Indigenous Social Navigator

Indigenous Social Navigator

TitleIndigenous Social Navigator
Position Number New
Society South Peace First Nations Primary Care Society
Clinic Name Northern Nations Wellness Centre (MēYōMăhChĕwGămĭk)
ORGANIZATION SUMMARY
The South Peace First Nations Primary Care Centre is one that that respects the cultural values and practices that are integral to Indigenous identities and wellness. We are committed to a proactive holistic approach to health and wellness, and to the delivery of services which are sustainable and honour the customs and traditions of the Saulteau and West Moberly communities near Chetwynd, BC.
POSITION SUMMARY
The role of the Indigenous Social Navigator within the Northern Nations Wellness Centre is to ensure Indigenous patients are supported in accessing all available services in the region as part of a comprehensive, team –based, primary care approach to wellness. The Indigenous Social Navigator will be responsible for relaying information, actively aligning patient needs, and tracking their progress through the health system. This approach supports clients towards adequately addressing their needs in a timely manner and prevents clients from falling through the gaps as part of their health and wellness journey.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Greet patients and visitors in a welcoming and culturally safe manner.
• Maintain familiarity with systems and support offered within the Wellness Centre, and more broadly in the region.
• Provide clients and visitors with information on and connections to wrap around care supports related to social determinants of health (i.e. available community supports including health, social, housing, and recreational supports), ensuring a coordinated patient experience.
• Provide clients with connection to safe, inclusive, respectful, and productive access to care throughout the patient’s healthcare journey, from initial intake through treatment, discharge planning and follow-up.
• Collaborates with Wellness Team members in developing discharge plans that consider short, middle, and long-term needs for the Indigenous patient and family.
• Ensure our Centre’s healing practices and approaches to wellness are based on local customs and practices; and services offered align with Indigenous cultural safety and respectful provision of care.
• Work collaboratively with Indigenous Social Navigators and Elder Health Advisors to coordinate the delivery of workshops, group sessions, and one on one education, promoting our services and strengthening our community engagement initiatives.
• Facilitate cultural learning workshops for staff and clients on an ongoing basis and delivery of the cultural wrap-around health and wellness support and services. (Educational and land-based wellness activities will take place both at the Centre and in or near in-scope First Nation Communities.)
• Provide cultural healing services and teachings that promote First Nation approaches to wellness in a holistic safe and caring way and incorporate Nation-based traditional cultural protocols where appropriate.
• Provide access to land-based learning activities, respecting local cultural traditions, teachings, and protocols. Identify partnerships with current “On the Land treatment” and recovery activities (where appropriate).
• Provide traditional food knowledge and promote self-management and support toward medical conditions through traditional foods and medicines.
• Share feedback received from patients and visitors with the team to ensure the care we are providing is culturally safe and overtime reflective of the cultural values instilled from a First Nations and Indigenous understanding of health and wellness.
• Be an advocate and intermediary voice with health professionals and provide recommendations on ways they can incorporate the client’s culture in their treatment planning (as client consents).
• By identifying service gaps, eliminate or significantly reduce barriers to accessing the Centre’s services for in-scope First Nation communities and Urban/Rural Indigenous peoples living in the South Peace Rural CHSA.
• Offer sustainable transportation supports to ensure indigenous clients are not missing their appointments due to lack of available transportation; operate a scheduled transportation service to in-scope populations (West Moberly and Saulteau First Nations communities).
• If the Centre is at full capacity, the Indigenous Social Navigators will work with the patient to make them feel welcome and present options that are consistent with, and responsive to their presenting health issues.
• Maintain confidentiality of patient information and adhere to all privacy and security protocols in compliance with clinic protocols.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS
Education and Experience

• Strong organizational and multitasking skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced and dynamic healthcare environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a customer service-oriented approach to patient interaction.
• Proficiency in using computer systems as it relates to data entry and documentation.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team and collaborate with healthcare providers and support staff.
• Training in anti-Indigenous racism response and cultural safety and humility is an asset.
• Comfort using digital technology and online systems.

Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of cultural safety, humility, and trauma informed approaches to care.
• Knowledge of, and ability to apply, an understanding of First Nations cultural principles and protocols in work situations.
• Understanding rural and remote communities and their inherent challenges and barriers.

Other

• A police information check, including the vulnerable sector clearance is a requirement of this role.
• Applicants are required to have a valid driver’s license and ideally have a comfort level transporting patients, even in winter driving conditions.
• Applicants of indigenous decent will be given priority in the selection process as knowledge of indigenous culture and traditions is critical to the success of this role.
• This position works 37.5 hours per week.

Salary Range
$27.12 - $33.91
How to Apply
Interested parties should submit a cover letter and resumé to sarahcanning@mistahiyacorp.com
Closing date
February 5th, 2024