Indigenous Cultural Support Worker

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.

Education & Experience

• 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.
• For this position we also want to highlight that 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 Drivers License as travel within the health authority is required.

Knowledge Skills & Abilities

• 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.
  
  

The hours of work including days off and work area may be subject to change consistent with operational requirements and the provision of the Collective Agreement and applicable statutes. Successful applicants may be required to complete a Criminal Records Review Check.

As per Ministry of Health policy all health care workers working in publicly-funded 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 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 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

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 equity-deserving 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 BCs Top Employers Canadas Best Diversity Employers and Canadas Top Employers for Young People in 2025.

Only short-listed 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.