The practitioner provides culturally safe interventions and traditional wellness supports for Indigenous clients facing complex mental health and substance use challenges. They collaborate with clinicians to integrate traditional wellness into care plans and maintain community relationships in the Downtown Eastside.
Requirements summary
Requires a Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent experience, with at least two years of experience providing cultural supports to Indigenous communities. Preference is given to individuals of Indigenous identity with knowledge of colonial impacts on healthcare.
bachelor degreeCrisis InterventionTreatment PlanningIndigenous Cultural SafetyCulturally Safe CareMental Health AssessmentInterprofessional CollaborationSubstance Use TreatmentCommunity OutreachCase CoordinationHarm ReductionTrauma-Informed PracticeRestorative Justice
Job description
Notice now accepting late internal applications
Please note that the internal competition for this position is now closed, however we are still accepting late applications from qualified internal candidates. Should you choose to apply, your application will only be considered after on-time internal applicants have been considered.
Description
JOB
SUMMARY:The Indigenous Cultural Practitioner works within the context of a person, family, and community-centred trauma and violence-informed, and I culturally safe care model, and in accordance with established vision and values of the organization, and respectfully appreciates the values and history of Indigenous Peoples and Nations in Canada.The Indigenous Cultural Practitioner is responsible in the support of an integrated traditional wellness program in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES) neighborhood, and connecting with VCH clinicians across Mental Health, Substance Use and Primary Care services, to integrate traditional wellness into care plans for Indigenous clients. Working in part in an outreach capacity, and without general supervision, the Indigenous Cultural Practitioner provides culturally competent, and safe interventions or practices for Indigenous clients who are experiencing or are at risk for homelessness with complex substance use and mental wellness issues, within community settings.The Indigenous Cultural Practitioner will provide culturally safe and sensitive services to Indigenous individuals experiencing complex psycho-social challenges including but not limited to: chronic health concerns, intergenerational trauma history, mental health and substance use, significant financial insecurity, experiences of violence and housing instability. The Indigenous Cultural Practitioner will be providing direct client care and must be equipped to provide strength-based and trauma-informed cultural interventions in the context of the care plan, and consultation with complex discharge planning, establishing, maintaining, and enhancing therapeutic relationships, coordinating, and evaluating clients’ response to the care plan.The position will also develop and enhances community communications/relationships, providing consultation services to VCH clinicians across Mental Health, Substance Use and Primary Care services, engages in on- going team planning, development, evaluation, and quality improvement activities to achieve excellence in client care, and will inform policies and procedures in collaboration with the Indigenous Cultural Outreach team.QUALIFICATIONS:Education & Experience
Bachelor’s degree, in a related field or related experience, with demonstrated work with Indigenous communities, supplemented with a minimum of two (2) years of offering cultural supports, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience in the health authority system, and in particular working with Indigenous individuals, communities or organizations on issues related to health and wellness.
Experience coordinating and delivering traditional wellness/medicine within community.
For this position, we also want to highlight that First Nations, Inuit, Metis ancestry is regarded as directly relevant to the skills and knowledge for excellence in the position. Pursuant to Section 41 of the British Columbia Human Rights Code, preference will be given to individuals of Indigenous identity (First Nations, Inuit, Metis). Knowledge, Skills & AbilitiesComprehensive knowledge and demonstrated ability to provide culturally safe care, has completed Indigenous Cultural Safety Training.Demonstrated understanding and in-depth knowledge of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis Peoples and history.Demonstrated understanding of provincial and federal guiding principles and documents, for example In Plain Sight report, and calls to action to eliminate Indigenous-specific racism in the health care sector.Demonstrated ability to identify and recognize current health care system gaps and barriers for Indigenous individuals and communities seeking health care.Demonstrated ability to identify and recognize power inequities within the healthcare system associated with ongoing impacts of colonialism. Knowledge of the Mental Health Act as it applies to the rights and obligations of clients and staff. Demonstrated ability to identify suicidal ideation and basic intervention.Demonstrated knowledge of the principles of recovery in mental health and substance use.Demonstrated knowledge and experience in Trauma and Violence Informed Practice.Demonstrated ability to apply strengths-based trauma informed principles to practice, has completed trauma informed training.Demonstrated knowledge and ability to apply a Harm Reduction approach to care.Demonstrated knowledge and ability to conduct assessments and integrate culturally appropriate interventions and practices into care embedding principles of cultural safety.Comprehensive knowledge of mental illness and substance use issues including current trends, best practices, and modalities of treatment.Broad knowledge of mental health, primary care and substance use service delivery system, service mandates, referral guidelines, legislation, and government policies.Demonstrated knowledge or experience in mental health and substance use, and to provide treatment planning and case coordination.Broad knowledge of other health disciplines and their role in healthcare.Demonstrated ability to be flexible and open to a range of treatment modules for substance use from abstinence and harm reduction.Demonstrated ability to plan, implement, facilitate, and evaluate cultural groups, as applicable. Demonstrated ability to facilitate team building. to work both independently and collaboratively, and ability to model and foster a positive, collaborative, and respectful team working environment.Demonstrated ability to adjust to new or unexpected events, problem solve, and deal effectively with and/or guide others in resolution of conflict issues using restorative justice approaches.Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with clients and their families, colleagues, physician, and other health care staff, both one-on-one and in groups.Demonstrated listening and information seeking skills that promotes open and direct communication and leads to a cooperative approach to problem solving.Demonstrated ability to set priorities, organize work, and meet deadlines.Demonstrated ability to work effectively with community partners and with individuals from diverse backgrounds.Demonstrated ability to operate related equipment. Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.Basic computer literacy to operate a computerized client care information system and word processing, spreadsheet, Internet, and e-mail software.The hours of work including days off and work area may be subject to change consistent with operational requirements and the provision of the Collective Agreement and applicable statutes. Successful applicants may be required to complete a Criminal Records Review Check. Details At Vancouver Coastal Health, our vision of healthy lives in healthy communities inspires us and our values and pillars guide us. We support equitable practices, diverse teams and inclusive environments, which are vital to creating welcoming spaces where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and feel supported. We encourage applications from equity-deserving communities, including Indigenous Peoples and members of racialized groups, people with disabilities and people of all gender identities and expressions and sexual orientation.Vancouver Coastal Health is proud to be recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers, BC’s Top Employers, Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and Canada's Top Employers for Young People in 2026.Unless otherwise noted on the posting, internal job postings close at 8:00 AM Pacific Time on the listed Closing Date. Please submit your digital application via the Internal Career Portal prior to the Closing Date & Time.Nursing & LPN successful applicants will be notified by email.We regret that only short listed candidates will be acknowledged.This is an internal job posting for Vancouver Coastal Health employees only.
