Job Posting: Indigenous Peer Navigator, AIDS Vancouver

Employment Type: Contract Part-Time (5-10 Hours/Week)
Location(s): Operating within the area covered under the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority
Employer: AIDS Vancouver
Salary Range: $22.00/hr
Closing Date: until position is filled

Send Cover Letter and Resume to: [email protected] or drop off in person at AIDS Vancouver Office – 1101 Seymour St. Vancouver BC. V6B 0R1

 

Job Summary

AIDS Vancouver’s Peer Navigators, in conjunction with the member/participant, develop strategies to maintain or improve health and wellness needs and implement self-management skill sets. Working collaboratively with other health care and wellness providers, the Peer Navigators provide direct health system navigation, health advocacy, education and linkage to relevant specialized health, social and emotional well-being and wellness resources related to HIV. Peer Navigators network with front line service providers to promote AIDS Vancouver’s Peer Navigation Services.
Schedule: 5-10 hours per week depending on availability and skills.

Qualities we are looking for in a Peer Navigator

• You have a cell phone.
• You are dependable, reliable and know how to use a day-planner.
• You have strong emotional self-management skills:

o The ability to keep your own feelings in check while helping someone else through theirs.
o Able to creatively solve problems.
o The ability to set firm boundaries and practice assertive communication.
o The ability to put your own personal judgments, prejudice, and biases aside.

• You are willing to be out about your HIV status to your peers, so are able to draw upon your own personal experiences with HIV, addiction, and living as an Indigenous person to help others.
• You are an intuitive listener.
• Have a reputation for helping others.
• A compassionate person with the ability to treat the person in front of you with dignity and respect.
• You are outgoing and able to engage people who may not trust you at first.
• You work independently, and as part of a team.
• But are not too proud to ask for help and able to take direction.
• You have a strong, solid support group and/or active self-care regimen.
• You have two years clean and sober.
• You are comfortable communicating with health care professionals.
• You can work within the harm reduction model of the society, including Indigenous harm reduction principles and practices.
• You have knowledge of the principles of cultural safety and humility.
• You have knowledge and understanding of the healthcare system and Peer-driven initiatives and interventions, including Indigenized harm reduction initiatives and interventions.
• Ability to reflect on the way your lived or living experiences influence, as it is relevant, to your work.

Part Time Peer Navigator Main Duties

As part of an interdisciplinary team:
• Ensures on-going support to participants by maintaining contact by way of in person drop-in, email, telephone calls, and accompaniments.
• Assess member HIV knowledge and self-management skill level in the context of Indigenous communities including treatment, preventing disease progression, preventing transmission, self-care healing, traditional Indigenous wellness and social support, disclosure, and harm-reduction.
• Help clients reconnect with culture and the land with a focus on HIV and/or HCV healing.
• Help participants to develop self-management skills based on participant-identified needs and Clinic or Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)Outreach Team recommendations.
• Refer members to HIV and Indigenous related health and wellness services and/or other community services.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the root and past, present, and ongoing harms of colonialism experienced by Indigenous Peoples, and the social, historical, jurisdictional, and lived experience of the cultural context.
• Accompany clients to clinics, community agencies or accompanying nurses to homes.
• Attend patient consults at request of clinic or patient.
• In consultation with a Supervisor, promote the Peer Navigation Program.
• Maintain confidential and accurate files.
• Comply with agency policies and procedures, including but not limited to maintaining confidentiality of participants and business operations in accordance with Society policies.

You would be working around people active in their drug or alcohol addiction. These are important points for you to consider before applying for this position.

You may not have all the skills mentioned above. That is ok, we will teach you.

 

Learn more about AIDS Vancouver