Indigenous Health Specialist

The Indigenous Health and Reconciliation Specialist is responsible for supporting better health outcomes for Indigenous patients. The specialist will inform program development and support the organizational approach to Indigenous health, including but not limited to:
• alignment of services,
• data collection,
• engagement and training of staff,
• relationship building with the Indigenous community, in order to facilitate coordinated approaches that enable patient-informed, innovative solutions aimed at reducing inequities in care

1. Undergraduate degree in Indigenous Studies, Public Health, Health Administration, Social Work, Health Equity, or an equivalent combination of education and employment experience. Applicants are encouraged to apply and demonstrate how community and employment experience could be considered an equivalent to a degree.
2. Knowledge of the local Hamilton Indigenous community, including knowledge of community programs and supports, governance structures and protocols, as well as Indigenous organizations
3. Knowledge and understanding of Indigenous history, culture, social determinants of health, and anti-Indigenous racism
4. Experience working with Indigenous communities, traditional healers and Elders to build positive and mutually beneficial relationships to advance Truth and Reconciliation and support Cultural Safety
5. Sound knowledge working with relevant legislation, including Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and other relevant Indigenous rights legislation as required
6. Experience and understanding of health care systems and healthcare delivery, as well as how these systems impact Indigenous health outcomes
7. Understanding of effectiveness methodologies, change management, project management and process improvement skills to support organizational change
8. Experience, knowledge and understanding of concepts related to co-design, patient engagement, and community engagement principles
9. Broad understanding of hospital operations to inform discussions and creative solutions to building Indigenous cultural safety an inclusive community
10. Effective communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills with a keen ability to engage with various stakeholders and members of the community, resulting in collaborative partnerships and beneficial result
11. Demonstrated leadership skills, including the ability to act as an informal leader, influencing change while aligning with organization values, setting priorities, and undertaking multiple tasks with tight deadlines
12. Strong ability to conduct evaluation, program design, develop plans/procedures/write reports
13. Ability to be creative and proactive in offering new approaches to problem solve
14. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with people from diverse living experiences and socioeconomic, and gender backgrounds
15. Demonstrated emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills; ability to influence an outcome across all levels through a consultative methodology
16. Ability to work independently and effectively as leader or member in teams, on task-forces, and committees

17. Ability to successfully navigate challenging conversations among diverse groups and build consensus

     

Preference will be given to candidates who have lived experience (e.g., self-identify as Indigenous) & demonstrate connection to community