Temporary Indigenous Cultural Advisor

at  PHSA

QUALIFICATIONS

A level of education, training, and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in a related health discipline, health or social sciences, or a patient care/clinical related discipline, plus, five (5) years recent related experience in consulting, facilitating, coaching, mentoring, presenting, conflict management, and provision of Indigenous cultural safety and humility curriculum development and training.

SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

• Background in Decolonizing systems, anti-racism pedagogy, Critical Race theory, and/or transformational learning frameworks are an asset.
• Ability to travel. Valid B.C. Driver’s License is required. [Applicable only to PHSA Corporate Indigenous Health Program]
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience working with Indigenous (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) communities and organizations.
• Extensive knowledge of Indigenous peoples’ demographics, languages, cultures, customs and traditions.
• Experience or knowledge of the healthcare system and community-based resources within the region.
• Demonstrated knowledge, understanding and application of cultural safety and competency within healthcare.
• Demonstrated understanding of Canadian colonization, Indigenous specific racism and its impact on the current health and wellness of Indigenous peoples.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team.
• Ability to use sound professional judgment, empathy, compassion and integrity.
• Ability to prioritize workload, keep accurate records and write reports as necessary.
• Ability to adapt as the Indigenous care program evolves.
• Ability to work independently and utilize strong time management skills to meet deadlines and accomplish objectives.
• Lived experience with Indigenous populations is an asset.

WHAT WE DO

BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) provides provincial emergency medical care and patient transfer services, as a part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA). BCEHS brings compassionate, equitable, and professional emergency care, interfacility transfers, and community health-care services to people in communities across British Columbia.
BCEHS is committed to employment equity, encouraging all qualified individuals to apply. We recognize that our ability to provide the best care for our diverse patient populations relies on a rich diversity of skills, knowledge, background and experience, and value a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment.
Reconciliation is an ongoing process and a shared responsibility for all of us. The BC Governments’ unanimous passage of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act was a significant step forward in this journey—one that all health authorities are expected to support as we work in cooperation with Indigenous Peoples to establish a clear and sustainable path to lasting reconciliation. True reconciliation will take time and ongoing commitment to work with Indigenous Peoples as they move toward self-determination. Guiding these efforts Crown agencies must remain focused on creating opportunities that implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Mandate.

ROLE SUMMARY

In accordance with the Mission, Vision, Values and strategic direction of PHSA, safety, including both patient and employee safety, is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA. As such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.
The Indigenous Cultural Advisor (ICA) supports integration with existing navigational and advocacy support currently provided by community and regional health authority partners and supports Indigenous communities and organizations to improve access to appropriate care. The ICA acts as a resource for both Indigenous clients and healthcare providers to ensure the provision of care is culturally safe and client-centered and supports the improvement and performance of healthcare services through the promotion of cultural safety and cultural humility training and education for staff and employees of PHSA. The ICA facilitates relationship building between Indigenous communities, PHSA programs and services and community sites/clinics within the region. The ICA provides support and advocacy for clients by facilitating and coordinating access to healthcare services, addressing cultural/spiritual needs, and networking with Indigenous and non-Indigenous health system and community partners.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Collaborates with the leadership team on special projects to develop and facilitate BCEHS programs related to organizational culture and team effectiveness, change management and leadership development.
• Develops and partners with leaders and staff on change management and process improvement, such that best practice change management is universally utilized across BCEHS and engages stakeholders from initiation to implementation of the change.
• Provides and facilitates education opportunities for all staff about the unique experiences and priorities of Indigenous patients/families and the requirement of enhancing cultural safety and humility, supported by trauma-informed practices.
• Advocates for Indigenous specific support and provides client support services within the Emergency Health Services care system by initiating and maintaining working relationships with Indigenous clients to assess their needs and ability to access and receive culturally safe care. Supports clients, as requested, to understand, access, and navigate healthcare services.
• Provides support and acts as a resource, as required, for healthcare providers and other staff members, by bringing an Indigenous-specific, culturally safe, decolonizing, and promote change management of Indigenous and non-Indigenous patient/client care.
• Supports frontline staff (paramedics and dispatchers) in accessing or coordinating Indigenous specific services within the designated region. As required, coordinates client referrals to and from interagency, Indigenous communities, Indigenous organizations, and other healthcare programs and improve access to PHSA services.
• Maintains and updates appropriate documentation and records related to the needs of Indigenous patients in the healthcare system. Develops and maintains a regional inventory of care related programs and services for clients.
• Supports the development of regional strategies to improve care for Indigenous patients by engaging Indigenous communities, organizations and other health system partners within the region, and work in partnership with organizations including, but not limited to, Métis Nation of BC, BC Association of Aboriginal Centres, and the First Nation Health Authority as appropriate.
• Reviews current learning courses and identifies gaps where Indigenous cultural safety and anti-Indigenous racism exist; provides constructive feedback to revise current education/training materials and develops new processes to deliver the educational and training materials.
• Reviews complaints from Patient Care Quality Office involving Indigenous persons are filed. Assists in providing education, and consultation when verbal and written responses are required stemming from the investigation.
• Advocates for Indigenous specific support and provides client support services within the Emergency Health Services care system by initiating and maintaining working relationships with Indigenous clients to assess their needs and ability to access and receive culturally safe care. Supports clients, as requested, to understand, access, and navigate healthcare services.
• Liaises and supports management in all aspects by initiating, attending, and supporting introductions with the Nations and BCEHS.
• Participates in committees, events and working groups to advocate for Indigenous specific hiring and supports.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Travel will be required approximately 50% of the time.