Description:
The Indigenous Birth Navigator supports the work of connecting Indigenous reproductive and birth and practices for a diverse range of families and communities into the acute perinatal setting at BC Women’s Hospital. The Indigenous Birth Navigator brings knowledge of Indigenous ways of approaching the reproductive journey while maintaining an equity, sex and gender lens and anti-indigenous racism strategies. The Indigenous Birth Navigator collaborates with existing navigational and advocacy support currently provided by community and regional health authority partners who facilitate services to perinatal and reproductive care and supports Indigenous communities and organizations to address systemic barriers. The Indigenous Birth Navigator acts as a resource for both Indigenous clients and healthcare providers to ensure the provision of reproduction and birthing care is culturally safe and client-centered and supports the improvement and performance of health care services through the promotion of cultural safety and cultural humility training and education for staff and employees of PHSA. The Indigenous Birth Navigator facilitates relationship building between Indigenous communities, PHSA programs and services and communities within the region. The Indigenous Birth Navigator provides support and advocacy for clients by facilitating and coordinating access to perinatal health care services, addressing cultural/spiritual/ceremonial needs including connection to Indigenous Elders, Birth Keepers, and networking with Indigenous and non-Indigenous health system and community partners.
What you’ll do
- Provide consultative and navigational services to patients referred to PHSA programs and services by supporting cultural interpretation and/or health literacy translation services and by supporting culturally-competent and safe practice (e.g., access, system barriers, and navigation challenges).
- Support patients in communications with physicians, nurses, and other frontline care staff.
- Support access and coordination of services for patients within the designated region.
- As required, coordinate client referrals to and from interagency, Indigenous communities, Indigenous organizations, and other health programs and services.
- Provide client support services within the hospital care system/community by initiating and maintaining working relationships with Indigenous clients to assess their needs and ability to access and receive culturally-safe care.
- Support clients, as requested in the assigned service area, to understand, access, and navigate health care services.
- Advocate for the needs of patients within the health care system and liaise with other community and regional health organizations and promote and work to strengthen collaboration with regional health authorities to improve patient care.
- Provide support and act as a resource, as required, for healthcare providers and other staff members, regarding the provision of culturally safe care.
- Coordinate client/family spiritual care requests and/or access to sacred spaces within the healthcare system to support Indigenous beliefs and practices.
Pursuant to section 41 of the British Columbia Human Rights Code, preference will be given to applicants of Indigenous Ancestry. Please self-identify in your cover letter/resume.
What you bring
Preferred hiring for Indigenous qualified candidates as approved under Special Program Status, BC Human Rights Commission
- A level of education, training, and experience equivalent to diploma or degree in a related health discipline, health or social sciences, or a patient care/clinical related discipline.
- One (1) to three (3) years’ recent related experience working in Indigenous healthcare.
You also have:
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience working with Indigenous (First Nations, Metis and Inuit) communities and organizations. Extensive knowledge of Indigenous peoples’ demographics, languages, cultures, customs and traditions.
- Experience or knowledge of the health care system and community based resources within the region.
- Demonstrated knowledge, understanding and application of cultural safety and competency within healthcare.
- Demonstrated understanding of Canadian colonization, Indigenous specific racism and its impact on the current health and wellness of Indigenous peoples.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team.
- Ability to use sound professional judgment, empathy, compassion and integrity.
- Ability to prioritize workload, keep accurate records and write reports as necessary.
- Ability to adapt as the Indigenous care program evolves.
- Ability to work independently and utilize strong time management skills to meet deadlines and accomplish objectives.
- Lived experience with Indigenous populations is an asset.
What we bring
Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.
- Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth and development.
- Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs, including +2,000 courses, such as our San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles.
- Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
- Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
- PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
- Perks include access to fitness classes and discounts to 350 BC-wide recreational programs, travel, technology, car and bike sharing, and more.