Registered Social Worker - Urban Indigenous Community Health Pathfinder - #25-081

Métis Nation British Columbia; Courtenay; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health services organization seeks an Urban Indigenous Community Health Pathfinder to provide comprehensive support for Indigenous clients in the Comox Valley. The role includes assessments, care planning, and health system navigation, employing culturally relevant approaches to enhance community well-being.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in social work or community-based roles.
• Knowledge of cultural diversity and Indigenous perspectives.
• Current registration as a Registered Social Worker (RSW).

Responsibilities

• Provides social work services to Urban Indigenous clients.
• Facilitates healthcare navigation and community advocacy.
• Develops culturally appropriate care plans.

Skills

Case management

Clinical support

Counselling

Advocacy

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Social Work

Job description

Ministry/Department: Health and Wellness

Competition#: 25-081

Compensation: $80,000 - $100,000

Classification: Professional/Expert 4

Location: Courteney, BC

Hours Per Week: 37.5

Date Posted: June 9, 2025

Closing Date: June 23, 2025

About the Opportunity

The Urban Indigenous Community Health Pathfinder (Health Pathfinder) works independently as a member of the Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) Health and Wellness Ministry team to provide assessment, care planning, intervention, consultation and referral for services for Urban Indigenous clients and their caregivers/families within the Comox Valley area.

The Urban Indigenous population is comprised of First Nation, Métis and Inuit people living in small, medium and large communities, including rural, isolated and remote communities, which are: off-reserve; outside of their home community, community of origin or settlement.

The Health Pathfinder acts as a clinical resource in the area of social work, education and counselling for the Urban Indigenous Community (Community) members living with chronic diseases and/or experiencing difficulty with social determinants of health in the community, and provides advanced clinical skills and techniques.

Working collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team, the Health Pathfinder provides direct psychosocial care, counselling and group work, system navigation and advocacy, education and linkage to relevant specialized complex care or community resources while facilitating client self-management. The Health Pathfinder is responsible for providing and developing social work services to maintain or improve the health and social well-being and functioning of Urban Indigenous clients, caregivers/families and the Community.

This position works closely with providers, Primary Care Network (PCN) staff, and partners. It is integrated within the local Métis Chartered Community office and serves all members of the Urban Indigenous Community. Services support the individual health and wellness goals of Urban Indigenous Community members including traditional health and wellness.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Provides social work services in the Urban Indigenous Community through:

Community Advocacy & Healthcare Navigation

• Participates in care planning development and case management ensuring clients receive appropriate referrals and support based on their needs.

• Supports clients in navigating health systems and refers and provides expert advice and recommendations to agencies and community health services.

• Attends medical appointments with clients when required to help interpret medical information and navigate care pathways.

• Promotes and facilitates effective communication between health care teams and the client, caregivers/families.

• Advocates for equitable access to health services for Urban Indigenous clients.

• Develops, implements and evaluates the social determinants of health needs for the Urban Indigenous Community and promotes traditional Indigenous health and wellness practices within health care services.

• Acts as a cultural liaison between Urban Indigenous clients and health care providers to ensure culturally appropriate health care.

• Conducts community-based visits as required.

Direct Client Support & Wellness Programs

• Develops support components to care plans that maximize the client's inclusion, collaboration and communication with clients/caregivers/families, community agencies, and other sources of client support.

• Promotes and facilitates client independence and fosters proactive client care

• Connects clients to mental health, addiction, housing, or income support.

• Conducts assessments and develops care plans rooted in Indigenous wellness practices.

• Reviews client records to monitor and evaluate care/treatment outcomes

• Delivers therapeutic clinical counselling services as appropriate utilizing a variety of treatment modalities.

• Develops care plans grounded in Indigenous cultural identity and traditional healing.

Collaboration & Partnership Building

• Works closely with a multidisciplinary team: MNBC Health and Wellness, Primary Care Network team, providers, and other applicable community/health programs and services teams.

• Engages with PCNs, Indigenous organizations, and social services.

• Provides input into culturally safe program design and implementation.

• Contributes feedback to MNBC leadership to inform community health strategies.

Record Keeping & Reporting

• Documents all client encounters and interactions in the Electronic Medical Records (EMR) client record and communicates that information to the multidisciplinary team as required.

• Utilizes computerized systems to maintain client records, including obtaining and entering client demographics, histories and charts as required, in accordance with policies, procedures and professional practice standards.

• Gathers data, completes reports, monitors clinical indicators and satisfaction surveys, provides feedback and follow up on risk factors and makes recommendations for improvements.

• Monitors outcomes and provides feedback to program leaders.

Community Engagement & Education

• Participates in Métis cultural events, learning activities, meetings and gatherings as appropriate.

• Provides cultural safety education to healthcare professionals.

• Promotes awareness of systemic racism, intergenerational trauma, and traditional wellness practices.

• Maintains professional currency and skills by participating in relevant educational activities and reviewing literature to provide best practice evidence and research-based care.

Other Duties

• Performs other duties supporting MNBC health priorities.

• Participates in committees and project teams as required.

• Undertakes related duties as assigned, consistent with the job grade of the position.

• Other duties may be assigned as needed to ensure the efficient operation of MNBC.

• Regular/ occasional attendance at meetings/ events that may require work and travel outside of normal business hours.

Direct Reports

• None

QUALIFICATIONS

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from an accredited post-secondary institution.

• Minimum 5 years of progressive work experience in social work, healthcare, or community-based roles.

• Minimum 2 years of additional specialized training in Indigenous health, trauma-informed care, or related fields is an asset.

• Current full registration with the British Columbia College of Social Workers as a Registered Social Worker (RSW) in good standing.

• Knowledge of and respect for the range of cultural diversity and perspectives among Indigenous Peoples and the local Urban Indigenous population.

• Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a Class 5 driver’s licence may be required.

• The position may require the completion of a Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Check.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience working with Indigenous Peoples, organizations or programs, including interacting and building relationships with Indigenous communities

• Specialized training in trauma-informed care or related

• Diversity and Inclusion training

• Indigenous awareness training.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and use a cooperative, proactive and facilitative approach to client care.

• Demonstrated ability to complete initial and ongoing assessments and utilize appropriate social work interventions.

• Demonstrated case management, clinical support and consultation skills.

• Demonstrated counselling skills and knowledge of treatment modalities.

• Knowledge of facilitation, mediation, and conflict resolution skills and techniques.

• Knowledge of best practice and current research evidence to support professional practice decisions and actions.

• Demonstrated ability to determine and deal with changing and emerging situations with clients in a flexible and adaptable manner.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with Urban Indigenous clients and their caregivers/families as well as health care staff and members of the multidisciplinary team using verbal, written and computer communication.

• Demonstrated ability to facilitate and build effective relationships with providers and partners that foster a team approach to client care.

• Possess knowledge of primary health care principles and community development concepts.

• Demonstrated analytical thinking and applies the problem-solving process demonstrating critical thinking and decision-making skills.

• Ability to act as a clinical resource and educator and teach and coach both one-on-one and in groups.

• Ability to advocate, translate and liaise to ensure clients and caregivers/families concerns and ideas are heard by the multidisciplinary team.

• Ability to organize and prioritize workload, set priorities and manage time and resources effectively.

• Demonstrated computer skills including the use of Windows based programs, e-mail and word processing.

• Demonstrated skills in data analysis and reporting tools.

• Knowledge of and respect for the range of cultural diversity and perspectives among Indigenous Peoples and the local Urban Indigenous population.

• Basic knowledge of the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Action Plan, Jordan’s Principle, and other related reports on Indigenous Peoples.

• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.