Outreach Doula, Indigenous Health

Come work as an Outreach Doula, Indigenous Health with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)!

Vancouver Coastal Health is committed to improving the health and access to culturally safe healthcare of the Indigenous people in our region, and we recognize that we all have a contribution to make in reconciliation and healing. VCH’s Indigenous Health team works with staff and physicians across all programs and departments to provide strategic leadership, partner collaboration and community engagement to assist VCH to become a more culturally competent and safe organization. Vancouver Coastal Health is looking for an Outreach Doula, Indigenous Healthto join the Indigenous Health Homelessness team. Apply today to join our team!

As an Outreach Doula, Indigenous Health with Vancouver Coastal Health you will:

• Report to the Director, Indigenous Mental Wellness & Substance Use, and Community Services, you are responsible in the support of an integrated traditional wellness program for Indigenous clients during the pregnancy, labour, and early postpartum period in the Downtown Eastside (DTES) community in Vancouver.
• Work in an outreach capacity, your work is part of an interdisciplinary team providing connection to cultural practices and supports, informational and health system navigational support for Indigenous clients who are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness.
• Work in close collaboration with VCH maternity staff, medical staff, community service providers, and other external partner agencies to advance improved health and wellness outcomes and health care experiences of Indigenous people experiencing or are at risk of homelessness through the pregnancy, labour, and early postpartum continuum of care within Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH).
• Work within an interdisciplinary team, you will offer non-medical biopsychosocial, informational, and health system navigational support and companionship through the continuum of the perinatal period, from pregnancy, labour, and early postpartum period.
• Provide connection to cultural practices and supports, and support clients who face barriers to enter into primary care and other community services.
• You will support families with the transition of welcoming and integrating the new baby into the family, which may include supporting housing transitions, and working with service providers, external partner agencies, toward family reunification.
• You support through the full spectrum of reproductive health outcomes, including live birth, abortion, miscarriage, stillbirth, and adoption.

Education & Experience

• Completion of a Doula Training Program from an accredited institution.
• Supplemented with two (2) to three (3) years’ recent, related experience working with Indigenous communities, or an equivalent level of education, training and experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in health care, social work, nursing or related discipline is an asset.
• Experience working in the health authority system, and in particular navigating health system challenges and barriers to accessing services.
• Valid BC Driver’s License as travel within the health authority is required.
• Pursuant to Section 41 of the British Columbia Human Rights Code, preference will be given to individuals of Indigenous identity (First Nations, Inuit, Metis).

Knowledge & Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge and demonstrated ability to provide culturally safe care, has completed Indigenous Cultural Safety Training.
• Demonstrated understanding and in-depth knowledge of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis Peoples and history, including an understanding of wellness, cultural knowledge, understanding of direct and intergenerational trauma.
• Demonstrated understanding of provincial and federal guiding principles and documents, for example In Plain Sight report, and calls to action to eliminate systemic racism in the health care sector.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and recognize current health care system gaps and barriers for Indigenous individuals and communities seeking health care.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and recognize power inequities within the healthcare system associated with ongoing impacts of colonialism.
• Demonstrated knowledge of how to apply strengths-based trauma and violence-informed principles into practice.
• Broad knowledge of perinatal health care delivery systems in primary, acute and community settings.
• Knowledge of diverse gender, reproductive and sexual health issues and priorities, current birthing practices and current research on pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum and parenting.
• Broad knowledge of mental health and substance use, and perinatal substance use.
• Demonstrated ability to work with Indigenous communities, Elders and/or Knowledge Keepers to build positive relationships based on trust and mutual respect.
• Demonstrated ability to be self-directed, work independently and collaboratively in a work environment.
• Ability to utilize strong interpersonal skills to support others effectively and compassionately in a collaborative, interdisciplinary team setting.
• Ability to deal effectively with conflict situations using behavioural management techniques, and restorative justice approaches.
• Proven ability to work well under pressure, including time sensitive community requests, flexible work settings, complex care settings, and unforeseen circumstances.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to initiate and maintain collaborative working relationships.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development.
• Ability to operate related equipment, including computer hardware and software.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
• This role description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed and is not necessarily an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required.
  
  

Why Join Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH):

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

Equity, diversity, and inclusion are essential to our goals of creating a great place to work and delivering exceptional care. We acknowledge and accommodate unique differences and ensure special measures are in place so that all prospective and current employees are given an opportunity to succeed.

We are committed to building a representative workforce and encourage applications reflecting diversity of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization or ancestry, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

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.


***Employees of VCH must apply online via the Internal Career Portal on CareerHub, you are currently viewing the External Career Portal. Refer to the https://my.vch.ca/working-here/job-postings 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.