Patient Navigator

at  First Nations Technical Services Advisory Group Inc

POSITION SUMMARY:

The AIVCC seeks a Patient Navigator (Registered Social Worker) for compassionate support of Indigenous patients across Alberta. As a member of our team, you will work alongside healthcare providers, traditional healers, families, and other stakeholders to ensure a culturally safe patient care experience.
We need a skilled communicator who can help patients navigate complex healthcare and social systems while identifying their personal, spiritual, and medical needs and acting as an advocate for their health. The successful candidate will have strong collaboration skills and be comfortable working with AIVCC physicians, psychologists, and staff, as well as external agencies. The successful candidate will also need to build relationships with Elders and Knowledge Keepers throughout Alberta to integrate cultural healing practices into care plans.
Our ideal candidate is a Registered Social Worker with extensive knowledge of Indigenous communities, customs, and traditions, as well as experience or knowledge of the healthcare system and community-based resources within Alberta. Your commitment to learning and understanding the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action (2015) is essential, as is your commitment to uphold the shared responsibility of creating lasting and meaningful reconciliation in Canada.
As AIVCC represents a unique model of care, the successful applicant will be responsive to emerging needs of patients and communities with respect to services provided.
The ability to work remotely is a requirement of the position. Funding for this position has been provided through a unique partnership between federal and provincial sources, and the initial contract is being offered through March 31, 2024, with the expectation of renewal. This is a full-time (35 hours per week) position, offering a competitive salary.

QUALIFICATIONS:

TSAG is committed to respecting diversity within our workforce; preference will be given to individuals with Indigenous ancestry (First Nations, Inuit, Métis).

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience working with Indigenous (First Nations, Metis, and Inuit) communities and organizations.
• Degree or diploma in Social Work or a related discipline and at least 2 years’ experience working with Indigenous peoples in an advocacy role.
• Registration with the Alberta College of Social Workers preferred.
• Extensive knowledge of Indigenous peoples’ demographics, languages, cultures, customs, and traditions.
• Experience or knowledge of the health care system and community-based resources within Alberta.
• Awareness of and commitment to learning and understanding the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action (2015), and commitment to upholding the shared responsibility of creating lasting and meaningful reconciliation in Canada as per TRC (2015).
• Fluency or knowledge of an Indigenous language spoken in Alberta is an asset.
• An understanding of rural and remote communities and their inherent challenges and barriers.
• Understanding and ability to practice with Nation-based, community-driven philosophy.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team.

• Provide consultative and navigational services to the AIVCC’s patients by supporting cultural interpretation and/or health literacy translation services and by supporting culturally competent and safe practice (e.g., access, system barriers, and navigation challenges).
• Supports patients in communications with physicians, psychologists, and other frontline care staff.
• Support access and coordination of health and social services for patients throughout Alberta.
• As required, coordinates client referrals to and from the AIVCC, Indigenous communities, Indigenous organizations, and other health and social programs and services.
• Provide support and act as a resource, as required, for healthcare providers and other staff members, regarding the provision of culturally safe care.
• Coordinates client/family spiritual care requests by establishing relationships with, and referring patients to, Elders and Knowledge Keepers throughout the province.
• Assess and document systemic barriers and challenges identified, and work with multi-disciplinary team members to address these where possible.
• Collaborates with clinic manager, MOAs, psychologists, primary care physicians and psychiatrist regarding patient care.
• Advocate for patients on an individual and systems level, where appropriate.
• Ensures client/family/community confidentiality and privacy in accordance with professional regulatory guidelines and following standards of practice and legal requirements
• Attend quarterly staff meetings via Zoom
• Perform other related duties, as assigned