Zone: Western Zone
Location: WMH - Western Memorial Regional Hospital
Director Of Indigenous Health & Cultural Safety
Within NL, Site to be Determined by Candidates Location
Permanent Full-time
MGMT
89279POS

Hours:

70 (8 hours; Days)

0830-1630 Hours, evenings and weekends may be required.

Salary: HL25 (CAD88,196.47 - CAD114,655.45 per Annum) Classification Under Review

Competition Number: VAC0015672

Posted Date: 2025-09-23

Closing Date: 2025-10-08

About NL Health Services

Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Health Services is responsible for delivering quality healthcare to approximately 541,000 Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. The provincial health authority is supported by over 23,000 employees and physicians who together work to improve the health and well-being of every person, in every community. Guided by the vision of Health Accord NL, NL Health Services offers a comprehensive range of health-care programs and services through a wide network of facilities, clinics, and community services across five zones: Central, Eastern-Rural, Eastern-Urban, Labrador-Grenfell, and Western.

The Role

Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services (NLHS) strives towards meaningful engagement, strong partnerships and coordinated delivery of health services that meet the needs of and improves health outcomes for Indigenous Peoples of the province.
The former Regional Health Authorities worked collaboratively with First Nations and Inuit organizations including Nunatsiavut Government, NunatuKavut Community Council, Mushuau Innu First Nation, Shetshatshiu Innu First Nation, MiawpuKek First Nation, Qalipu First Nation and other Indigenous agencies such as First Light that provide support to Indigenous Peoples living in urban areas outside their communities.
With the creation of NLHS, there is a need for a coordinated provincial leadership approach to ensure strong working relationships and culturally appropriate delivery of health services across all zones and within provincial programs. The Director, as a single individual cannot represent all Indigenous Peoples, but will work to ensure mechanisms for meaningful representation and engagement of all Indigenous Peoples are in place and will play a key role in facilitating discussions with diverse Indigenous partners to inform decision making and planning across the organization.

Reporting to the Vice President Population Health, Well-Being and Community Health Systems, the Director of Indigenous Health and Cultural Safety works collaboratively with Indigenous and community partners, the Department of Health and Community Services, the Office of Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation, Senior Leadership, Physician Leaders and Indigenous Navigators and other staff within Zones and Provincial Programs, to plan, develop, implement and evaluate an organization wide approach to the delivery of culturally safe care.

The incumbent will support the development and implementation of strategies and approaches that support distinctions based, meaningful, ongoing and inclusive partnerships and effective communication with all Indigenous Peoples of NL. Working with Indigenous partners, the incumbent will:

? Support the development of implementation of the Office of Indigenous Health and Cultural Safety.
? Supervise and support to staff of the Office of Indigenous Health and Cultural Safety, currently the Manager of Indigenous Health and Cultural Safety.
? Develop and lead a collaborative approach to improving Indigenous Health and Cultural Safety in NLHS.
? Lead the development and implementation of a cultural safety framework for NLHS which is guided by:
? Actions from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
? The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, particularly articles 21,23 and 24.
? Calls for Justice from the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Report particularly as relate to health systems, cultural safety and accountability.
? Lead strategic and operational goals related to Indigenous Health and Cultural Safety.
? Support and guide NLHS in the implementation of relevant calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and other previously listed reports.
? Work closely with other NLHS leaders and staff in zone led and provincial programs. In particular, the Manager of Indigenous Health and Cultural Safety, Indigenous Health Physician Lead (LG Zone), Project Manager First Nations Inuit Health (Cancer Care Program), Mental Health and Addictions Indigenous Cultural Advisor (MHA Program).
? Work with Indigenous Partners to support further development of Indigenous Health Navigators throughout NL (Currently positions in Western, Eastern Urban, Labrador Grenfell).
? Establish an action plan to identify and implement policies and practices that support the provision of culturally safe care.
? Support NLHS in the implementation of Joyce?s principle to guarantee all Indigenous People the right of equitable access, without any discrimination to all health services as well as the right to enjoy the best possible physical, mental , emotional and spiritual health.
? Facilitate the implementation of Indigenous led curriculum modules to inform non-Indigenous providers on the legacy of colonialism, its ongoing impact to the health outcomes of Indigenous Peoples and facilitate change towards a culturally safe health care system.
? Support the development of a culture of anti-racism, quality, safety and cultural safety and humility by establishing culturally safe processes to manage feedback and address safety incidents.
? Develop and measure key performance indicators in the areas of access, collaboration, cultural safety and health outcomes for Indigenous Peoples. Regularly report on the impact of the NLHS cultural safety and humility and anti-racism initiatives to Indigenous Partners and other internal and external parties.
? Provide support to Indigenous Health Navigation within the health care system including that which is provided through both the NLHS and the Indigenous communities themselves.
? Work with leadership to enhance the patient and family experience of Indigenous Peoples through the development of efficient, safe, patient centric care pathways or guided by a Patient and Family Centered Care (PFCC) philosophy.
? Work with NLHS programs and services to enhance the journey of Indigenous clients through the practice of trauma-informed care and programs such as Indigenous navigators, access to traditional foods and healing practices, support from Elders, and landbased healing; the specific initiatives should emerge from the recommendations made by local Indigenous communities, advisors, and clients.

Requirements of the Role

The successful applicant will be an inclusive and visionary leader with the ability to build relationships, trust, and collaboration between NLHS and Indigenous communities and have demonstrated abilities in communication, conflict resolution, negotiation and a passion for improvement in the quality of care provided for Indigenous patients and families. While the ideal candidate would meet all the criteria below, if you feel that you have other combinations of professional expertise, lived experience and education that make you a suitable candidate for this position we encourage you to apply and to tell us about your qualifications in your application. Other combinations will be considered if we are unable to find a candidate that meets all the criteria below.

The ideal candidate should:

? Demonstrate knowledge and experience working with Indigenous communities and organizations and knowledge of Indigenous culture and practices, related to Indigenous People of NL.
? Demonstrate understanding of Canadian colonization, Indigenous specific racism and its impact on current health and wellness of Indigenous Peoples.
? Preference will be given to qualified candidates who are Indigenous.
? Have experience and/or knowledge of the provincial health systems and community resources.
? Demonstrate knowledge, understanding and application of cultural safety and competency within provincial systems.
? Possess at least a baccalaureate degree in Indigenous Studies, or in degree in a health, social science, political science, public policy or other related field. A Masters degree is preferred.
? Have at least five years of relevant experience, including at least two years of leadership experience.
? Demonstrate the key skills, behaviors, abilities, and knowledge outlined in the five domains of the LEADS in a Caring Environment framework.

NLHS is striving to recruit a leader who has lived experience in Indigenous communities & ways. Strong preference will be given to applicants who are Indigenous. We encourage Indigenous Applicants to identify their Indigenous identity during the application process, if comfortable doing so. This helps us honour our commitments to equitable hiring and meaningful representation. Recognizing the impacts of colonization of Indigenous People, it is the applicant?s choice whether to volunteer information. Applications will be held in confidence, sharing only with those involved with the hiring process. Please note that representatives of Indigenous organizations have been invited to participate in the hiring process.
A satisfactory record of work performance and attendance is required.

The successful candidate will be expected to reside within the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The ability to work outside of regular working hours and the ability to travel to various locations is required.

NOTE: Use of a private vehicle is a condition of employment.

Our Commitment

Newfoundland and Labrador Health Service?values the diversity of the people it hires and serves. Diversity, inclusion, and belonging at our organization means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, respected, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person?s talents and strengths.

We are committed to providing a safe, healthy, and inclusive work environment that inspires respect. Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services welcomes applications from women, visible minorities, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ2+ persons. We are committed to providing persons with disabilities with equal opportunities, standards and goods and services.