Indigenous Cultural Support Worker

Vancouver Coastal Health • Vancouver, BC

48d • CA$28 - CA$30

About The Position

Come work as an Indigenous Cultural Support Worker with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) at the ABI Transitional Housing team! Apply now to join the team!
Within the context of a client centered care model and in accordance with established vision and values of the organization, the Indigenous Cultural Support Worker works as a member of an interdisciplinary team to provide a variety of day-to-day cultural, emotional and social supports to Indigenous clients experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity. Walks alongside clients in their self-identified and self-determination goals of culture, connection/reconnection and community integration; while advocating for access, rights and Cultural safety as needed. Reports back to interdisciplinary team on clients’ goals, barriers, and lived experience. Applies Indigenous traditions to establish working relationships with various agencies. Screens clients for eligibility for services and links clients to appropriate internal and external resources. Works as part of a care team to co-facilitate healing circles, cultural activities and public education. Collaborate with Indigenous Elders, traditional teachers, and/or Knowledge Keepers to develop relationships based on mutual respect. Performs word processing duties, assists with research and other special projects, maintains and compiles statistics, participates in committees, task groups, and/or corporate initiatives. Engages in and assists the inter-disciplinary team with on-going planning, development, evaluation and quality improvement activities.

Requirements

• Completion of a certificate in a Community Social Service or related program and two years of recent, related experience working with Indigenous individuals with complex health and/or psychosocial problems or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• First Nations, Inuit, Metis ancestry is regarded as directly relevant to the skills and knowledge for excellence in the position.
• Pursuant to Section 41 of the British Columbia Human Rights Code, preference will be given to candidates who identify as Indigenous including First Nations, Metis or Inuit.
• Valid BC Driver’s License as travel within the health authority is required.
• Demonstrated Health Care experience; including experience working with Indigenous patients; experience working with Indigenous populations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of local First Nations community and other Indigenous serving organizations, including an understanding of wellness and history, cultural knowledge, understanding of intergenerational trauma.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and recognize power inequities within the healthcare system associated with colonization and the impact on healthcare to Indigenous people and communities.
• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide culturally safe care, has knowledge of cultural humility and anti-racism practices, has completed Indigenous Cultural Safety training.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Trauma and violence Informed Practice.
• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to apply a Harm Reduction approach to care.
• Ability to establish and maintain rapport with a diverse range of community members, volunteers, and with health, social and legal service providers for the designated client population/community.
• Ability to communicate effectively and respectfully both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to organize, prioritize and respond to competing responsibilities.
• Ability to recognize changes in client/community members and adjust approaches appropriately.
• Knowledge of traditional healing practices.
• Ability to problem solve and take initiative.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Skilled in conflict resolution, facilitation, and advocacy.
• Ability to compose business correspondence.
• Ability to do basic mathematical calculations.
• Ability to operate related equipment including applicable software applications.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the job.

Responsibilities

• Provide a variety of day-to-day cultural, emotional and social supports to Indigenous clients experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.
• Walks alongside clients in their self-identified and self-determination goals of culture, connection/reconnection and community integration; while advocating for access, rights and Cultural safety as needed.
• Reports back to interdisciplinary team on clients’ goals, barriers, and lived experience.
• Applies Indigenous traditions to establish working relationships with various agencies.
• Screens clients for eligibility for services and links clients to appropriate internal and external resources.
• Works as part of a care team to co-facilitate healing circles, cultural activities and public education.
• Collaborate with Indigenous Elders, traditional teachers, and/or Knowledge Keepers to develop relationships based on mutual respect.
• Performs word processing duties, assists with research and other special projects, maintains and compiles statistics, participates in committees, task groups, and/or corporate initiatives.
• Engages in and assists the inter-disciplinary team with on-going planning, development, evaluation and quality improvement activities.

Benefits

• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees