Indigenous Health Navigator

The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids); Toronto; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading children's healthcare institution in Toronto seeks an Indigenous Health Navigator to support First Nations, Inuit, and Métis patients and families. The role encompasses providing culturally safe care, facilitating access to traditional healing practices, and assisting with healthcare navigation. This temporary full-time position offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact while working in a diverse and inclusive setting.

Benefits

Employee benefits

Focus on employee wellness

Opportunity to contribute to equity and inclusion objectives

Qualifications

• Three years of navigation, case management or similar experience in healthcare.
• Familiarity with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities and organizations.
• Willingness to participate in ongoing cultural learning.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct support services to families and clinical teams.
• Assist families in navigating services at SickKids and the community.
• Facilitate access to traditional Indigenous healing ceremonies.

Skills

Strong knowledge of Indigenous history and intergenerational trauma

Excellent written and oral communication skills

Superior interpersonal and negotiation skills

Problem-solving abilities

Understanding of cultural sensitivity

Education

Lived experience as First Nations, Inuit or Métis

Experience in navigation, case management

Job description

Overview

Indigenous Health Navigator — Job ID: 22955. Deadline to Apply: 2025-09-12. Target Openings: 1.

As a member of the Patient & Family Relations department, the Indigenous Health Navigator & Patient and Family Relations Specialist works with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis patients, families, their healthcare providers, and other community members to support a culturally safe environment for Indigenous patients and families seeking care. The role is grounded in decolonial intersectional anti-racism and anti-oppression pedagogy and focuses on providing in-hospital assistance to ensure culturally safe care. The navigator facilitates handling of complaints, concerns, and compliments within a child and family-centred care framework, using strong interview, facilitation, negotiation, and de-escalation skills to assess concerns without bias. The role balances fair, equitable responses with the organization\'s ethical values within the Patient and Family Experience team.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct support services to families and clinical teams, including support to Indigenous families during clinical encounters in in-patient and out-patient areas.
• Help families access services at SickKids and within the greater external community.
• Facilitate and support traditional Indigenous healing ceremonies.
• Connect families to Elders and Healers for spiritual and emotional support, including SickKids\' Elder-in-Residence.
• Provide culturally sensitive guidance to clinicians during clinical encounters.
• Assist with applying for Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) for First Nations and Inuit Peoples and other services available through Jordan\'s Principle.
• Connect families to local community resources (e.g., sweat lodges and sacred spaces).
• Facilitate access to emergency clothing, toiletries, and other needs.
• Provide assistance to report concerns about care/service and facilitate resolution.
• Inform Indigenous patients/families of internal mechanisms for reporting concerns about care and service.
• Liaise with patients, family members, significant others, and hospital personnel to manage complaints, concerns, and compliments.
• Use appropriate communication, crisis management, and de-escalation techniques to defuse confrontational situations.
• Develop and implement an action plan to handle complaints from start to finish.
• liaise with the Indigenous Health Program Manager to inform the work of the Indigenous Health Program.
• Participate in quarterly Indigenous Health Program Advisory meetings.
• Coordinate Elder-in-Residence visits with patients and families and maintain regular contact with the Elder.
• Care for sacred medicines and provide Indigenous patients and families with medicine bundles; keep inventory and knowledge of how to care for sacred items.
• Educate staff about the role, available resources, and considerations when caring for Indigenous families.
• Be available for after-hours on-call for urgent support if needed.
• Document interactions with patients/families using Epic.
• Collaborate with the clinical care team and Social Work to provide wraparound care for families.
• Perform administrative duties to ensure department efficiency, attend meetings, and manage the complaints and compliments database for reporting and data analysis.
• Participate in weekly Patient and Family Relations Case Conferences.
• Perform other duties as assigned to enhance patient experience and support hospital initiatives and the Family Centre.

Qualifications

• This position requires lived experience and praxis. The incumbent must be First Nations, Inuit or Métis, with strong knowledge of Indigenous history and intergenerational trauma.
• Familiarity with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities and organizations.
• Three years of navigation, case management, or similar experience in healthcare or social services.
• Familiarity with system navigation models and principles.
• Knowledge of Indigenous organizations and community resources.
• Knowledge and experience with traditional ceremonies and healing practices; ability to perform culturally relevant ceremonies is an asset.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Superior interpersonal, collaboration, facilitation, and negotiation skills.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team.
• Willingness to participate in ongoing cultural learning and traditional teachings.
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion objectives.

Note: We also consider potential beyond exact experience. If you believe you have what it takes, provide more insight in your application and cover letter.

Benefits and What You\'ll Love

• This position is eligible for employee benefits; the full package will be discussed at the time of offer.
• Focus on employee wellness with the Staff Health and Well-being Strategy. Self-care helps us support others.
• Hospital commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
• Opportunity to make an impact and contribute to our vision: Healthier Children. A Better World.
• For more on working at SickKids, visit our careers site.

Employment Type

• Temporary full-time, 12-month contract
• 35 hours per week

To apply, please visit The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) website: SickKids career page