Indigenous Health Wellness Nurse, Indigenous Health Program - BC Children's and Women's Hospital & Health Centre

Indigenous Health Wellness Nurse,Indigenous Health Program

BC Children’s and Women’s Hospital & Health Centre

Vancouver, BC

Pursuant to Section 42 of the British Columbia Human Rights Code, preference will be given to applicants of Indigenous Ancestry.

The Indigenous Health Wellness Nurse 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 health care services through the promotion of cultural safety and cultural humility training and education for staff and employees of PHSA. The Indigenous Health Wellness Nurse facilitates relationship building between Indigenous communities, PHSA programs and services and community sites/clinics within the region. The Indigenous Health Wellness Nurse provides support and advocacy for clients by facilitating and coordinating access to health care services, addressing cultural/spiritual needs, and networking with Indigenous and non-Indigenous health system and community partners.

What you’ll do

• Visit Indigenous patients in BC Women’s and BC Children’s to validate demographic data, health and/or birth information and the need for complex care coordination and community services.
• Provide complex care coordination for patients, ensuring the care plan with all necessary information is forwarded to appropriate community health center/services/agencies, clarify family expectations, and act as a patient advocate; participate in multidisciplinary team meetings regarding Indigenous Health, communicate with and obtains assistance from appropriate community agencies to ensure the best possible care for patients and families after discharge from hospital.
• Communicate, when required with other health care professionals within the hospital setting, and in the patient’s community, e.g., physicians, nurses, lactation consultants, physiotherapist, FNHA Health Benefits administrator, community health nurse, family physician, etc., where needed mentoring through the phone via distance coordination the complex medical needs of the patients.
• Act in public relations and advocacy capacity to represent Indigenous Health to medical staff and other service providers, and to community agencies and their staff by maintaining up to date knowledge of Indigenous Health; provide consultation to staff for the purpose of enhancing knowledge of Indigenous cultures, contemporary social issues and health beliefs; provide information on social and health services available in the communities for Indigenous peoples; participate in committees that integrate Indigenous Health with hospital and community programs by providing input and addressing Indigenous Health.
• Follow linkages to a variety of community programs, e.g., Community Health department (Infant, Child, and Youth (ICY), Home Care, on and off reserve health providers, and other support services in order to facilitate plan of care for patient.
• Understand and communicate to Indigenous families on how to contact the community health nurse, community breastfeeding clinics, the newborn hotline and parent/infant drop - in centers.
• Communicate as required with hospital social work as well as Ministry of Child and Family Development (MCFD) to facilitate follow up care for complex patients.
• Engage in on-going team planning, development, evaluation, and quality improvement activities that facilitate team goal setting, problem solving and conflict resolution.
• Participate in education, research, and special projects by collecting documented patient information.
• Work in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, attends meetings and in-services, reviews team policies and procedures, and provide input/recommendations to manager and/or other team members regarding efficiencies of processes/procedures in relation to work duties with a view to ensuring streamlined, effective woman and child centered practices for the Indigenous Complex Care Coordination team.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

What you bring

Qualifications

Pursuant to Section 42 of the British Columbia Human Rights Code, preference will be given to applicants of Indigenous Ancestry.

• Current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse with the British Columbia College of Nurses & Midwives (BCCNM).
• Graduate of an approved School of Nursing plus two years recent, related experience in women and/or child centered practice or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Current CPR and NRP certification.
• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism and systemic racism on Indigenous Peoples within social and health contexts. This includes understanding how these factors contribute to current health disparities and barriers to care. Show a clear commitment to identifying, challenging, and eradicating Indigenous-specific racism and all forms of discrimination impacting equity-deserving groups within healthcare settings. This involves recognizing personal biases, institutional barriers, engaging in anti-racism education and training and advocating for systemic change.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments within CW contexts found in the foundational documents including Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, BC Human Rights Code, Anti-racism Data Act and how they intersect across the health care system.

Core Competencies

• Brings an understanding of the Indigenous specific racism and the broader systemic racism that exists in the colonial health care structure, and has demonstrated leadership in breaking down barriers and ensuring an environment of belonging. Embed Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility into all aspects of work. This means creating an environment where Indigenous patients feel respected, valued, and understood. Foster trust through respectful communication, active listening, and honoring equity-deserving people's perspectives on health and wellness. Commit to ongoing education and training on Indigenous health issues, cultural safety, and DEI principles. Participate in workshops, cultural immersion experiences, and continuous professional development to stay informed and responsive to equity-deserving groups. Provide patient-centred care that respects Indigenous ways of knowing and healing, respects BIPOC experiences and world views ensuring that care plans are culturally relevant and holistic.
• Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (The Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.).

Skills & Knowledge

• Comprehensive knowledge of Indigenous history, cultures, communities, cultural interference, social determinants of health, and Indigenous health policy and direction.
• Knowledge and understanding of services and philosophy of public health nursing.
• Ability to know and assess the need for and initiate the use of community services.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to council the complex families.
• Demonstrated ability to provide culturally sensitive nursing services to Indigenous populations.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Ability to prioritize and organize work.
• Ability to operate related equipment.
• Demonstrated computer skills.
• Ability to promote and facilitate change, in alignment with Paige’s Story (2015) and the Truth and Reconciliation Call to Action report (2015).
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.

• Demonstrates a commitment to beginning and continuing their personal learning journey related to Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, as well as addressing racism more broadly. Shows willingness to articulate and share their learning experiences to contribute to a culture of motivation and inspiration among peers.
• Demonstrates foundational knowledge of the social, economic, and political realities of settler-colonialism and its impacts on Indigenous peoples and equity-deserving groups within social and health contexts. Understands the impact of social determinants of health-on-health outcomes. Shows a commitment to learning about and upholding legislative obligations and provincial commitments outlined in foundational documents such as the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan, Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, the BC Human Rights Code, Anti-Racism Data Act, and the Distinctions Based Approach.

What we bring

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.

• Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
• Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs, including +2,000 courses, such as our San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles.
• Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
• Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
• PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
• Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.

Job Type: Regular, Full-Time
Wage: $41.42 - $55.91/hour
Location: 4500 Oak Street, Vancouver BC, V6H 2N9
Hours of Work: Monday – Friday, 0830 - 1630
Requisition # 181703E

What we do

BC Children’s Hospital (BCCH) provides care for the most seriously ill or injured children and youth from across British Columbia.

BC Women's Hospital & Health Centre (BCW) is dedicated to improving the health of women, newborns and families through a comprehensive range of services, research and education.

BCCH and BCW is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).

The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Cultivate partnerships – Serve with purpose.

Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services

PHSA, BCCH and BCW is committed to equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently marginalized groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.

One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya'kula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at indigenous.employment@phsa.ca.

Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and marginalization faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and self-determination of Indigenous communities. PHSA must uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents such as including Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study.

Attention current employees of PHSA:

You must apply via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca.

The internal job posting expires on April 4, 2025 and will no longer be accessible. If the internal job posting has expired, please e-mail internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca with the six-digit job requisition number and your PHSA employee ID number to be considered as a late internal applicant. Please do not apply for the external job posting.

If you have not yet set up an internal profile, please e-mail internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca with your PHSA employee ID number to obtain your temporary password. Our business hours are Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm, excluding Statutory Holidays and a Help Desk Representative will respond to you with 1-2 business days.

If you are not a current employee of PHSA and require assistance with your application, please contact the External Careers team at careers@phsa.ca.