Program Medical Director - Indigenous Health

Fraser Health; Surrey; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 110,000; Part time

Job summary

A health authority in Canada is seeking a part-time Program Medical Director for Indigenous Health. The role involves ensuring culturally safe healthcare delivery, engaging with Indigenous communities, and leading systemic change in health services. Candidates should have a Medical Degree and a strong connection to Indigenous communities. The position offers flexibility to accommodate existing practice commitments and a stipend for compensation.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated understanding of Indigenous health and cultural safety.
• 10 years’ clinical practice experience required.
• Eligible for licensure with the College of Physicians & Surgeons of BC.
• Indigenous leadership experience preferred.
• Commitment to Indigenous cultural safety and Truth and Reconciliation actions.

Responsibilities

• Lead initiatives for Indigenous cultural safety in health services.
• Engage with Indigenous communities to improve health outcomes.
• Collaborate with healthcare partners to innovate care strategies.
• Inform regional Aboriginal Health strategic planning aligning with ministry and Fraser Health goals.
• Provide leadership to Fraser Health physician groups to weave Indigenous health concepts into practice.
• Partner with external stakeholders and participate in Aboriginal Health leadership tables.
• Engage Indigenous communities to reflect needs in regional Aboriginal Health program plans.

Skills

Lived experience with Indigenous communities

Exceptional relationship-building skills

Cultural safety understanding

Education

Medical Degree

CPSBC licensure eligible

Job description

Job Summary

We are seeking a part-time Program Medical Director (PMD), Indigenous Health to join us on our journey to strengthen cultural safety, humility, and reconciliation throughout all practice areas of our health authority. With the chance to lead change on a systemic scale, you will share responsibility to ensure high quality health services and continuous quality improvement for culturally safe service delivery, while working within a supportive team. Your commitment to action will enhance Indigenous cultural safety, address Indigenous-specific racism, and eliminate health disparities between Indigenous and non‑Indigenous peoples.

This opportunity represents a meaningful partnership rooted in trust, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to transformative change.

Health Care Leadership

Your commitment to ensuring a culturally safe care environment across all FH sites will be of the utmost importance. Your voice will engage key partners to guide regional service goals and lead system change to positively impact Indigenous patients and providers. Your strength to address critical matters in partnership is valued as you connect with appropriate Site and Departmental Medical Leaders regarding physician governance, as well as external partners.

As a relationship builder, your commitment to collaborative consultation with Indigenous communities, government and organizational leadership will enhance the delivery of culturally safe care by Fraser Health staff and medical staff. If you are ready to contribute your leadership talents and make real change a priority, we invite you to join the Indigenous Health Team in this meaningful work.

Time Commitment

0.2 - 0.4 FTE. You will be supported by a team who will assist as needed and provided the flexibility required to complement your existing practice.

Qualifications, Experience & Competencies

• Lived experience or strong connection to Indigenous and First Nations communities. With a demonstrated understanding of Indigenous health, cultural safety, and the systemic barriers Indigenous people face in the health system
• Medical Degree & 10 years’ clinical practice experience
• Eligible for licensure with the College of Physicians & Surgeons of BC
• Medical leadership within a clinical or community setting preferred
• Demonstrated commitment to Indigenous cultural safety and Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action.
• Exceptional skills in developing relationships and communicating messages and ideas with humility and a cultural perspective in mind.

Strong preference will be given to candidates who self‑identify as Indigenous including First Nations, Métis, or Inuit.

Key Areas of Involvement

With direction from the VP, Indigenous Health and Cultural Safety, the PMD, Indigenous Health works as an individual contributor role and will build meaningful relationships and impact various stakeholders at all levels and across organizations and communities to contribute towards systemic change in health care. The PMD, Indigenous Health is accountable for the following:

• Be an ambassador for Indigenous Cultural Safety, through the delivery of lectures with colleague physicians on the importance of Cultural Safety in a practice environment, coordinating with various sites to promote the initialization of a Cultural Safety Committee, amongst other initiatives
• Establishes program processes and outcome targets for physicians and clinicians to implement cultural safety and care into their practice, and the development of key indicators for monitoring and reporting in support of meeting strategic goals and objectives.
• With the VP, Indigenous Health and Cultural Safety and working closely with the Indigenous academic and clinical research leadership, facilitates discussions on the development of innovative strategies to facilitate clinical teaching, learning, and research opportunities.
• Informs regional strategic planning for the Aboriginal Health program, within the context of Ministry of Health and Fraser Health strategic plans, ensuring alignment with broader organization objectives.
• Provides leadership and supports Fraser Health physician groups to weave Indigenous health and cultural safety concepts into their clinical practice.
• Partners with external stakeholders such as the Divisions of Family Practice, the BC College of Physician and Surgeons, Medical Advisory Committees, the Medical Directors of BC and other physician leadership tables.
• Engages Indigenous communities, populations, patients/clients/residents, and the broader public to ensure their needs are reflected in the development of regional Aboriginal Health program plans, particularly in areas where significant change is anticipated. Actively participates as a member of joint Aboriginal Health leadership tables, including the Aboriginal Health Steering Committee, the Aboriginal Health Operations Committee, and the Partnership Accord Working Groups.
• Upholds and works in partnership with First Nations, Métis Chartered Communities, First Nations Health Authority, Métis Nation of BC and urban Indigenous organizations throughout region.

We also recognize the emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical labour Indigenous leaders carry in this work. In recognition of that, we offer a flexible work schedule and opportunities to attend gatherings, ceremonies and Indigenous led events.

Compensation

Stipend

Qualifications

CMPA, CPSBC Eligible

Locations

Corporate Office

About Fraser Health

Fraser Health is the heart of health care for over two million people in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley in British Columbia, Canada, on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the Coast Salish and Nlaka’pamux Nations and is home to 32 First Nations within the Fraser Salish region. People - those we care for and those who care for them - are at the heart of everything we do. Our hospital and community-based services are delivered by a team of 50,000+ staff, medical staff and volunteers. We are committed to planetary health and value diversity in the work force. We strive to maintain an environment of respect, caring and trust. Fraser Health’s hiring practices aspire to ensure all individuals are treated in an inclusive, equitable and culturally safe manner. Together, we are the heart of health care.

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