Mi'kmaw Indigenous Patient Navigator

Mi'kmaw Indigenous Patient Navigator - Primary Health Care
Company: Nova Scotia Health
Location: Within a Regional Health Centre in Eastern Zone
Department: Acute Care
Type of Employment: Permanent Hourly FT (100% FTE) x 1 position(s)
Status: Non-Union Position

This is a reposted position. Previous applicants are not required to re-apply and their applications will still be considered as part of the recruitment process.

Nova Scotia Health is the largest provider of health services in Nova Scotia, with some specialized services also offered to clients throughout Atlantic Canada. We’re on a mission to achieve excellence in health, healing and learning through working together, which is reflected in the hospitals, health centres and community-based programs we operate across the province. Our passionate team of professionals provides a variety of high-quality inpatient and outpatient services including academic, tertiary, and quaternary care, as well as continuing care, primary health care, public health, and mental health and addictions. Join a diverse team of innovators, collaborators and creative thinkers today.

About the Opportunity

Nova Scotia Health is currently accepting applications for an Mi'kmaw and Indigenous Patient Navigator in Eastern Zone (Cape Breton, Strait Richmond and Antigonish Areas). These exciting new positions with Nova Scotia Health are assisting in transforming healthcare delivery and patient care for Indigenous persons and communities throughout Nova Scotia. Join a team of individuals working to help patients, families and caregivers in providing the right care at the right time in the right place.

The Mi’kmaw and Indigenous Patient Navigator (MIPN) supports access and coordination of services for Mi'kmaw Indigenous patients (i.e.: discharge planning). The MIPN acts as a resource for Indigenous clients to access culturally safe and client-centered care. The MIPN facilitates relationship building between Mi'kmaw Indigenous community health programs, NSH/IWK health, provincial health system partners, and services and community sites/clinics within the zone. The Mi’kmaw and Indigenous Patient Navigator provides regular feedback and advice to senior leadership, zonal partners and indigenous consultants around improving access to appropriate care. The MIPN provides support and advocacy for Indigenous clients and their families by facilitating and coordinating access to health care services, cultural/spiritual needs, and networking with the Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw and health systems and community partners that provide services to Mi’kmaw and Indigenous people.

The MIPN will collaborate with Mi’kmaw and Indigenous clients and their families to provide guidance and advocacy as they navigate the multitude of treatments, services, and potential barriers throughout their health care journey. The MIPN provides consultative and advisory services to Indigenous patients referred to NSH/IWK programs and services by providing 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 Mi'kmaw Indigenous patients in communications with physicians, nurses, and other frontline care staff. Patient navigation is recognized as a key component of an integrated system and an effective way to improve the delivery of person-centred care and clinical efficiencies. The focus of the Mi’kmaw and Indigenous Patient Navigator is to overcome barriers to timely and culturally safe care, facilitate coordination of care, and enhance the delivery of high quality, culturally safe, trauma-informed and person-centred care.

About You

We would love to hear from you if you have the following:

• Bachelor's Degree in a health related field
• Registered or licensed with the appropriate licensing body/college
• Applicants must be from a First Nations community or background
• Experience working with Mi'kmaw/Indigenous communities, First Nation service delivery organizations and applicable government programming
• Strong understanding of the Mi’kmaw language (including spoken and written), culture, customs, and traditions
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience working with Mi'kmaw Indigenous (First Nations) communities and organizations (Atlantic Region Indigenous communities & culture)
• Experience or knowledge of the health care system and community-based resources within the zone
• Demonstrated knowledge, understanding and application of cultural safety and competency within healthcare
• Knowledge of federal/provincial health services specifically Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) administered by Indigenous Services Canada, First Nations Inuit Health Branch, and Jordan’s Principle
• Ability to use sound professional judgment, empathy, compassion, and integrity
• Must possess the ability to prioritize workload, keep accurate records and write reports, as necessary
• Experience adapting as the Indigenous care program evolves
• Ability to work independently and utilize strong time management skills to meet deadlines and accomplish objectives

Please note: This is a designated position. The successful candidate must be from a First Nations community or background in order to be considered for the position. Please ensure your resume is up to date and includes all relevant education, experience, training, and certifications.

Available Positions and Location

• Permanent, full-time position; 75 hours biweekly
• Location will be at a Regional site within the zone

Compensation and Incentives

$36.3327 - $45.4158 Hourly ($70,848 - $88,566 annually)

Successful candidates may be eligible for our benefits package which includes health, dental, travel, long-term disability, and life insurance coverage as well as a defined benefit pension plan.

Once You've Applied

Thank you for your interest in this position. Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

Preferred candidates must be able to demonstrate proof of primary series of COVID -19 vaccine at time of hire.

Nova Scotia Health is committed to being a workforce that is free of discrimination, values diversity and is representative, at all job levels, of the people we serve. We encourage all qualified applicants who self-identify as Indigenous, Black/African Nova Scotian, Persons of Colour, Foreign Nationals/Newcomers, Persons with Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ to apply and self-identify.