Policy Advisor Cultural Safety

Come work as a Policy Advisor Cultural Safety with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)!

We recognize that our places of work and Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) facilities lie on the traditional unceded homelands of the Heiltsuk KitasooXaixais Lilwat Musqueam NQuatqua Nuxalk Samahquam shshlh Skatin Squamish Tlaamin TsleilWaututh Ulkatcho Wuikinuxv and Xaxtsa Nations.

As part of VCHs deep commitment to cultural safety and humility the organization seeks to create culturally safe practices and relationships with First Nation Mtis and Inuit individuals and communities with an aim to transform care and improve patient experiences and health outcomes for Indigenous peoples in the VCH region.

Reporting to the Policy Director on the Legal Team with a matrix reporting structure to the Director of Strategic Operations Performance and Partnerships in Indigenous Health the Policy Advisor Cultural Safety (the Policy Advisor) supports the Policy Team to bring a cultural safety and Indigenousspecific antiracism (ISAR) lens to all policy development at VCH. The Policy Advisor participates in the writing and editing of policies supports the identification of policy gaps and priorities at VCH and collaborates with teams and community partners across VCH and beyond to help the Policy Team to develop excellent policies that address cultural safety and ISAR for clients patients families and VCH staff and rigorous policy processes informed by authentic engagement with Indigenous community partners and Indigenous knowledge and ways of working.

This role is extremely collaborative. The Policy Advisor works closely with all Policy Team staff Indigenous Health and other VCH teamsincluding Equity Diversity and Inclusion AntiRacism and Community Engagementto support excellence in policy and to nurture relationships that uphold the integrity and effectiveness of the Policy Team and VCH.

As a Policy Advisor Cultural Safety with Vancouver Coastal Health you will:

• Provide feedback on draft policies and collaborates with Indigenous Health to engage appropriate Indigenous Health team members and other key community partners in the review of policies.
• Identify strategies to decolonize and Indigenize VCH Policy Team processes.
• Conduct research to identify best practices in policy development.
• Draft policy language that appropriately upholds cultural safety in policies collaborating with Policy Team members.
• Support policy leads to understand the importance of including cultural safety in policy.
• Review existing policies and provide editorial and content recommendations to support alignment with VCH cultural safety and ISAR goals.
• Identify and analyze emerging health system issues data and trends such as Ministry of Health Communiqus legislation changes public policy developments and new reports and studies related to cultural safety and antiIndigenous racism in health care.
• Project manage cultural safety policy and ISAR related initiatives identified by the Policy Director.
• Provide subject matter expertise on cultural safety and ISAR in policy to committees and initiatives at VCH.
• Liaise with cultural safety and ISAR policy leads across the province to identify opportunities to enhance VCH policies.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key internal and external partners to promote and enhance services provided by the Policy Team with sensitivity to diversity and Indigenous peoples needs and experiences.
• Exercise considerable judgment tact and discretion in preparing disclosing and handling information of a confidential or sensitive nature.
• Develop educational materials to support cultural safety and ISAR in policy development.
• Carry out responsibilities in accordance with health and safety requirements. Immediately report unsafe situations by notifying the Policy Director or other appropriate personnel.
• Attend the offices of the VCH Legal Department and Indigenous Health in person regularly and on dates identified by the Policy Director or the Director of Strategic Operations Performance and Partnerships to support team collaboration. Attend meetings in person at other locations occasionally to support the work of the Policy Team.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Education & Experience

• Graduation from a recognized postsecondary Masters program focused on Indigenous studies law community development social work or other relevant area of study plus three 3 years of experience in policy development or an equivalent combination of education training and experience.
• Experience will include a minimum of two 2 years working for an Indigenous Mtis or Inuit organization or program.
• Pursuant to Section 41 of the BC Human Rights Code preference may be given to applicants who selfidentify as Aboriginal (First Nation Mtis or Inuit). All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

Knowledge & Abilities

• Exceptional communication skills including the ability to explain complex and sensitive concepts in plain language (both verbally and in writing).
• Familiarity with planning and aligning to the BC Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action and the findings of the National Inquiry into Missing and ed Indigenous Women and Girls.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with the concepts of cultural safety and ISAR.
• Demonstrated extensive knowledge of Indigenous health issues and especially the determinants of health legislation and public policy affecting Indigenous peoples.
• Knowledge and appreciation of the unique history cultures and rights of Indigenous Peoples on Turtle Island.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct rapid policy reviews and draft memos and other communication materials for senior staff.
• Familiarity with and the ability to understand complex healthcare or other related systems.
• Ability to foster and maintain positive relationships with various teams sectors and communities.
• Exemplary interpersonal communication and problemsolving skills.
• Outstanding listening collaboration and team building skills that facilitate coordination and cooperation with the demonstrated ability to lead with both courage and humility.
• Ability to be resilient flexible and creative in approaching complex problems.
• Strong ability to multitask effectively and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines.
• Models personal integrity and accountability and is a committed team player.
• Passion for equity and inclusion in healthcare.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
• Competence in relevant software such as Microsoft Office PowerPoint Excel and Teams.

As per Ministry of Health policy all health care workers working in publiclyfunded health care facilities are required to report their past receipt of certain vaccines or history of certain infections. Collecting these records will allow for offering of any missing vaccines and for appropriate actions to be taken in the event of any future exposure to a communicable disease or during outbreaks. For all new hires and appointments to Vancouver Coastal Health you will be asked to provide this information as part of the onboarding process.

Why Join Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH):

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 employerpaid training and leadership development opportunities
Wellness supports including counselling critical incident and innovative wellness services are available to employees and their immediate families
Awardwinning recognition programs to honour staff medical staff and volunteers
Access to exclusive discount offers and deals for VCH staff

At Vancouver Coastal Health our vision of healthy lives in healthy communities inspires us and our values and pillars guide us. We support equitable practices diverse teams and inclusive environments which are vital to creating welcoming spaces where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and feel supported. We encourage applications from equitydeserving communities including Indigenous Peoples and members of racialized groups people with disabilities and people of all gender identities and expressions and sexual orientation.

Vancouver Coastal Health is proud to be recognized as one of Canadas Top 100 Employers in 2024.

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for this posting.


***Employees of VCH must apply online via the Internal Career Portal on CareerHub you are currently viewing the External Career Portal. Refer to the site for instructions on how to view internal job postings and how to apply as an employee. Current VCH employees who apply to this posting using this external site will be considered as an external candidate. Seniority will not apply.***

Thank you for your interest in Vancouver Coastal Health.