Indigenous Patient Navigator

Job summary

Provides culturally safe navigation, advocacy, and coordination to help Indigenous clients access appropriate health services, while supporting their cultural, spiritual, and communication needs. Builds relationships among Indigenous communities, PHSA programs, healthcare providers, and regional partners, and supports staff education and improvements to culturally safe care.

Job details

Kamloops, Canada Temporary,Full-Time Apply Save job Program Share on social media Category Management Requisition number 206052E Date posted 10/28/2026 Job Summary In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of Provincial Health Services Authority, patient and employee safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA, and as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position. The Indigenous Patient Navigator (IPN) supports integration with existing navigational and advocacy support currently provided by community and regional health authority partners and supports Indigenous communities and organizations to improve access to appropriate care. The IPN acts as a resource for both Indigenous clients and healthcare providers to ensure the provision of care is culturally safe and client-centered and supports the improvement and performance of health care services through the promotion of cultural safety and cultural humility training and education for staff and employees of PHSA. The IPN facilitates relationship building between Indigenous communities, PHSA programs and services and community sites/clinics within the region. The Indigenous Patient Navigator provides support and advocacy for clients by facilitating and coordinating access to health care services, addressing cultural/spiritual needs, and networking with Indigenous and non-Indigenous health system and community partners. Duties/Accountabilities Provides consultative and navigational services to patients referred to PHSA programs and services by supporting cultural interpretation and/or health literacy translation services and by supporting culturally-competent and safe practice (e.g., access, system barriers, and navigation challenges). Supports patients in communications with physicians, nurses, and other frontline care staff. Supports access and coordination of services for patients within the designated region. As required, coordinates client referrals to and from interagency, Indigenous communities, Indigenous organizations, and other health programs and services. Provides client support services within the hospital care system/community by initiating and maintaining working relationships with Indigenous clients to assess their needs and ability to access and receive culturally-safe care. Supports clients, as requested in the assigned service area, to understand, access, and navigate health care services. Advocates for the needs of patients within the health care system and liaises with other community and regional health organizations and promotes and works to strengthen collaboration with regional health authorities to improve patient care. Provides support and acts as a resource, as required, for healthcare providers and other staff members, regarding the provision of culturally safe care. Coordinates client/family spiritual care requests and/or access to sacred spaces within the healthcare system to support Indigenous beliefs and practices. Supports connection to community services such as Indigenous translators and arranges the language and cultural translation services where necessary. Maintains and updates appropriate documentation and records related to the needs of Indigenous patients in the health care system. Develops and maintains a regional inventory of care related programs and services for clients. Supports the development of regional strategies to improve care for Indigenous patients by engaging Indigenous communities, organizations and other health system partners within the region, and works in partnership with the Metis Nation of BC, BC Association of Aboriginal Centre, and the First Nation Health Authority as appropriate. Provides a link between Indigenous communities and PHSA healthcare providers and supports Indigenous peoples’ understanding of the provincial healthcare system, the First Nations Health Authority, and federal healthcare systems where applicable. Provides information to Indigenous clients, families, communities and organizations within the designated region and provides outreach support to Indigenous communities and organizations to better understand health needs and improve access to PHSA services. Supports PHSA in improving relationships with Indigenous communities and organizations within the region. Assists in addressing culturally unsafe care with clients and staff. Qualifications A level of education, training, and experience equivalent to diploma or degree in a related health discipline, health or social sciences, or a patient care/clinical related discipline, and one (1) to three (3) years’ recent related experience working in Indigenous healthcare. Ability to travel. Valid B.C. Driver’s License is required. [Applicable only to PHSA Corporate Indigenous Health Program] Demonstrated knowledge and experience working with Indigenous (First Nations, Metis and Inuit) communities and organizations. Extensive knowledge of Indigenous peoples’ demographics, languages, cultures, customs and traditions. Experience or knowledge of the health care system and community based resources within the region. Demonstrated knowledge, understanding and application of cultural safety and competency within healthcare. Demonstrated understanding of Canadian colonization, Indigenous specific racism and its impact on the current health and wellness of Indigenous peoples. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team. Ability to use sound professional judgment, empathy, compassion and integrity. Ability to prioritize workload, keep accurate records and write reports as necessary. Ability to adapt as the Indigenous care program evolves. Ability to work independently and utilize strong time management skills to meet deadlines and accomplish objectives. Lived experience with Indigenous populations is an asset. Apply Save job Back to search result SVG Internal job portal Current employees must apply through the internal job portal (link is external) . If the internal job posting has expired, please e-mail internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca (link sends email) with the six-digit job requisition number and your PHSA employee ID number to be considered as a late internal applicant. Please do not apply for the external job posting. SVG PHSA’s values and Coast Salish Teachings PHSA embodies values that reflect a commitment to excellence. PHSA’s values are: Compassion, Respect, Equity, Courage, Innovation. In addition, PHSA accepted six Coast Salish Teachings from Coast Salish Knowledge Keeper Shane Pointe, Siem Te’ta-in. Learn more about PHSA’s values and teachings Back to top Sign up for job alerts SVG Learn about new career opportunities Be the first to know about new jobs at PHSA with recent postings sent straight to you! Email Address Job Categories Call Taker / DispatcherClerical/Secretarial Administrative/Administrative Resource TeamCommunicationsCommunity Health ServicesData AnalyticsDentalDentistryFinance / PayrollHealth Information ManagementHuman Resources/ OH&S / EducationIndigenous HealthInformation TechnologyLab PathologyLegal, Privacy, and RiskManagementMedical ImagingMedical LeadershipMedical Staff - OtherMental HealthMental Health Support ServicesMolecular Imaging and TherapyNew Grad NurseNursing/Licensed Practical NurseNutritionOperations & Strategy ManagementParamedicPatient Care Support ServicesPharmacyPhysiciansProject ManagementPsychiatryPsychologyQuality and SafetyRadiation TherapyResearchRespiratory TherapyRespiratory Therapy Social WorkSonographySupply Chain/Purchasing/LogisticsSupport ServicesTherapy ServicesTrades Call Taker / Dispatcher Clerical/Secretarial Administrative/Administrative Resource Team Communications Community Health Services Data Analytics Dental Dentistry Finance / Payroll Health Information Management Human Resources/ OH&S / Education Indigenous Health Information Technology Lab Pathology Legal, Privacy, and Risk Management Medical Imaging Medical Leadership Medical Staff - Other Mental Health Mental Health Support Services Molecular Imaging and Therapy New Grad Nurse Nursing/Licensed Practical Nurse Nutrition Operations & Strategy Management Paramedic Patient Care Support Services Pharmacy Physicians Project Management Psychiatry Psychology Quality and Safety Radiation Therapy Research Respiratory Therapy Respiratory Therapy Social Work Sonography Supply Chain/Purchasing/Logistics Support Services Therapy Services Trades Select the job categories you want to be notified for. You can optionally select one or more locations as well to limit the alerts you receive to jobs in those locations. Locations AbbotsfordBurnabyCampbell RiverChilliwackCoquitlamCourtenayCranbrookDawson CreekDuncanFernieFort St. JohnHopeKamloopsKelownaLadnerLangleyMaple RidgeMissionNanaimoNelsonNew WestminsterNorth VancouverNorthern BcOliverParksvillePembertonPentictonPort CoquitlalmPort CoquitlamPort MoodyPowell RiverPrince GeorgeRichmondSaanichtonSalmon ArmSecheltSquamishSurreyVancouverVernonVictoriaWhistlerWhite Rock Abbotsford Burnaby Campbell River Chilliwack Coquitlam Courtenay Cranbrook Dawson Creek Duncan Fernie Fort St. John Hope Kamloops Kelowna Ladner Langley Maple Ridge Mission Nanaimo Nelson New Westminster Northern Bc North Vancouver Oliver Parksville Pemberton Penticton Port Coquitlalm Port Coquitlam Port Moody Powell River Prince George Richmond Saanichton Salmon Arm Sechelt Squamish Surrey Vancouver Vernon Victoria Whistler White Rock Your personal information is collected, used, and disclosed only for the purposes of delivering updates to you about career opportunities. Provincial Health Services Authority collects your information as authorized under section 26 (c) of the British Columbia Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). By submitting your information, you acknowledge that you have read our privacy policy and consent to receive email communication from PHSA. You may unsubscribe at any time. I accept terms of service Current employees must apply through the internal job portal (link is external) . If the internal job posting has expired, please e-mail internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca (link sends email) with the six-digit job requisition number and your PHSA employee ID number to be considered as a late internal applicant. Please do not apply for the external job posting. PHSA embodies values that reflect a commitment to excellence. PHSA’s values are: Compassion, Respect, Equity, Courage, Innovation. In addition, PHSA accepted six Coast Salish Teachings from Coast Salish Knowledge Keeper Shane Pointe, Siem Te’ta-in.

What you’ll do

Provides culturally safe navigation, advocacy, and coordination to help Indigenous clients access appropriate health services, while supporting their cultural, spiritual, and communication needs. Builds relationships among Indigenous communities, PHSA programs, healthcare providers, and regional partners, and supports staff education and improvements to culturally safe care.

Requirements

Requires education equivalent to a diploma or degree in a related health, social science, or patient care discipline, plus one to three years of recent experience in Indigenous healthcare. Requires knowledge of Indigenous communities and cultures, cultural safety, colonization and Indigenous-specific racism, regional health resources, strong communication and organizational abilities, willingness to travel, and a valid B.C. driver's license.

Listed skills

• Time management · Preferred
• Communication · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Patient Navigation
• Patient Advocacy
• Culturally Safe Care
• Cultural Humility
• Indigenous Health
• Health Literacy
• Cultural Interpretation
• Care Coordination
• Community Outreach
• Interagency Collaboration
• Communication
• Recordkeeping
• Time Management
• Professional Judgment
• Empathy and Compassion
• Report Writing

Job areas

• Healthcare
• Social Services

More jobs from Sanya’k̓ula