Indigenous Community Support Worker

COVID 19 On-Campus Requirements

Prior to May 1 2022 the University required all students faculty staff and visitors (including contractors) to declare their COVID-19 vaccination status and provide proof that they were fully vaccinated or had an approved accommodation to engage in in-person University activities. These requirements were suspended effective May 1 2022 but the University may reinstate them at any point.

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Job Summary

The Department of Family Medicine - Queens Family Health Team (QFHT) is a multidisciplinary team of health professionals who provide primary health care services to the Kingston community who train future primary health care professionals and who conduct research in issues of primary health care delivery. The Queens Family Health Team is comprised of a number of medical practices and provides a diverse client-centered work environment for all employees.

The Indigenous Community Support Worker holds the responsibility of seeing each client as a whole person recognizing their identity lived experiences and broader context that shapes their wellbeing. The Indigenous Community Support Worker will develop reciprocal relationships with patients which are grounded in trust respect and genuine connection. The Indigenous Community Support Worker maintains professionalism while practicing deep listening creating space for the patients story without interruption or judgement.
The Indigenous Community Support Worker will provide one-to-one navigation (in person phone virtual) to coordinate appointments referrals and access to service including cultural and spiritual care. The Indigenous Community Support Worker empowers each person to make informed decisions about their health care journey and the services they wish to use. The Indigenous Community Support Worker will build relationships with Indigenous and non-Indigenous community and healthcare partners.

This project is supported by the Department of Family Medicines commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action that addresses systemic inequities in healthcare.

The Indigenous Community Support Worker is a motivated and compassionate person with a strong interest in supporting Indigenous health within an interdisciplinary primary health care team environment. You draw on both previous work experiences and/or professional knowledge and lived experience to support wellness healing and efficient care coordination. You bring a positive relational and solution-focused approach to helping others navigate complex primary care health systems.

Job Description

Note:This position is subject to Queens Universitys Hiring of Indigenous Specific Positions Policy. Preference will be given to qualified Indigenous applicants (First Nations Métis Inuit). Candidates are invited to self-identify in their application.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Work to improve healthcare access and experiences among Indigenous patients and their families/care partners by providing navigation support and advocacy throughout the continuum of primary care at Queens Family Health Team.
Support patients by preparing patients to advocate for themselves in these settings and supporting patients at clinic visits (attending with patient if requested).
Enhance communication between patients/families/care partners and staff/physicians/interdisciplinary team members to ensure understanding respect and support while accessing primary care (including coordination of interpretation with indigenous language speakers as needed).
Work with patients by providing support in assessing their individual needs and patient identified goals to assist them in creating a care plan liaising with the primary care team as needed to support patient-identified goals that respect Indigenous practices and patient preferences.
Collaborating with clinical teams community partners and Indigenous organizations (warm hand off) and advocating on behalf of patients by translating patient goals to physicians/other medical professionals as required.
Assisting in identifying and accessing internal/external resources (i.e. Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) regional provincial and federal programs).

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Preference will be given to those of Indigenous ancestry with demonstrated Indigenous community involvement.
A diploma or degree in Health Social Services or Indigenous Community Development is considered an asset.
Minimum 2-3 years of experience working in healthcare social services or community health supporting Indigenous patients with demonstrated experience in health or social service navigation is required. Peer support experiences accepted and recognized as relevant experience.
Demonstrated training and/or experience in delivering culturally safe trauma-informed and patient-centered care with the ability to meaningfully integrate Indigenous spiritual cultural and community perspectives.
Knowledge of diverse Indigenous histories cultures/traditions governance structures and community protocols and familiarity with local Indigenous community including strengths and challenges.
Understanding of medical terminology would be considered an asset.
Satisfactory Criminal Records Check and Vulnerable Sector Screening required.

SPECIAL SKILLS:
Promotes diversity and inclusion within the workplace.
Knowledge of case management/system navigation models and principles.
Ability to build strong trust-based collaborative relationships with Indigenous communities (First Nation Inuit Métis and urban Indigenous communities) healthcare partners and local community support partners (both Indigenous and non-Indigenous).
Program coordination reporting and data tracking including adherence to privacy and confidentiality procedures Ownership Control Access and Possession (OCAP) principles and use of health information systems.
Ability to communicate effectively both written and verbally.
Good knowledge of MS Office Suites (Outlook Word Excel PowerPoint) as well as ability to use office equipment efficiently (telephone scanner photocopier fax).
Demonstrate willingness to participate in community consultation Indigenous cultural safety training teachings and ceremonies as it relates to the delivery of care for patients.
Effective time management prioritization and organizational skills with the ability to work independently and co-operatively in a busy multidisciplinary environment.
Ability to accurately complete required documentation (including relevant patient information in the patients electronic medical records) reports and forms.
Follow Standard Operating Procedures to ensure that patients who self-identify as Indigenous are offered Indigenous Navigator services and that all referrals are responded to in a timely manner. Report on patient volumes and services provided as required by the program.
Understanding how intergenerational trauma systemic racism and discrimination as well as day to day challenges may be in a persons bundle such as transportation issues food insecurity or caring for a sick family member.
Ability to work respectfully with confidential information; maintain professional boundaries; demonstrate awareness of harm reduction principles; and support and comply with provincial and federal privacy regulations.
Demonstrated commitment to continuous learning and quality improvement.

DECISION MAKING:
Determine and prioritize program and service needs for Indigenous patients at QFHT including identifying opportunities to develop community initiatives that leverage strengths and address gaps.
Provide informed recommendations to improve Indigenous patient experiences through collaborative inclusive approaches that advance culturally safer care.
Assess the need for and advise on the establishment of formal patient or service agreements with local Indigenous communities and organizations.
Make decisions when assisting with recommendations for the allocation and operationalization of approved budgets for programs and community development initiatives in partnership with community stakeholders.
Resolve patient-related issues by evaluating situations exercising sound judgment and recommending appropriate timely solutions using strong interpersonal communication and conflict-resolution skills.

Employment Equity and Accessibility Statement

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Queens is strongly committed to employment equity diversity and inclusion in the workplace and encourages applications from Black racialized persons Indigenous people women persons with disabilities and 2SLGBTQI accordance with Canadian Immigration requirements priority will be given to those who are legally eligible to work in Canada.

The University provides support in its recruitment processes to all applicants who require accommodation due to a protected ground under the Ontario Human Rights Code including those with disabilities. Candidates requiring accommodation during the recruitment process are asked to contact Human Resources at .