INDIGENOUS HEALTH SERVICE ASSISTANT

Northern Health; Fort St. John; On-site; CAD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Ceremonial leave

Indigenous practice community

Extended health & dental

Municipal pension plan

4 weeks vacation

Moving expenses

Referral program

Training opportunities

Outdoor activities

Loan forgiveness

Job summary

Northern Health is seeking an Indigenous Health Service Assistant for the Fort St. John Hospital. The role centers on engaging with Indigenous patients, families, and visitors to ensure a culturally safe experience within the facility and programs.

Under supervision, the assistant supports access to cultural and clinical services, orientation and wayfinding, and smooth admission/discharge processes, while coordinating with the care team and Indigenous communities in northern British Columbia.

Qualifications

• Graduation from a recognized Social Services Worker certificate or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Knowledge of First Nations, Metis and Inuit health care needs and culture is essential.
• Lived experience with Indigenous populations and knowledge of Indigenous health contexts is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Engage with First Nations, Métis and Inuit patients, families and visitors to support a culturally safe experience.
• Facilitate access to cultural and clinical support services and navigate admissions/discharges.
• Support communication between the care team and patients and families.

Skills

Communication skills

Cultural safety

Trauma-informed care

Indigenous knowledge

Physical ability

Organizational skills

Equipment operation

Education

Social Services Worker certificate

Job description

Position Summary

Northern Health values diversity within the workplace and our commitment of reaching a representative workforce. For this position, we also want to highlight First Nation, Inuit, Métis or Indigenous Ancestry is regarded as directly relevant to the skills and knowledge for this position. All candidates will be considered; however, preference will be given to Indigenous applicants.

Are you interested in an opportunity to grow professionally within a positive and progressive culture? Northern Health is seeking an Indigenous Health Service Assistant for the Fort St. John Hospital.

In accordance with the established mission, vision, values, and strategic priorities of Northern Health, and under the general supervision of Manager or designate, the Indigenous Health Service Assistant (Indigenous Service Assistant) proactively engages with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit patients, families and visitors to support a culturally safe experience in the assigned facilities and/or programs. Key areas of focus include enabling access to the appropriate cultural and clinical support services; orientation and wayfinding for patients and families to the site and services; supporting admission and discharge processes; and supporting communication between the care team and the patient and family. The Indigenous Health Service Assistant works with the health care staff in the First Nations communities and Métis Chartered communities, including the Health Director, Community Health Representative, and other team members. The Indigenous Health Service Assistant develops an understanding of the culture and traditions of the First Nations and Métis communities using the facilities and services.

Shift Rotation/Hours of work:

Days - 08:00 to 16:00, Rotating

Qualfications

• Graduation from a recognized Social Services Worker certificate or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Knowledge and appreciation of the unique history, cultures, and rights of First Nations, Metis and Inuit Peoples in Canada is required.
• Lived experience with Indigenous, Metis and Inuit populations and demonstrated extensive knowledge of First Nations, Metis and Inuit health care needs, services, and issues as well as knowledge of culture, protocols, traditions, and ideology of Indigenous people and organizations in northern British Columbia is an asset.
• Preference will be given to First Nations, Metis and Inuit candidates.

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, with Indigenous patients, families, care providers, administrative staff, and volunteers.
• Ability to deal with others effectively, in the context of patient centred, culturally safe and trauma-informed care.
• Knowledge of Indigenous culture & traditions and receptivity to continuous learning specific to the Indigenous communities to be served by this position.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.
• Ability to organize work.
• Ability to operate related equipment.

Where you will be working:

Facility: Additional details about this facility’s programs and care environment can be found through Fort St. John Hospital

Community: Information about living, working, and thriving in the area is available through Fort St. John

More about Northern Health

Northern Health (NH) boasts the most affordable communities in BC to live, work, and play. NH covers an area of nearly 600,000 square kilometres and offers health services in 26 communities, 55 First Nations communities, 11 Métis chartered communities, and Inuit families. We provide both hospital and community-based care to a population of approximately 300,000 people. With a team of over 12,000 staff and physicians, we are committed to offering high quality, care in collaboration with communities and partner organizations throughout Northern BC.

What Northern Health Has to Offer You!

• Benefits for Indigenous Employees: Ceremonial, Cultural, and Spiritual Leave, Access to NH Indigenous Community of Practice.
• Comprehensive benefits including extended health, dental, and a municipal pension plan for part-time and full-time employees. Casual employees have option of paying for benefits.
• Four weeks of vacation after one year of continuous service.
• Financial support for moving expenses for eligible positions.
• Employee referral program with attractive incentives.
• Employer-paid training and leadership development opportunities.
• Access to spectacular outdoor activities and enjoy the shortest commutes in BC.
• Loan Forgiveness Programs offered through Federal and Provincial Government for eligible professions.