Indigenous Patient Navigator & Care Advocate

CHEO; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 63,000 - 79,000; Full time

Job summary

CHEO in Ottawa is seeking an Indigenous Patient Navigator to support First Nations, Inuit, Métis and Urban Indigenous patients and families in accessing equitable, safe, timely, and culturally responsive care.

The IPN will work with Indigenous patients, families, clinical teams, and community partners to facilitate navigation, advocacy, and care coordination while centering Indigenous world views and self-determination.

Qualifications

• Lived experience with Indigenous communities and strong cultural awareness.
• 3 years of health navigation, case management, or related field experience.
• 4 years of collaboration with clinical teams and community partners.
• Knowledge of Indigenous histories, cultures, languages, holistic wellness models, and colonial impacts.
• Strong communication and facilitation skills across cultures and teams.
• Bilingual (French and English) proficiency is preferred.
• Fluency in one or more Indigenous languages is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide navigation and advocacy for Indigenous patients and families across care settings.
• Support consent, care planning, scheduling, referrals, and follow-up including transportation.
• Address barriers and escalate concerns related to discrimination or unsafe care.
• Explain diagnoses and treatment options to patients and families, supporting shared decision making.
• Participate in case conferences and quality improvement activities.

Skills

Lived Indigenous communities knowledge

Health navigation experience

Collaboration with clinical teams

Indigenous health context knowledge

Communication and facilitation skills

Bilingual English/French

Indigenous languages (any)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, Social Work or Indigenous Health field

Job description

CHEO in Ottawa is seeking an Indigenous Patient Navigator to support First Nations, Inuit, Métis and Urban Indigenous patients and families in accessing equitable, safe, timely, and culturally responsive care.

The IPN will work with Indigenous patients, families, clinical teams, and community partners to facilitate navigation, advocacy, and care coordination while centering Indigenous world views and self-determination.