Indigenous Patient Navigator

KEY FUNCTION:
Provide support and advocacy to Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis - FNIM) patients admitted to HSN and their families to facilitate and coordinate access to culturally safe care and plan for transitions at discharge. Assist patients and families in navigating access to translation, traditional holistic practices, non-insured benefits and transportation to improve their care experience at HSN and health outcomes.

REPORTING:
Under the general direction of the Clinical Manager, Northern Outreach Team.

DUTIES:
1. Receive referrals from those inpatients who self-identify as Indigenous and from inpatient units that seek support.
2. Work directly with patients to identify needs for support while in hospital and in preparation for discharge.
3. Work collaboratively with HSN’s health care providers to facilitate access to community-based traditional care services and resources for Indigenous patients and their families.
4. Promote culturally safe care, raise the capacity of the HSN team regarding cultural safety, and protect patient privacy.
5. Provide psychosocial support to Indigenous patients and their families by incorporating culturally safe services, connecting patients to their families and communities, using technology as required.
6. Promote the use of the Medicine Lodge for patients and families who wish to and are able to gather for traditional ceremonies.
7. Promote traditional cultural practices in health and healing by facilitating access to cultural, spiritual, and linguistic resources.
8. Foster strong relationships with Indigenous-led organizations and Health Directors of First Nation communities to support effective care transitions at discharge.
9. Navigate non-insured health benefit programs (NIHB) for Indigenous patients and problem-solve with the interdisciplinary team, other Indigenous organizations and the patient to coordinate access to needed supports.
10. Maintain a regional inventory of Indigenous related programs and services for patients and families.
11. Assist in the development and distribution of culturally sensitive patient education materials.
12. Engage, involve and work collaboratively with patient navigators from other Indigenous organizations to provide coordinated care and support.
13. Work collaboratively with the North East Cancer Centre Indigenous Cancer Care team (navigator, regional leads, and regional liaison) to facilitate access to care throughout the hospital system.
14. Maintain client documentation in accordance with professional college guidelines and the policies of HSN.
15. Complete daily and monthly statistical workload measurement requirements.
16. Promote quality patient care and satisfaction on an ongoing basis and work with HSN’s program leaders and the Patient Relations department to formulate solutions for improvement.
17. Determine and align improvement projects with HSN’s Strategic Plan; monitor and adjust to achieve goal outcomes.
18. Participate in education and training specific to current, relevant federal and provincial health and safety legislation, standards and guidelines.
19. Educate and promote health, safety and wellness in the work place.
20. Represent HSN’s Indigenous Health Program on various committees and in meetings as required.
21. Perform other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION AND TRAINING:
1. Minimum of a diploma in Health Sciences, Social Sciences, or in a related field, from an accredited college.
2. Current Certificate of Registration with a regulatory college of the applicable professional discipline.
3. Ministry of Labour “Worker Health and Safety Awareness in 4 Steps” training certificate is required.

EXPERIENCE:
1. Minimum of three (3) years’ experience working within an Indigenous health care or social services environment.
2. Experience working with Indigenous people’s language, culture, customs, and traditional health is required.
3. Experience working with all age groups.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:
1. Demonstrated skills in the area of assessment and therapeutic intervention with individuals, groups, and families.
2. Demonstrated knowledge of health equity gaps and issues related to the Indigenous population, and the impact of colonization on health outcomes.
3. Demonstrated training, experience or utilization of quality improvement methodology for process improvement.
4. Demonstrated ability to independently identify issues, plan improvements, work within a team, measure success and continue improvement.
5. Demonstrated excellent computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office software (e.g. Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook) and patient information systems.
6. Demonstrated superior interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
7. Demonstrated effective time management and organizational skills with the ability to organize and prioritize as required.
8. Demonstrated ability to manage routine correspondence and documentation, multiple tasks/projects, diversified workload.
9. Ability to respond to rapidly changing priorities and challenging deadlines.
Demonstrated discretion and maturity when handling confidential information.
10. Demonstrated commitment to the safety of co-workers and patients.

PERSONAL SUITABILITY:
1. Successful Vulnerable Sector Check is required.
2. Ability to use tact and discretion in dealing with health care providers and patients.
3. Demonstrated ability to work effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
4. Demonstrated ability to work on clinical inpatient units with minimal supervision.
5. Ability to prioritize duties and daily workload.
6. Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development.
7. Demonstrated professionalism in dealing with confidential and sensitive issues.
8. Demonstrated positive work record and good attendance record.
9. Ability to meet the physical and sensory demands of the job.
10. Ability to travel between local sites of HSN.
11. Valid driver’s licence and willingness to travel occasionally within North Eastern Ontario.

Selection Process:  Candidates will be selected for this position on the basis of their skill, ability, experience and qualifications as identified in the resume and completed Application Form submitted. The Hospital reserves the right to conduct a formal interview where required.
 

Health Sciences North is committed to providing accommodations to applicants with disabilities to enable their participation in the recruitment, assessment, selection and hiring stages of employment.

HSN THANKS ALL APPLICANTS.
ONLY THOSE SELECTED FOR INTERVIEWS WILL BE CONTACTED.
WE WILL NOT ACCEPT APPLICATIONS AFTER THE CLOSING DATE AND TIME.