Regional Indigenous Patient Navigator

University Health Network; Toronto; On-site; CAD 59,000 - 74,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Transit access

Flexible work environment

Development opportunities

Job summary

University Health Network seeks a Regional Indigenous Patient Navigator to support Indigenous patients throughout the cancer journey. You will provide navigation, facilitate access to culturally relevant supports, and strengthen connections between healthcare organizations and Indigenous communities.

Based at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, the role emphasizes culturally safe, trauma-informed care, collaboration with partners, and travel across sites in the Toronto Central region.

Qualifications

• Experience in Indigenous cultural safety and trauma-informed practices.
• Strong communication and relationship-building with Indigenous communities.
• Experience in program development and implementation and in care coordination.

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 participation in case discussions and referrals.
• Travel to hospital sites and community organizations across the Toronto Central region as required.

Skills

Indigenous cultural safety training

Trauma-informed care

Interpersonal communication

Community engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Nursing or related field

Job description

• Compensation: CAD 43.47 - CAD 54.34 - hourly

Company Description

UHN is Canada's #1 hospital and the world's #1 publicly funded hospital. With 10 sites and more than 44,000 TeamUHN members, UHN consists of Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, The Michener Institute of Education and West Park Healthcare Centre. As Canada's top research hospital, the scope of biomedical research and complexity of cases at UHN have made it a national and international source for discovery, education and patient care. UHN has the largest hospital-based research program in Canada, with major research in neurosciences, cardiology, transplantation, oncology, surgical innovation, infectious diseases, genomic medicine and rehabilitation medicine. UHN is a research hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto.

UHN’s vision is to build A Healthier World and it’s only because of the talented and dedicated people who work here that we are continually bringing that vision closer to reality.

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, Womens 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.

Program Development and Quality Improvement

• 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.

Staff Support and Education

• 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.

Reporting and Organizational Contributions

• 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 diverse audiences is an asset
• Experience in program development and implementation an asset
• Fluency in an Indigenous language an asset
• Fluent in use of Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.)
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment, experience working in acute care an asset.
• Must be willing to travel across hospital sites in the Toronto Central region

Additional Information

In addition to working alongside some of the most talented and inspiring healthcare professionals in the world, UHN offers a wide range of benefits, programs and perks. It is the comprehensiveness of these offerings that makes it a differentiating factor, allowing you to find value where it matters most to you, now and throughout your career at UHN.

• Close access to Transit and UHN shuttle service
• A flexible work environment
• Opportunities for development and promotions within a large organization
• Additional perks (multiple corporate discounts including: travel, restaurants, parking, phone plans, auto insurance discounts, on-site gyms, etc.)

Current UHN employees must have successfully completed their probationary period, have a good employee record along with satisfactory attendance in accordance with UHN's attendance management program, to be eligible for consideration.

UHN is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive recruitment process and workplace. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their requirements known.