Indigenous Peer Advocate, Community Based Withdrawal and Substance Use Management

Salary

The salary range for this position is CAD $31.54/Hr. - CAD $33.28/Hr.

Job Summary

Come work as an Indigenous Peer Advocate with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)!

Vancouver Coastal Health is looking for an Indigenous Peer Advocate to join the SHIFT Community Based Withdrawal and Substance Use Management for Youth Team in Vancouver, BC. Apply today to join our team!

The SHIFT team works with young people who are using substances and want to stop or significantly reduce the use of a least one substance. This position is to support youth ages 13 to 25 who are accessing withdrawal management sites and/or wanting to work on their substance use goals in the community. 

As an Indigenous Peer Advocate with VCH you will:

• Work as a member of a community-based team to provide peer-based individual and group support and information sessions to designated clients within the Youth Mental Health & Substance Use program working from a salutogenic and two-eyed seeing approach using land-based interventions in collaboration with Indigenous Elders and the interdisciplinary team
• Provide advocacy for client friendly services free of discrimination and barriers and support clients and their support network with locating friendly health, social and legal services from a cultural perspective.
• Collaborate with Indigenous Elders and/or traditional teachers, develop relationships based on mutual respect, provide outreach services and organize venues and materials for educational sessions.
• Assist with coordinating peer support program by applying Indigenous traditions, perform word processing duties, assist with research and other special projects, maintain and compile statistics, participates in committees, task groups, and/or corporate initiatives and engages in and assists the Coordinator with on-going team planning, development, evaluation and quality improvement activities.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Diploma in a Community Social Services program and two (2) years’ recent related experience advocating and/or providing support to Indigenous youth/young adults, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Personal experience accessing and/or receiving health services in the designated client population/community.
• Preference will be given to applicants who identify as First Nations, Metis or Inuit.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of colonial laws, policies and practices that have negatively impacted Indigenous Peoples.
• Knowledge of the transgender health system in British Columbia.
• Knowledge of two-eyed seeing and salutogenic approaches to health and wellness.
• 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/tactfully both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to organize and prioritize.
• Ability to work under the pressure of interruptions and adapt to changes.
• Knowledge of Indigenous Cultural Safety.
• Knowledge of traditional healing practices
• Knowledge of the principles of harm reduction in a health care setting.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed practice.
• Ability to problem solve and take initiative.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to provide work direction.
• 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. 

Closing Statement

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 Canada's Top 100 Employers in 2024.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for this posting.