Indigenous Wellness Liaison

Summary JOB SUMMARY

The Indigenous Wellness and Reconciliation team is hiring for two regular full-time Indigenous Wellness Liaisons.Reporting to the Manager, Indigenous Wellness & Reconciliation, the Indigenous Wellness Liaison (IWL) support self-identified Indigenous patients by providing access to traditional cultural practices and work as part of the interdisciplinary care team to provide day-to-day support to Indigenous patients and their families to ensure access to appropriate services that support their healthcare needs. This position acts as a resource for both Indigenous patients and healthcare providers by recognizing the impacts of colonization and advocating for health provider relationships that are trauma informed, person and family centered, to ensure the provision of culturally safe care. The Indigenous Wellness Liaison responds to referrals and offers support across all acute care services and the longitudinal care of patients engaged in primary care (e.g., acute care, residential services, mental health) and outpatient clinics (i.e., John Ruedy Clinic and the Rapid Access Addiction Clinic) and liaises on behalf of Indigenous patients with medical professionals and other healthcare providers. This position also navigates opportunities for service providers to understand cultural safety and humility and apply their learnings to the care environment.QUALIFICATIONS:EducationBachelor's degree in social work, healthcare, nursing or a related discipline. Three (3) years' experience working in a healthcare environment. Demonstrated knowledge, experience, and understanding of Indigenous Peoples and cultures. Demonstrated deep understanding of Canadian and Indigenous history, an understanding of the roots of harm (colonization and racism) and ongoing harms experienced by Indigenous Peoples, UNDRIP, and the TRC Calls to Action. OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Preference will be given to applicants of indigenous Ancestry.Skills and AbilitiesDemonstrated knowledge and understanding of the healthcare system and mainstream institutions.Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.Ability to be solutions-focused, deescalate and resolve conflict.Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with others effectively.To work independently, as well as collaboratively, in a team environment.To address cultural concerns as they arise, practicing cultural humility to ensure safety.Knowledge and experience with marginalized populations.Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development.Ability to work well under pressure, either related to deadlines to unforeseen circumstances.Ability to operate related equipment, including hardware and software systems.Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.Provides day to day consultation and navigational support for Indigenous patients, family, the community, and health professionals, by acting as a liaison to understand and identify client needs by supporting cultural interpretation and/or health literacy translation services and by supporting the provision of culturally safe care (e.g., access, removing 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. Facilitates client/family access to Cultural Practices and/or access to the All Nations Sacred Space within St. Paul's Hospital to support Indigenous health and wellness. Coordinates connections to Indigenous community resources and supports, as required. Provides patient support services within the hospital system by initiating and maintaining working relationships with Indigenous clients to assess their needs and ability to access and receive culturally-safe care. Supports clients, across all acute care services and the longitudinal care of patients engaged primary care and outpatient clinics. Assists clients in addressing their concerns by linking with the Patient Care Quality Office complaint process. At the client or healthcare provider's request, the IWL 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 program/services (e.g., mental health, addictions, and/or other community resources) to coordinate services.Provides client-specific navigation of services for Indigenous patients in conjunction with an interdisciplinary care team that may include such work as attending daily rounds, supporting staff with client/family culturally-safe needs assessment, and checking for referrals. As required, provides support to coordinate client referrals to and from urban Indigenous organizations, and other health programs and services.Acts as liaison between Indigenous communities and healthcare providers and supports Indigenous Peoples' understanding of Providence Health Care in 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.Acts as a liaison between the Indigenous Cultural Safety team and navigates opportunities for service providers to support their journey in understanding cultural safety and humility, Indigenous-specific racism, and applying learnings to care environment. 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 Indigenous Wellness & Reconciliation departments meetings. Charts client referrals, including documenting referrals from community service organizations, and travels as required. Performs other related duties, as required. Job Accuracy Posting Flag The hours of work, including start and stop times, days off, work area and work site may be subject to change consistent with operations requirements and applicable provisions of the Collective Agreement and statutes. **Testing may be required. ***A criminal record check may be required