Indigenous Health Lead, Indigenous Mental Wellness and Substance Use

Come work as an Indigenous Health Lead , Indigenous Mental Wellness and Substance Use with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)!

Vancouver Coastal Health is committed to improving the health and access to culturally safe healthcare of the Indigenous people in our region, and we recognize that we all have a contribution to make in reconciliation and healing. VCH’s Indigenous Health team works with staff and physicians across all programs and departments to provide strategic leadership, partner collaboration and community engagement to assist VCH to become a more culturally competent and safe organization.

This role can be based out of any of the rural/remote communities within the Coastal Community of Care and will work remotely from one of those locations. Travel within the Coastal Community of Care will be required.

Vancouver Coastal Health is looking for an Indigenous Health Lead to join the Indigenous Mental Wellness and Substance Use team. Apply today to join our team!

As an Indigenous Health Lead with Vancouver Coastal Health you will:

• Report to the Manager of Rural & Remote programs with Indigenous Health.
• Oversee and lead all aspects of assigned Mental Wellness & Substance Use projects and initiatives within rural and remote communities in the Coastal Community of Care.
• Present the Indigenous Health department at Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) and will work in partnership with First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), Operations leaders within the Coastal Community of Care, Indigenous communities’ located in the Coastal Community of Care, and local community partners.
• Have strong clinical knowledge regarding Mental Health and Substance Use, particularly as it relates to Indigenous communities and rural/remote health care service delivery.
• Build and maintain relationships with local Indigenous communities, with Regional and Operational programs, with community organizations, and other government agencies to promote and ensure culturally safe Mental Health and Substance Use services for Indigenous Peoples in the Coastal Community of Care.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education & Experience

• Master’s Degree in a related discipline.
• Five (5) years’ recent, related experience in project management or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Current registration with relevant professional College/Association, if applicable.
• Excellent communication skills to function within a complex interdisciplinary environment including ability to communicate with the physician community.
• Computer literacy with word-processing, spreadsheet, presentation, project management and database applications.

Knowledge & Abilities

• Knowledge and understanding of complex organizational and system dynamics, Indigenous health issues, community health system needs and community development, socioeconomic determinants of health, participatory community based research from a traditional Aboriginal context and Aboriginal community organizations and traditional protocols, research literature and trends on Indigenous health issues.
• Utilizes a demonstrated knowledge of Indigenous health care needs, services and issues as well as knowledge of the culture, protocol, and traditions of Indigenous people to ensure respect, diplomacy and tact to honour established and new relationships as a representative of the health authority.
• Displays comprehensive knowledge of project management principles and methodologies and ability to coach team members on these skills.
• Effectively monitors budgets and executes project plans with stringent timelines.
• Utilizes initiative, vision, independent thinking and creative problem-solving abilities to implement project plans and realize project completion.
• Maintains a broad knowledge of patient care delivery systems in primary, acute and community settings.
• Maintains a thorough understanding of available resources for projects and applicable stakeholder groups, provides feedback and detailed analysis on project processes and makes recommendations as required.
• Utilizes effective facilitation, persuasion and negotiation abilities to achieve consensus, resolve conflict and achieve desired outcomes.
• Works effectively under time pressure to meet deadlines, balance work priorities and resolve problems in a timely manner.

We are striving to build a diverse team that has lived experience with Indigenous communities. Strong preference will be given to applicants who self-identify as Indigenous.

It will greatly assist us with screening if you refer in your application to your Indigenous identity. Recognizing the impacts of colonization on Indigenous people, it is your choice whether to volunteer information. We will hold your application in strictest confidence, sharing it only with the hiring panel.

As per the current Public Health Orders (Long Term Care/Seniors Assisted Living Provincial Health Officer Order and the Health Sector Order), as of October 26, 2021, all employees working for Vancouver Coastal Health must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Proof of vaccination status will be required.

WHY JOIN VANCOUVER COASTAL HEALTH?

VCH is a world class innovator in medical care, research and teaching, delivering service to more than one million BC residents. At VCH, we embrace thinking boldly, taking smart risks, and "going first" when we believe it will lead to the best possible outcomes for patients and their families. We invite you to join us in creating healthy lives in healthy communities by showcasing our passion for care, connection to the communities we serve and our culture of teamwork that makes VCH a great place to work.

• Comprehensive health benefits package, including MSP, extended health and dental and municipal pension plan
• Grow your career with employer-paid training and leadership development opportunities
• Wellness supports, including counselling, critical incident and innovative wellness services are available to employees and their immediate families
• Award-winning recognition programs to honour staff, medical staff and volunteers
• Access to exclusive discount offers and deals for VCH staff

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to our goals of creating a great place to work and delivering exceptional care. We acknowledge and accommodate unique differences and ensure special measures are in place so that all prospective and current employees are given an opportunity to succeed.

We are committed to building a representative workforce and encourage applications reflecting diversity of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization or ancestry, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

Vancouver Coastal Health is proud to be recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers in 2022.

Please note that a resume is required to apply to this posting.

Hours of Work may vary due to project requirements.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for this posting.