Provide support and advocacy for Indigenous patients, families, and caregivers in the Hudson Regional Cancer Program.
Facilitate and coordinate access to cancer services for Indigenous patients.
Conduct biopsychosocial assessments considering Indigenous cultural imperatives, intergenerational trauma, Indigenous worldview, and community support networks.
Conduct culturally relevant risk assessments of patients and their support systems.
Review patient records and consult with health professionals and agencies (including Community Health Centres, Traditional healers, and Elders).
Perform ongoing assessment and/or evaluation of treatment plans.
Provide timely and accurate documentation and identify/document needs of Indigenous patients and their families.
Develop strategies to meet the needs of Indigenous patients and families within the program.
Increase awareness of cancer care among Indigenous patients and families.
Improve access to cancer services.
Build productive relationships with Indigenous communities and regional community partners.
Liaise and advocate for patient needs within the Hudson Regional Cancer Program and with other cancer care groups.
Monitor, assess, and evaluate program uptake on an ongoing basis.
Deliver therapeutic interventions using mainstream and culturally supportive models consistent with Indigenous worldview.
Use culturally grounded approaches such as healing/sharing circles, ritual, storytelling, involvement of Elders and Traditional Medicine people, smudging ceremony, role modeling, and instructive parables.
Advocate for appropriate services within the team and community.
Help patients identify treatment goals.
Actively participate in relevant committees and communities of practice.
Work collaboratively with healthcare providers across the region and facilitate knowledge transfer.
Provide presentations to disseminate and share results of initiatives
Requirements summary
University degree in health, Indigenous studies, or social sciences; or college diploma with five years’ work experience in health and/or social work (or culturally recognized equivalent).
Completion of the SE Health Indigenous Patient Navigation Program preferred.
TEACH training - Tobacco Interventions for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Populations preferred.
Lived experience within an Indigenous community and knowledge of Indigenous cultural practices.
Experience and understanding of First Nation, Métis, and Inuit history, culture, health determinants, and perspectives on health and well-being.
Experience addressing Indigenous-specific healthcare issues and social determinants of health.
Previous involvement in program development, implementation, and evaluation.
Demonstrated collaboration and relationship-building with mainstream internal and external stakeholders.
Experience in healthcare provision specific to Indigenous community members and knowledge of the cancer care continuum as it relates to the Indigenous Path of Well-Being.
Strong interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills; ability to foster trust.
Commitment to culturally safe, trauma-informed, patient- and family-centered care.
Organizational, problem-solving, prioritization, and multitasking skills.
Critical thinking and clinical judgment for decision-making and resource coordination.
Ability to adapt and take initiative with minimal supervision.
Highly developed skills in culturally relevant assessment and trauma-informed therapeutic intervention for individuals, groups, and families.
Extensive knowledge of FNIM healthcare needs from a cultural perspective.
In-depth understanding of the Ontario Cancer System/Plan and the FNIMUI Cancer Strategy.
Ability to navigate the Health Canada First Nation and Inuit Health Branch Non-Insured Health Benefits Program.
Demonstrated ability to work in an interprofessional team and independently with strong time management.
Critical thinking, problem solving, analytical thinking, and evidence-based practice.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Outlook; working knowledge of Meditech and reporting systems is an asset.
Excellent communication skills (written, consultative, verbal, and presentation).
University degree in health, Indigenous studies or social sciences field; or college diploma with five years’ work experience in the health and/or social work field, or culturally recognized equivalentCompletion of the SE Health Indigenous Patient Navigation Program (preferred)TEACH training - Tobacco Interventions for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Populations (preferred)evidence-based practicepresentationsresource coordinationknowledge transferorganizational and problem-solving skillsculturally safe, trauma-informed, patient- and family-centered carebiopsychosocial assessmentculturally relevant risk assessmentculturally supportive therapeutic interventionmotivational counsellingmedicine wheel counselling
Job description
Job Title Indigenous Patient Navigator Program & Department Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre -> Indigenous Patient Svcs -> Indigenous Patient Svcs Regular / Temporary Regular Full / Part Time Full-Time Temporary End Date (Anticipated) Union Non Union Requisition Close Date 03 July 2026 Salary Plan / Job Grade $46.22 - $54.15 ( NU_07 ) Job Posting Reason Current Vacancy Job Summary & Requirements The Indigenous Patient Navigator (IPN, Cancer) is a key member of the Indigenous Patient Services team at RVH and will provide support and advocacy for Indigenous patients, families and caregivers in the Hudson Regional Cancer Program. The IPN (Cancer) will facilitate and coordinate access to cancer services, address cultural/spiritual needs, and network with healthcare partners to coordinate culturally-grounded services for Indigenous patients. In addition, the IPN (Cancer) works closely with the Regional Indigenous Cancer Lead and Indigenous Project Coordinator (Cancer), contributing to program development, provider education and cancer system improvement. The Indigenous Patient Navigator’s work aligns with strategic direction from Ontario Health’s First Nations, Inuit, Métis and Urban Indigenous (FNIMUI) Cancer Strategy (2024 to 2028), and shared priorities with the Indigenous Health Circle / Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle as affirmed in the existing Letter of Relationship. Primary Responsibilities: FNIMUI Patient-Focused Assessment:
Conduct biopsychosocial assessments taking into consideration Indigenous cultural imperatives, the ongoing effects of intergenerational trauma, Indigenous worldview, and their community and helping network
Conduct culturally relevant risk assessments of each patient and their support system that take into consideration cultural imperatives, values, and beliefs
Review patient records
Consult with other health professionals and agencies such as Community Health Centres, Traditional healers and Elders from the various communities who are also providing support to patients
Ongoing assessment and/or evaluation of treatment plan
Timely and accurate documentation
Identify and document the needs of Indigenous patients and their families
Develop strategies that will best meet the needs of Indigenous patients and their families in the Hudson Regional Cancer Program
Increase awareness of cancer care among Indigenous patients with cancer and their families
Improve access to cancer services for Indigenous patients with cancer and their families
Fluency in FNIM language is an asset
stakeholder communication across the continuum
relationship-building and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders
prioritization and multitasking in a fast-paced environment
critical thinking and clinical judgment
ability to adapt to change and take initiative with minimal supervision
documentation accuracy and timeliness
interprofessional teamwork and independent work
Microsoft Office and Outlook proficiency
Meditech and financial/healthcare reporting systems (asset)
navigation of Non-Insured Health Benefits Program
excellent written, consultative, verbal and presentation communication
Build productive relationships with Indigenous communities and community partners in the region
Liaise and advocate for the needs of Indigenous patients with cancer and their families within the Hudson Regional Cancer Program and with other groups involved in cancer care
Monitor, assess and evaluate the uptake of the program on an ongoing basis Therapeutic Intervention:
Utilize a variety of models of intervention from both mainstream counseling theory and culturally supportive models consistent with Indigenous worldview such as patient centered therapy, motivational counselling, medicine wheel counselling, Miikaans Traditional Indigenous therapy and more
Additional cultural approaches to be used include healing/sharing circles, ritual, storytelling, involvement of Elders and Traditional Medicine people, smudging ceremony, role modeling, use of instructive parables
Advocate within the team and community for appropriate services for the patient
Help patients identify treatment goals
Consult with other health professionals and agencies on a regular basis
Ongoing assessment and/or evaluation of treatment plan Communication & Facilitation:
Communicate with a variety of stakeholders from across the continuum
Actively participate in relevant committees (i.e. North Simcoe Muskoka Indigenous Health Circle, Ontario Health's Indigenous Patient Navigator Community of Practice)
Work collaboratively with healthcare providers across the region
Facilitate knowledge transfer
Provide presentations to disseminate and share results of initiatives Education & Certifications:
University degree in health, Indigenous studies or social sciences field; or college diploma with five years’ work experience in the health and/or social work field, or culturally recognized equivalent
Completion of the SE Health Indigenous Patient Navigation Program preferred
TEACH training - Tobacco Interventions for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Populations preferred Experience:
Lived experience within an Indigenous community, combined with knowledge of Indigenous cultural practices
Experience and understanding of First Nation, Métis and Inuit history, culture, health determinants, and perspectives on health and well-being
Experience in addressing Indigenous-specific healthcare issues and social determinants of health
Previous involvement in program development, implementation and evaluation
Demonstrated skills with collaboration and relationship-building with mainstream internal and external stakeholders
Experience in healthcare provision specific to Indigenous community members, and knowledge of the cancer care continuum as it relates to the Indigenous Path of Well-Being Skills and Competencies:
Strong interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills with the ability to foster trust with patients, families, and interprofessional teams
Commitment to providing culturally safe, trauma-informed, patient- and family-centered care
Proven organizational and problem-solving skills with the ability to prioritize and multi-task in a fast-paced environment
Effective critical thinking and clinical judgment in decision-making and resource coordination
Ability to adapt to change and take initiative on projects with minimal supervision
Highly developed skills in the area of culturally relevant assessment and trauma-informed therapeutic intervention with individuals, groups, and families are essential
Extensive knowledge of FNIM healthcare needs from a cultural perspective
In-depth understanding of the complexities of the Ontario Cancer System, the Ontario Cancer Plan and the First Nations, Inuit, Métis and Urban Indigenous Cancer Strategy
Ability to navigate the Health Canada First Nation and Inuit Health Branch Non-Insured Health Benefits Program
Demonstrated ability to work as a member of an interprofessional team, and also independently with superior time management skills
Demonstrated skills in critical thinking, problem solving, analytical thinking and evidence-based practice
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Outlook; working knowledge of Meditech and financial/healthcare reporting systems an asset
Excellent communication skills (written, consultative, verbal and presentation)
Fluency in FNIM language is an asset Equity & Inclusion RVH is committed to recruitment and selection practices anchored in principles of equity and inclusion that contribute to an anti-oppressive, respectful, and culturally safe workplace. We invite applications from individuals who belong to groups that have been historically marginalized on the grounds identified by the Ontario Human Right Code, including but not limited to race, disability, age, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, family or marital status, and status as a First Nation, Métis, or Inuk person. To learn about how RVH is taking steps to create and sustain an equitable, inclusive, accessible and culturally-safe environment, please visit: https://www.rvh.on.ca/about-rvh/equity-inclusion/ Accommodations RVH is dedicated to ensuring every applicant has a fair and equitable opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and abilities throughout our recruitment and selection process. We are continuously working to create an accessible, barrier-free process, and recognize each applicant’s needs are different. We encourage applicants with a disability or circumstance that could be supported with an accommodation to contact People Recruitment at Recruitment@rvh.on.ca. RVH does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to screen, assess, or select applicants. If you are interested in this position, please apply online before 11:00 p.m. EST on the Requisition Close Date. If there is no close date listed above, the requisition will remain open until filled.
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