Indigenous Birth Support Worker Prince Albert Grand Council

First Nations University of Canada; Prince Albert; Hybrid; CAD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site training support

Job summary

Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) is seeking an Indigenous Birth Support Worker to provide emotional support, cultural liaison, and practical assistance to Indigenous women and families before, during, and after childbirth at PAGC Health and Social Development in Prince Albert.

The role emphasizes connection to Elders and Traditional Healers, facilitation of culturally safe birth practices, and collaboration with nurses, physicians, and midwives to ensure culturally responsive care.

Qualifications

• Minimum qualification of Grade 12 or GED.
• Preferred completion of Indigenous Birth Support Worker Program or Birth Doula Certificate.
• Willingness to travel and possessing a valid driver''s license.

Responsibilities

• Provide connection to Elders, Cultural Advisors or Traditional Healers.
• Develop culturally appropriate birth plans with families.
• Act as liaison to support language, tradition, or culture in client-staff communication.
• Model culturally safe practices.
• Support Indigenous women alongside nurses, physicians and midwives during prenatal, birth and post-partum periods.
• Discuss birth preferences with women prior to active labour when possible.
• Advocate for women''s birth plans in their care.
• Provide emotional support and physical comfort to women, partners and families.
• Coordinate with staff to connect patient with cultural, social or community supports.
• Facilitate traditional birthing practices and ceremonies as desired by the patient.
• Document in medical records and participate in rounds.

Skills

Cultural liaison

Emotional support

Language translation

Driver's license

Team coordination

Education

Grade 12 or GED

Certificate in Indigenous Birth Support Worker Program

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

INDIGENOUS BIRTH SUPPORT WORKER

Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) is seeking highly motivated individuals for the position of Indigenous Birth Support Worker. The Indigenous Birth Support Worker position is responsible for providing women, their partners, and families with continuous emotional support, physical comfort, and assistance in obtaining information before, during, or just after childbirth. This may include very specific cultural practices that the birthing mother and/or couple wish to incorporate into their birthing experience. The worker will act as a liaison to Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and Traditional Healers as desired by women and their families. The current posting is a temporary position with an end date of January 2028 – possibility of extension.

Duties:

A. Cultural Liaison

• Provide connection to Elders, Cultural Advisors or Traditional Healers
• Provide support to the women and their families in the development of a culturally appropriate birth plan.
• Act as a liaison to support language, tradition, or culture in communication between the client and staff.
• Model culturally safe practices.

B. Patient Care

• Alongside nurses, physicians and midwives support Indigenous women during their prenatal, birth and early post-partum periods.
• When possible, meet with women to discuss their birth preferences prior to active labour.
• Provide input into women’s care plan and advocate for the women’s birth plans.
• Provide women, their partners and families with emotional support, physical comfort, and assistance in obtaining information before, during or just after childbirth.
• Facilitate translation if required.
• Liaison with staff to connect patient with cultural, social or community supports as appropriate.
• Facilitate traditional birthing practices and ceremonies as desired by the patient.
• Document in the client’s medical record as required.
• Actively participate in team rounds and handover.

C. Education

• Deliver basic prenatal education to hospitalized women.
• Provide in the moment staff education and information about cultural birthing.

D. Related Key Activities

• Participate on various Maternal Services Committees in order to represent the needs of Indigenous women.
• Participate in data collection and research as appropriate.
• Coordinate with the First Nations and Metis Health Services to ensure culturally responsive care.
• Utilize the First Nations and Metis Health Service as personal and professional support as you support Indigenous families and help to create a culturally responsive workplace.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum qualification of Grade 12 or GED and a Vulnerable Sector Check.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certificate or enrolled in Indigenous Birth Support Worker Program or Certificate in Birth Doula Studies Program

Other:

• On site training provided which may include financial support to take the Indigenous Birth Support Worker Certificate (IBWC) for qualified applicant.
• Basic knowledge of medical terminology and physiology of birth.
• Knowledge of the history of Indigenous People in Canada
• Knowledge in Protocol, Indigenous Ceremonies and Practices
• Knowledge in Traditional Birthing Practices
• Ability to take initiative and work both independently and as a team member.
• Proficient with computers, i.e., Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Be familiar with and understand First Nations barriers/issues/culture.
• Willingness to travel and possession of a valid driver’s license.
• Must be willing to travel and must possess a valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle and must submit a current Criminal Record Check.
• Work irregular or extended hours to complete special requests and/or projects.
• Manage several people, priorities, and projects at one time, and may have to respond to emergency or crisis situations.
• The environment requires organizational, time management and stress management skills.

Salary: To Commensurate with qualifications. A combination of education, relevant training and work experience will be considered.

On the basis that PAGC’s primary purpose is to serve the needs of Indigenous persons, PAGC may give preference to Indigenous persons as a special plan designed to promote employment equity and prevent disadvantages, under S. 16 of the Canadian Human Rights Act and as a designated equity group under The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code.

DEADLINE: Posted until filled

Only those candidates shortlisted for an interview will be contacted. Shortlist candidates must be willing to provide a current original copy of the Canadian Criminal Records with Vulnerable Sector Check at the time of the interview and three (3) written reference letters

Job Type: Full-time Schedule: Monday to Friday Work Location: In person-Prince Albert Grand Council Health and Social Development