Regional Indigenous Patient Navigator

Universityhealthnetwork; Toronto; On-site; CAD 124,560,000 - 155,706,000; Full time

Job summary

The Toronto Central South Regional Cancer Program at University Health Network seeks an Indigenous Regional Indigenous Patient Navigator (RIPN) to support Indigenous patients throughout their cancer journey. You will provide navigation, access to culturally relevant supports, and strengthen connections between healthcare partners and Indigenous communities.

Role emphasizes health equity, culturally safer care for Indigenous peoples, and education of future healthcare professionals.

Qualifications

• Degree in Social Work or Nursing preferred; equivalent lived experience considered.
• Minimum 3 years of practical related experience or on-the-job training.
• Deep knowledge of Indigenous Nations, communities and cultural protocols.
• Experience building relationships with Indigenous leaders, Elders, and knowledge keepers.
• Experience in cultural safety, anti-racist practice and trauma-informed care.
• Strong decision-making, problem-solving and judgment skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication abilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide advocacy, navigation, coordination, and culturally safe support for Indigenous patients and families.
• Facilitate access to Indigenous ceremonies, medicines, Elders, and community resources.
• Support care planning through case discussions and referrals as appropriate.
• Travel to hospital sites and community organizations in the Toronto Central region.
• Identify barriers affecting Indigenous patient care and contribute to improvement initiatives.
• Support development and evaluation of programs and referral pathways reflecting Indigenous perspectives.
• Serve as a resource to staff and learners on Indigenous needs and experiences.
• Promote awareness of Indigenous cultures and traditional practices through education.
• Support data collection and reporting on program outcomes and patient needs.
• Represent the organization on committees and community initiatives.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Cultural safety

Indigenous knowledge

Relationship building

Team collaboration

Diplomacy

Education

Degree in Social Work or Nursing

Job description

Union: Non-Union

Number of vacancies: 1

New or Replacement Position: Replacement

Site: Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

Department: Toronto Central South Regional Cancer Program

Reports to: Director, Toronto Central South Regional Cancer Program

Salary Range: $43.47 - $54.34 per hour

Hours: 37.5 per week

Shifts: Monday to Friday - Days

Status: Permanent Full-Time

Closing Date: September 15, 2026

Position Summary

The Toronto Central South Regional Cancer Program (TCS RCP) , led by Ontario Health and based at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, works with hospital and community partners to improve cancer care across the region. The Program supports University Health Network, Sinai Health, Women's College Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Humber River Health, and collaborates with partners in the Toronto Central North Regional Cancer Program. This work is guided by Ontario Cancer Plan 6, the Toronto Central Regional Cancer Strategy, and the Toronto Central Regional Indigenous Cancer Plan (2024-2028).

The TCS RCP is responsible for implementing provincial cancer care standards, supporting quality improvement initiatives, coordinating care across the cancer system, and monitoring performance outcomes.

The Regional Indigenous Cancer Program plays a key role in improving cancer care experiences and outcomes for Indigenous patients and caregivers. Guided by the Toronto Central Regional Indigenous Cancer Plan (2024-2028), the team works with Indigenous communities, organizations, and health system partners to address barriers to care and advance culturally safe, trauma-informed services for First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and urban Indigenous peoples.

The Regional Indigenous Patient Navigator (RIPN) is an integral member of the Regional Indigenous Cancer Program team. Working with patients, families, healthcare providers, and community partners, the RIPN supports Indigenous patients throughout their cancer journey by providing navigation services, facilitating access to culturally relevant supports, and strengthening connections between healthcare organizations and Indigenous communities.

This position reflects the University Health Network's commitment to health equity, culturally safer care for Indigenous Peoples and other structurally marginalized groups, and the education of future healthcare professionals.

First Nations, Inuit and Métis persons are strongly encouraged to apply.

Duties:

• Provide advocacy, navigation, coordination, and culturally safe support for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis patients and their families/caregivers.
• Facilitate access to Indigenous ceremonies, medicines, Elders, Traditional Knowledge Keepers, Traditional Healers, and community resources.
• Support care planning through participation in case discussions, referrals, and care-related consultations, as appropriate.
• Travel to hospital sites and community organizations across the Toronto Central region, as required.
• Identify barriers and gaps impacting Indigenous patient care and contribute to initiatives that improve access, safety, quality, and patient experience.
• Support the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs, practices, and referral pathways that reflect Indigenous perspectives, values, and knowledge.
• Serve as a resource to staff, learners, and leaders on the needs and experiences of Indigenous patients and communities.
• Promote awareness and understanding of Indigenous cultures, knowledges, and traditional practices through collaboration and educational initiatives.
• Support data collection, reporting, and tracking activities related to program outcomes, service utilization, and patient needs.
• Represent the organization on committees, working groups, conferences, and community initiatives, as required.
• Perform other related duties consistent with the scope and level of the position.

Qualifications

• A degree in Social Work, Nursing or in a related field is preferred, along with direct care experience in healthcare delivery; however, equivalent lived experience and knowledge gained through community-based pathways will also be considered
• Minimum 3 years of practical, related experience or on the job training
• Dynamic knowledge of Indigenous Nations, community engagement and cultural protocols
• Experience building and nurturing relationships with Indigenous communities, Leaders, Elders, Healers, Language Speakers, Oral Historians and Knowledge Keepers
• Experience with Indigenous cultural safety training, anti-racist practice and trauma-informed care
• Well-developed decision-making, problem-solving and judgement skills are required
• Good interpersonal, oral and written communication skills
• Ability to have and use diplomacy and tact at all times
• Proven ability to work as a team member and independently
• Experience in healthcare an asset
• Demonstrated lived experience as a member of the constitutionally recognized Indigenous peoples of Canada (First Nations, Inuit, Métis) preferred
• Facilitation and/or teaching experience to a variety of dive