Indigenous Wellness Program Lead

Reporting to the Director, Indigenous Patient and Family Experience with accountability to and partnered oversight from the Patient Care Manager, Urban Health and Substance Use (Road to Recovery), the Indigenous Wellness Program Lead plans, gathers feedback about, and delivers culturally grounded and wellness focused programming primarily for Indigenous clients receiving care at Providence Health Care (PHC). This position is primarily dedicated supporting clients receiving substance use care, and is be responsible for understanding holistic client needs and current best practice to prepare materials and directly deliver group sessions, as well as host sessions with guest speakers. Collaborating with Elders, Knowledge Keepers and Indigenous Wellness Liaisons is central to this position. This position is responsible for ensuring that guest speakers are compensated and supported in a good way.

Education, Training and Experience

• A level of education, training, and experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree in related fields like health, social work, or education.
• Three (3) to five (5) years of knowledge and experience in culturally-grounded, Indigenous health and wellness promotion work.
• Preference may be given to applicants of Indigenous ancestry.

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated sensitivity and understanding of substance use and recovery-related issues, including drug policy and harm reduction.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Indigenous cultural safety principles and approaches.
• Knowledge about person-centered and trauma-informed care approaches.
• Knowledge of the health care and social supports systems.
• Experience with program activity development.
• Excellent organizational skills with experience in scheduling and coordination work.
• Demonstrated group facilitation skills.
• Strong relationship-building skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage and resolve conflict in a positive manner.
• Ability to problem-solve in time-sensitive situations.
• Strong critical thinking skills.
• Ability to work in partnership with Indigenous communities, organizations, and individual Elders and Knowledge Keepers.
• Self-directed and able to work independently.
• Ability to lead group physical wellness sessions (e.g., stretching, chair exercises) is an asset.
• Proven ability to work well under pressure, either related to deadlines or unforeseen circumstances.
• Ability to operate related equipment, including computer hardware and software.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
• Ability to travel to different PHC sites in the Vancouver area to deliver programming.

• State-of-the-art facilities:  The new St. Paul’s Hospital and health campus will be the most innovative approach to the delivery of integrated care in B.C. and Canada, designed to appropriately address the future health needs of patients, families and our communities. From hospital care to primary and community health solutions, the new St. Paul’s Hospital and health campus will continue to lead innovations in care, research, and teaching. The new St. Paul’s Hospital is expected to open in 2027.
• A competitive salary: $37.01 - $53.20 per hour, depending on experience. 
• Inclusive culture: We respect the diversity, dignity and independence of all person. We value the cultural richness that our diverse workforce brings to the care of our equally diverse population of patients and residents.

Your Day to Day

• Leads the planning and scheduling of Indigenous Wellness programming activities as part of substance use care services for clients across different PHC sites.
• Directly delivers Indigenous wellness programming and hosts/supports sessions with guest speakers.
• Maintains the cultural knowledge needed to lead or support the delivery of Indigenous cultural activities.
• Leads the coordination of space bookings, materials, supplies, and guest speakers related to Indigenous wellness programming.
• Collaborates and coordinates with other program staff within PHC Substance Use care teams and the Indigenous Wellness and Reconciliation Team, and attends PHC meetings as required.
• Leads the scheduling, support for, and appropriate compensation of guest speakers.
• Gathers and summarizes evaluation feedback from clients regarding programming to include in reporting and to inform ongoing programming work.
• Offers guidance or expertise related to Indigenous wellness programming and approaches to other care providers as needed.
• Handles and documents minor expenses related to programming.
• Reports on activities and achievements of the Indigenous wellness programming work.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Advance Your Career at Providence Health Care!

We acknowledge that Providence Health Care and the new St. Paul’s Hospital site is located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.