Mi'kmaw Indigenous Patient Navigator; Designated

Req :
Department/Program: Equity and Belonging, Health Equity, Safety and Wellness
Location: Halifax
Type of Employment: Permanent Hourly FT (% FTE) x 1 position(s)
Start Date: February
Union Status: NSGEU Hlthcare, Healthcare Bargaining Unit
Compensation: $38. - $50. /hour
Closing Date:
Open until Filled

This position is a designated position. The successful candidate must be from the designated Mi’kmaw group in order to be considered. They must self-identify as Mi’kmaw and be able to verify that they are a recognized member of the Mi’kmaq nation. Please self-identify on your application.

IWK Health is a respected academic health sciences centre located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, providing tertiary and primary care for two million children, youth, adults and families each year across the Atlantic region. We have a team of approximately employees, physicians, volunteers and learners at sites across . People build careers with IWK Health with our focus on training and mentorship opportunities.

We recognize each other’s talent and celebrate our successes. We collaborate in modern facilities or virtually from home, align our work to our , and enjoy access to enhanced and wellness programs. We are proud to support our patients, families and communities and are grateful for the generous donor support we receive.

Promoting an anti-racist environment, and calling out discrimination as we work and provide care, is important to us. We are located in Mi’kma’ki, the unceded and ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq people. Working in Mi’kma’ki and providing care to those across Atlantic Canada is a shared privilege with the original inhabitants who have lived here for many thousands of years prior to colonization.

There are 13 First Nation communities across Nova Scotia, and more than 50 historic African Nova Scotian communities who also have a long, deep, and complex history dating back over years. We have the highest percentage of people with disabilities in the country. Nova Scotia has the highest proportions of transgender and non-binary people than any other province or territory in the country.

We are active in our work to eliminate discrimination, but have more work to do to build that trust, acknowledge our biases and reduce the barriers our diverse communities face. We want IWK Health to be a safe and supportive space of equity and belonging in the care we provide and the employment we offer. We welcome all interested persons who self-identify as Indigenous, Black/African Nova Scotians, Persons of Colour, Immigrants/Newcomers, Persons with Disabilities, 2

SLGBTQIA+ to apply to support our goal for our workforce to be representative of the patients, families, and communities that we care for at all job levels.

The Opportunity

The Mi’kmaq Indigenous Patient Navigator (MIPN) honors Mi'kmaw and other Indigenous ways of knowing and being and those related teachings that guide the way.

Central to this journey is nurturing a workplace that is culturally and linguistically safe; rooted in Mi’kmaw and other Indigenous values; that honours diversity and embraces inclusion; where all voices are respected, relationships are strengthened, and there is continuous growth through shared knowledge and community.

Honouring Mi'kmaw and other Indigenous ways of knowing and being, the MIPN carries the responsibility for access and in coordinating services for Mi'kmaw Indigenous patients and their families by arranging health care services (e.g. discharge planning), cultural/spiritual needs, and connecting with Mi’kmaw Indigenous health partners, and other community groups that provide services to Mi’kmaw and Indigenous people.

The MIPN walks in relationship with families as they navigate the multitude of treatments, services, and potential barriers throughout their health care journey. This can include providing cultural interpretation and/or health literacy translation services; supporting patients referred to NSH/IWK programs and services; communication with physicians, nurses, and other frontline care staff; and guidance through system barriers and navigation challenges.

Rooted in the core values of respect…