute care, residential services, mental health, public health, and home health services), depending on the local service area.
Some Key Duties may include:
• Provides consultative and navigational services for health professionals, the community, and clients to understand and identify client needs by supporting cultural interpretation and/or health literacy translation services and by supporting culturally-competent practice (e.g., access, system barriers, and navigation challenges).
• Provides support and acts as a resource, as required, for healthcare providers, including primary healthcare physicians, 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 Aboriginal beliefs and customs. Coordinates and provides community resources and connections to Aboriginal spiritual services as required.
• Provides client support services within the hospital care system/community by initiating and maintaining working relationships with Aboriginal 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 acute care, home health, community, mental health, addictions, chronic disease, and public health services. Assists clients in addressing their concerns by linking with the IH complaint process.
• At the client or healthcare provider’s request, the APN provides client support services related to discharge planning by participating in the discharge planning process, including assisting in the early identification and assessment of clients’ needs and liaising with the appropriate community and IH program and services (e.g., mental health, addictions, and/or other APN or community resources).
• Provides client-specific navigation of services for Aboriginal clients in conjunction with an interdisciplinary team that may include such work as attending bed meetings, supporting staff with client/family culturally-safe needs assessment, checking for referrals and attending health-related service rounds. As required, coordinates client referrals to and from interagency, Aboriginal communities, urban Aboriginal organizations, and other health programs and services.
• Provides a link between Aboriginal communities and IH healthcare providers and supports Aboriginal peoples’ understanding of the provincial healthcare system, the First Nations Health Authority, and federal healthcare systems where applicable. Provides information regarding the provision of and access to healthcare programs and services to Aboriginal clients, families, and communities.
• Supports connection to community services such as Aboriginal translators.
• Coordinates client-specific meetings between the inter-professional team, including Aboriginal healthcare providers, to address concerns or system barriers that arise.
• Maintains and updates appropriate documentation and records related to the provision of client care. Completes summary and statistical casework information as required.
• Attends regularly scheduled meetings with Managers and Administrators and monthly APN teleconference calls. Charts client referrals, receives and documents referrals from home health and community service organizations, and travels as required.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
Some of the Benefits of Joining Interior Health:
An attractive remuneration package and excellent career prospects await the right candidate. We offer one of the best benefit packages and pension plans in Canada. In addition to Medical, Dental and Extended Health coverage, we also offer paid annual vacation starting at 4 weeks (20 days) up to a maximum of 7 weeks (35 days). We also offer an attractive defined employee pension plan, disability and life insurance, and options for maternity &/or paternity leave top-up.
Interior Health strives to create an environment where you enjoy the work you do, the place where you work, and the people around you. Together, we create great workplaces. Apply today!
Why Interior Health is a Top 100 BC Employer
Honouring Interior Health’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA), and Pursuant to Section 42 of the BC Human Rights Code, preferential consideration and/or hiring will be given to qualified applicants who self-identify as Aboriginal (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit).
Qualifications
Education, Training, and Experience:
• A degree or diploma in social work, healthcare, or a relevant field (e.g., Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse).
• Two years of related experience working in a healthcare environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge, experience, and understanding of Aboriginal people and their culture.
• Knowledge of federal, provincial, territorial, regional, and Aboriginal organizations mandated to provide health services.
• OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Preference will be given to candidates proficient in one or more Indigenous languages.
• Completion of a medical terminology course is an asset.
• A criminal records check is required.
Skills and Abilities:
• Demonstrated ability:
o to understand the healthcare system and mainstream institutions.
o to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
o to be solution-focused and resolve conflict.
o to work independently, as well as collaboratively, in a team environment.
o to address cultural concerns as they arise with cultural safety and humility.
o knowledge of and experience with marginalized populations.
o to commit to ongoing professional development.
o to work well under pressure, either related to deadlines or unforeseen circumstances.
o to operate related equipment, including computer hardware and software.
• Demonstrated knowledge of social justice issues and the impact of social determinants of health.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to deal with others effectively.
• A valid BC Driver’s License.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
Comments
Hourly wage range for this position is approximately from $31.65 - $45.50 and starting wage will be based on education, training and experience.
This posting is covered by the Provincial Health Officer’s mandatory COVID-19 vaccination orders and selected applicant(s) must comply.
Interior Health now offers assistance from an Aboriginal Employment Advisor. If you self-identify as Aboriginal (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) and if you would like assistance with internal career exploration, send your question via email to AboriginalEmployment@interiorhealth.ca to be redirected to the Employment Advisor. We invite applicants to self-identify as First nations, Métis, or Inuit within cover letters and/or resumes.