ʔAkisq̓nuk First Nation (“AFN″) is looking for a talented individual to join our team as the Director of Health and Wellness. Reporting to the CAO, the Director of Health and Wellness is responsible for providing leadership, direction, and high-level oversight of Community Health and Wellness programs and services for the ʔAkisq̓nuk community. This role involves collaborating with healthcare professionals, community leaders, and external partners to ensure the delivery of culturally sensitive and effective new programs and current services.
The Director establishes, implements and leads a team delivering health and wellness services to AFN members, through planning, organizing, directing, employing internal controls and evaluating the programs and activities of the Health and Wellness team within ʔAkisq̓nuk First Nation.
ʔAkisq̓nuk First Nation is a member Community of the Ktunaxa Nation. Externally, we are here to serve the Community, and internally, we are our own Community, comprised of different departments unified by our Vision, Mission, and Values. As a team, through our own roles and departments, the AFN Organization works together to achieve our strategic plan “Our Thinking” and continue to progress and move our community forward.
Job Type: This role is full-time working 35 hours per week working onsite at the office.
The primary responsibilities include:
Strategic Planning and Leadership:
- Collaborate with senior leadership and community stakeholders to provide advice and support Council in developing an approved strategic vision for the health and wellness services for the community.
- Design health & wellness initiatives to best serve the members.
- Provide full supervision, leadership and guidance to the Health and Wellness team and other staff members.
Program Development and Management:
- Oversee the development, implementation of the strategic vision through developing and operational workplans, including “community health and wellness” programs and initiatives that address the unique and comprehensive health needs of the community.
- Monitor program effectiveness and make oversee department managers in implementing changes for improvement.
- Source subject matter experts to deliver programs.
Community Engagement:
- Build and maintain positive relationships with community members, healthcare professionals, and external organizations.
- Collaborate with community leaders and elders to integrate cultural values and traditions into healthcare/program practices.
Compliance:
- Stay informed about healthcare policies, regulations, and guidelines that affect the community.
- Ensure that healthcare services adhere to legal and regulatory requirements.
Quality Assurance and Improvement:
- Implement quality assurance measures to assess the effectiveness and safety of healthcare services.
- Lead efforts to continuously improve the quality of care provided.
Data Management and Reporting:
- Collect, analyze, and maintain healthcare data and statistics relevant to the community's health and program services.
- Prepare and present regular reports on healthcare outcomes and trends.
- Complete and submit all relevant reporting based on funding requirements, scheduled reports on outcomes etc.
- Collaborate with colleagues to develop database(s) to store information, data etc. example: Point-Click-Care.
- Ensuring the Health Centre meets the legislative authorities for protecting privacy.
- Overall responsibility for information security, managing information assets, privacy and security safeguards, auditing safeguards, managing and collaborating on privacy breach investigations and acting on the outcomes of an investigation.
- The implementation and security of the information management systems, including information management systems shared with health care providers (e.g., First Nation Health Service Organizations, federal, provincial, and/or regional health care partners).
- Ensuring AFN health care partners and contracted organizations (e.g., information technology providers, facility managers, security providers, etc.) adhere to and support Privacy and Security Framework.
Emergency Response Preparedness:
- Working with Emergency Programs Manager, develop and implement emergency response plans for healthcare crises or natural disasters.
- Coordinate with local authorities and agencies during emergencies.
Supervision and Team Development:
- Provide supervision and support to Wellness Programs Manager and Health Services Manager, ensuring they have the necessary training and resources to perform their roles effectively.
Finance and Administration:
- Manage departmental finances, work plans, and budgets in collaboration with the CFO.
- Develop funding proposals, oversee financial reporting, and manage funding agreements.
- Ensure records and financial operations comply with legal and organizational standards.
- Coordinate resource deployment and maintain support systems for finance, technology, facilities, and HR.
- Anticipate capital needs and collaborate on business plans.
Other duties as required.
Qualifications:
- A Bachelor’s degree in Health Administration, Public Health, Healthcare Management, Nursing, Social Work, or a related discipline is required. A Master’s degree is considered an asset.
- Additional education, training, or certifications in Indigenous health, community wellness, privacy, information management, quality improvement, or emergency preparedness would be considered an asset.
- Current professional registration or designation in a regulated health profession would be considered an asset, but is not required.
- 5+ years of experience in a management or senior leadership role, with responsibility for supervising teams, developing programs, and managing departmental operations.
- Demonstrated experience working with federal and provincial health systems, government agencies, health authorities, funding bodies, and external healthcare providers.
- Experience with program evaluation, quality assurance, performance measurement, data analysis, and outcome reporting.
- Demonstrated experience engaging with Indigenous communities, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, cultural advisors, and/or Traditional Healers, with an understanding of the importance of culturally safe and community-led health services.
- Experience presenting complex health, operational, financial, and program information to Chief and Council, senior leadership, committees, and community stakeholders.
- Excellent project management abilities, ensuring timely and budget-compliant delivery.
- Skilled in developing and implementing procedures and work standards.
- Adept at budget management and resource allocation.
What we offer:
- Competitive base salary ($110,000-$120,000 per annum depending on education and experience)
- Discretionary office closure between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, as determined by the Council each year
- Paid annual vacation
- Paid sick days
- Employer-paid Group Benefits which includes Life Insurance, Health and Dental benefits, Employee and Family Assistance Program, Short- and Long-Term Disability
- Matched RPP program with employer matching up to 5.5% of the employee’s salary, available after 4 months of service
- Live and work in the most beautiful place in British Columbia
ʔAkisqnuk supports a diverse and inclusive work environment and welcomes applications from all qualified applicants. You must be legally entitled to work in Canada. We thank all applicants, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
