Indigenous Cultural Support Worker

Powell River Educational Services Society; Powell River; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A community health organization in Powell River seeks a full-time role focused on providing cultural and emotional support to Indigenous clients facing homelessness or housing insecurity. The position requires a certificate in Community Social Service and experience working with Indigenous populations. Responsibilities include assisting clients in connecting to vital services and collaborating with a multidisciplinary care team. Ideal candidates will have a strong understanding of cultural safety and advocacy within the healthcare system.

Qualifications

• Completion of a certificate in a Community Social Service or related program is required.
• Demonstrated ability to provide culturally safe care.
• Experience working with Indigenous populations is essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide cultural and emotional support to Indigenous clients.
• Participate in the development of culturally appropriate care protocols.
• Assist clients in connecting to services like mental health and housing.

Skills

Culturally safe care knowledge

Ability to communicate effectively

Conflict resolution skills

Knowledge of traditional healing practices

Ability to maintain rapport

Ability to recognize changes in clients

Education

Certificate in Community Social Service or related program

Job description

Location: Powell River/qathet Regional District

Salary Or Wage: $31.68 to $32.72 per hour

Job Type: Full Time

List of Requirements

• Completion of a certificate in a Community Social Service or related program and two years of recent, related experience working with Indigenous individuals with complex health and/or psychosocial problems or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Valid BC Class 5 Driver’s License and acceptable Driver’s Abstract as travel within the health authority is required.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• 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 candidates who identify as Indigenous including First Nations, Metis or Inuit.
• Demonstrated Health Care experience; including experience working with Indigenous patients; experience working with Indigenous populations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of local First Nations community and other Indigenous serving organizations, including an understanding of wellness and history, cultural knowledge, understanding of intergenerational trauma.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and recognize power inequities within the healthcare system associated with colonization and the impact on healthcare to Indigenous people and communities.
• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide culturally safe care, has knowledge of cultural humility and anti-racism practices, has completed Indigenous Cultural Safety training.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Trauma and Violence Informed Practice.
• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to apply a Harm Reduction approach to care.
• Ability to establish and maintain rapport with a diverse range of community members, volunteers, and with health, social and legal service providers for the designated client population/community.
• Ability to communicate effectively and respectfully both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to organize, prioritize and respond to competing responsibilities.
• Ability to recognize changes in client/community members and adjust approaches appropriately
• Knowledge of traditional healing practices
• Ability to solve problems and take initiative.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Skills in conflict resolution, facilitation, and advocacy.
• Ability to compose business correspondence.
• Ability to operate related equipment including applicable software applications.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the job.

List of Duties

• Works as part of a care team to provide cultural and emotional support to Indigenous clients experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity by maximizing connection, self-worth, and community membership.
• Build unique and purposeful relationships with clients that are respectful, trusting, compassionate, and collaborative.
• Participates in the development of culturally appropriate integrated intake, care coordination activities, procedures and protocols of the Tla’amin Health Services. Lift Community Services and VCH organizations and staff.
• Supports members of the care team to assist clients with completing forms and applications, as well as providing support to connect to services such as substance use treatment, mental health, medical, housing, financial security and other services.
• Collaborates with client’s health care team or primary care provider to support and facilitate elements of the treatment plan as needed, i.e. connecting client to services or accompanying client to appointments.
• Identifies and locates appropriate community resources for clients, supports access and accompaniment to resources as needed to facilitate connection and strong relationships between community resources and Indigenous individuals.
• Works with members of the care team to assist with culturally appropriate co-facilitation of healing circles and cultural activities that honor Indigenous spiritual and cultural identity.
• Works both independently and collaboratively toward agency goals and initiatives both within the agency and in the community. Maintains collaborative relationship with Tla’amin, Lift Community Services and the VCH teams and external agencies.
• Participates in team meetings as coordinated by the interdisciplinary team Manager, Clinician or delegated alternate.
• Complete required documentation, including electronic charting as outlined in the designated Complex Care Housing procedures.
• Performs a variety of general clerical duties, such as responding to calls/answering inquiries regarding routine program information, maintaining up-to-date client files, utilizing a variety of computer software applications and keyboards and producing a variety of documents, filing, photocopying, faxing and data entry.
• Carries out responsibilities in accordance with health and safety requirements. Immediately reports unsafe situations by notifying supervisor or other appropriate personnel.
• Respect and maintain confidentiality of clients.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

How to Apply

To apply for this job please use one of the methods listed below:

Lift's Employment Services posts this position as a free service for the community. Lift does not screen employers or applicants, and assumes no responsibility or liability for the job posting. Any arrangements are between the job seeker and the employer.