Allied Health Lead (0.8-1.0 FTE)

We are seeking an experienced and passionate allied care professional (ex: Social Work, Counselling, Occupational Therapy) ready to play a leadership role in decolonizing healthcare and advancing health and wellness equity of Indigenous people and the Downtown Eastside community. Kilala Lelum strives to offer integrated primary care and allied health services, Elder-led cultural care, engage with Food as Medicine, and a range of specialized programs. We provide in-clinic and outreach-based services in ways that endeavor to center Indigenous cultural healing and Ways of Being/Knowing, and to be strength-based, trauma-informed, member-centered, and grounded in harm reduction. Our goal is to contribute to a health system that is accessible, safe, and truly meets the needs and desires of our members.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Executive Director and serving as a key member of the KL Leads Circle, the Allied Health Lead has two main functions. 

First, acting as a lead for our Allied Canoe Team, the role provides guidance, support, and leadership to a multidisciplinary team that includes Social Navigators (our modernized version of social workers), Counsellors, Outreach Workers, and our Housing Support Coordinator. The Allied Health Lead will also develop and maintain relationships with community partners, funders, and relevant stakeholders (ex: VCH) to advance the values and objectives of the Allied Canoe Team and services. This role is responsible for the administrative needs of the team, including budget management and reporting to funders. 

The Allied Health Lead will also work closely with the Executive Director and the Kilala Lelum Leads Circle to contribute to steering the overall operations and development of the organization. Specifically, this role will work closely with the Human Resources Manager to lead the design and delivery of our staff wellness initiatives. This has been identified as one of four key areas of focus in our Five-year Strategic Plan. We are excited for the Allied Health Lead to contribute to this next phase of enhancing support for our staff and program teams, along with pursuing organizational changes and developments, to embody a culture of care and connection, holistic wellness and decolonization. 

Responsibilities:

As the lead of the Allied Canoe Team:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for the Allied Health team (Counsellors, Social Navigators, Outreach Workers); support the team in managing referrals, distributing workload and responsibilities, creating support systems, reassigning and/or stepping in as appropriate.
• Coordinate and/or attend internal meetings, including:
  • Weekly Social Navigation team meetings
  • Weekly all staff meetings
  • Monthly meetings with Executive Director
  • Monthly Allied Canoe meetings
  • Monthly Kilala Lelum Leads meeting
  • Two Kilala Lelum Board meetings per year as representative of Allied Canoe
• Act as the communication link between the Allied Canoe team and the Leads Circle, and ensure relevant information and/or input is shared between groups
• Manage the overall budget, guide planning and decision-making, and complete reporting associated with the Reaching Home (and any other) grant. Support team members to fulfill their responsibilities associated with the grant. 
• Create time and space to adequately debrief and support Allied Health staff through decision-making and responding to situations that are often ethically complex and distressing.  
• Work in collaboration with the HR Manager, Accounting Manager, and administrative team to fulfill all administrative and management responsibilities related to the Allied Canoe team, including hiring, training, and staff supervision.
• Liaise and maintain relationships with other service providers and stakeholders (ex: VCH, VACFSS, etc.) in the DTES and beyond, including housing providers and social and health service providers that Kilala Lelum collaborates with on an ongoing basis.
• Perform advocacy and represent the interests of the Allied Canoe team and members served in internal and external meetings, consultations, committees, and other relevant venues to advance the goals, values, and needs of the team and members
• Lead and/or contribute to (as appropriate) the development of policies and procedures and/or new initiatives that involve Allied Health services.

As a member of the KL Leads Circle:

• Participate in monthly KL Leads meetings and contribute to discussions and decision-making relevant to the overall operations and development of the organization. This includes identifying and anticipating needs and opportunities for growth, change, and/or responses to maintain the wellness of the organization and alignment with our goals and values. 
• Contribute to the development and implementation of systems, policies and procedures, and new initiatives relevant to the overall operations and functioning of KL.
• Lead staff wellness initiatives, in collaboration with the HR Manager, and through input from the Executive Director, Elders, Indigenous Health Lead, and Leads Circle. This includes to:
  • Review, enhance, and implement KL’s policies, procedures, and resources to support staff wellness; 
  • Provide guidance and support to other Leads and Managers on team and staff wellness; 
  • Seek ideas and input from staff, and empower staff to implement their initiatives (such as a new staff initiative called “Cultivating Brave Spaces Together Collective”)
  • Bring forward ideas and resources to improve staff wellness
  • Contribute to planning staff wellness initiatives
  • Ensure Indigenous culture, practices, and ways of knowing are centered in the design and delivery of staff wellness initiatives, including following appropriate protocols, consultations, and involvement. 
• Model strong self awareness, compassion and humility, thoughtful communication and conflict resolution skills. Work to bridge gaps and understanding, and bring people together around our shared purpose and values.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Preference will be given to candidates with Indigenous ancestry. Experience and knowledge of Indigenous peoples and Indigenous culture would be extremely beneficial. Completion of a cultural competency training or willingness to participate required.
• Completion of education requirements to be fully registered as a practitioner of your Allied Health Discipline (ex: Registered Social Worker, Clinical Counsellor, Occupational Therapist), and/or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, especially in terms of Indigenous Ways of Knowing/Being, and cultural healing and practices.  
• Professional experience in Vancouver’s DTES and/or working with Indigenous communities, with a demonstrated capacity to provide care that is culturally-safe, strength-based, trauma-informed, member-centered, equity-oriented and grounded in harm reduction. Other forms of experience will be considered, especially in terms of Indigenous Ways of Knowing/Being, and cultural healing and practices.  
• Desire to work with the residents of the DTES and provide exceptional service.
• Demonstrated commitment, openness, and humility to learning and valuing cultural protocols, and employing trauma informed practices towards culture and the experiences of Indigenous people with Kilala Lelum members.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, and maintain good working relationships within the team and with community partners.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Experience with Electronic Medical Records or other client databases, would be beneficial.
• Ability to navigate complex provincial government systems such as BC Housing and the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction.

Working Conditions:

Primary location will be 626 Powell Street with the opportunity to work remotely where possible. The Allied Health Lead is expected to spend a significant portion of their work time on site, in order to provide direct support and supervision to the team.

Supervision and Support Provided:

This position reports to the Executive Director and is supported by the members of the Leads Circle. This position also receives clinical supervision and support from an Indigenous registered counsellor.

Additional Information:

• Ideal start date as soon as possible with sufficient training.
• Ideal days of work will generally fall between Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm, with a specific schedule to be determined with the successful candidate to meet requirements of 0.8FTE (32 hours per week) or 1.0FTE (40 hours per week).
• Starting hourly salary between $43-$47/hour, based on experience and qualifications. Based on the Health Sciences Professional Grid, commensurate with local health authorities.
• Successful candidates will be required to complete a Criminal Record Check.
• Robust extended health and dental benefits available.

To Apply:

Please send your resume and cover letter to fleurie.hunter@uihhc.ca. Your cover letter should outline your interest in this specific role, and how your background and experience make you a good fit. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.