Indigenous Patient Navigator

Position Summary
Who are we looking for?

Do you have experience working within healthcare, are culturally centered, and have knowledge of federal, provincial, territorial, regional, and Indigenous organizations?

Interior Health is seeking a permanent part time Indigenous Patient Navigator (IPN) to join our primary care team in Ashcroft.

The schedule for this position is flexible and will work a rotating schedule of 18.75 hours per week.

Some of the Benefits of Joining Interior Health:

• An attractive remuneration package
• Excellent career prospects
• Employer paid training/education
• Employer paid vacation
• Medical Service Plan
• Employer paid insurance premiums
• Extended Health & Dental coverage
• Municipal Pension Plan
• Work-life balance

Hourly wage range for the position is $34.80 to $50.03. Interior Health establishes salaries within the minimum and maximum of the salary range based on consideration of the qualifications, experience of the applicant, and an internal equity review of the salaries of other employees.

How will you create an impact?

The IPN provides services, resources and referrals for Indigenous patients and their families. 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 Indigenous beliefs and customs.

The Indigenous Patient Navigator (IPN) works as part of the Interdisciplinary Care Team and, as required, acts as a resource for both Indigenous clients and healthcare providers to ensure the provision of care is culturally safe and client-centered. The IPN works with Indigenous people located in the assigned Interior Health (IH) service area across varying sectors of health (e.g., acute care, long term care 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). Supports connection to community services such as Indigenous translators.
• At the client or healthcare provider’s request, the IPN 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 IPN or community resources).
• Provides a link between Indigenous communities and IH healthcare providers and supports Indigenous 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 Indigenous clients, families, and communities.
• Coordinates client-specific meetings between the inter-professional team, including Indigenous healthcare providers, to address concerns or system barriers that arise.

Ashcroft, Cache Creek and Clinton are small communities with one of the best climates in BC, having mild winters, and warm summers, with little precipitation. The mountains are only a few miles away. Skiing, hiking, fishing, swimming, and biking opportunities are within easy drives. While the health site is located in and named after the Ashcroft community (population 1,800), the Village of Cache Creek (population 1,200) is 10 km away, while the village of Clinton (population 650) is 50 km away.
The site provides service to these communities and the surrounding area, a total population of approximately 8,000.

At this site there is the Ashcroft Urgent and Primary Care Clinic, Long Term care, Home Care and Dome Support services, public health, mental health services along with lab and x-ray services.

Patients needing higher levels of care are usually transferred to the appropriate facility or care service in Kamloops. The city of Kamloops (about an hour's drive), and providing additional urban opportunities, Kelowna and Vancouver are approximately 3 ½ - 4 ½ hours away. Close enough to enjoy far enough away not to impact our life style.

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!

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 Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit).

Qualfications
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 Indigenous people and their culture.
• Knowledge of federal, provincial, territorial, regional, and Indigenous 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 valid BC Driver’s License. **Please include a copy with your application **