Indigenous Patient Navigator: Culturally Safe Care & Access

CHEO; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

CHEO in Ottawa, Ontario is seeking an Indigenous Patient Navigator to support First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and Urban Indigenous patients and families in accessing equitable, culturally responsive care across CHEO and the broader health system.

You will partner with patients, families, clinical teams, and community partners to navigate, advocate, and coordinate care while centering Indigenous world views and self-determination.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, Social Work or related Indigenous Health field (Essential)
• Lived experience and a strong connection to Indigenous communities (Essential)
• 3 years’ experience in health navigation, case management, community health, social services, or related fields serving Indigenous peoples (Essential)
• 4 years’ experience collaborating with clinical teams and community partners (Essential)
• Knowledge of Indigenous histories, cultures, languages, holistic wellness models, colonial impacts, intergenerational trauma, social determinants of health (Essential)
• Knowledge of trauma and violence informed, culturally safe, and anti-racist approaches within health systems (Essential)
• Ability to advocate for Indigenous patients by navigating complex systems and ethically leveraging resources (Essential)
• Strong communication and facilitation skills across cultures (Essential)
• Ability to work independently and in interprofessional environments (Essential)
• Working knowledge of client information systems and Indigenous data sovereignty (Essential)
• Strong analytical, adaptability, and problem-solving skills (Essential)
• Strong organizational and time management skills (Essential)
• Commitment to excellence and patient-focused care (Essential)
• Training in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention and related areas (Preferred)
• Knowledge of NIHB and Jordan’s Principle (Preferred)
• Ability to work with interpreters (Preferred)
• Bilingual in French and English (Preferred)
• Fluency in Indigenous languages (Preferred)
• * An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Provide trauma informed, culturally safe navigation for Indigenous patients and families across services.
• Support informed consent, care planning, appointments, referrals, and follow up.
• Advocate for patient rights by addressing barriers and escalating concerns related to discrimination or unsafe care.
• Explain diagnoses, treatments, options, medications, and care pathways; facilitate shared decision making.
• Participate in case management discussions or Safety Incident Report debriefs as required.
• Promote access to cultural safety practices and antiracism initiatives.
• Facilitate access to traditional medicines, Elders, ceremony, and land-based supports per patient preference.
• Connect staff to educational resources on Indigenous health contexts and determinants of health.
• Contribute to developing resources supporting staff and learners on Indigenous Safer Care.
• Document navigation activities in privacy-compliant systems and support Indigenous data sovereignty.
• Support program metrics and quality improvement reporting.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Cultural safety

Advocacy

Care coordination

Communication

Interprofessional collaboration

Indigenous health knowledge

Bilingual (French/English)

Navigation

Education

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

Job description

CHEO in Ottawa, Ontario is seeking an Indigenous Patient Navigator to support First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and Urban Indigenous patients and families in accessing equitable, culturally responsive care across CHEO and the broader health system.

You will partner with patients, families, clinical teams, and community partners to navigate, advocate, and coordinate care while centering Indigenous world views and self-determination.