CURRENT AVAILABLE POSITIONS 

COMMUNITY HEALTH NAVIGATOR (1-YEAR, FULL-TIME CONTRACT)

Hospice Vaughan

Since 1995, Hospice Vaughan, a not-for-profit , volunteer based organization, has been helping people with life-limiting illnesses live fully in comfort and with dignity until they die, while providing support for families, friends, and caregivers. Currently we offer community based programs and services including Hospice at Home, Day Programs, Wellness Programs, Counselling, Education and Bereavement services. We are currently expanding to include a new Centre of Excellence, 10-bed residential hospice facility; that will open in late spring 2020.

JOIN OUR TEAM:

This role will appeal to a dynamic and experienced regulated health professional who values the community and who is eager to support a growing organization and an energetic team. Reporting to the Executive Director and the Manager Hospice Services, the Community Health Navigator is responsible for evolving our programs by building new partnerships and strengthening existing community alliances to optimize who and how we move clients to the community and keep clients well-supported in the community.

As part of the team, the Community Health Navigator applies their knowledge of the formal (e.g. Health & Allied Health, Community, Social Service networks), and informal (e.g. neighbourhoods, cultural groups, faith based groups) to support individuals and families based on their needs and desires.

This role will work closely with the direct service team to support the development of a centralized community hub for hospice palliative care in Vaughan. This includes assistance with research and evaluation activities, effective community outreach, determining service priorities, identifying collaborative partners, developing triage system for client intake and referrals and mapping out structured care pathways to and from long-term care homes, hospitals, retirement homes, older adult clubs, multi-faith centres and other community support services.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Planning and Program Development:

  • Conduct community consultations to develop a hospice palliative community hub model
  • Map out current community,  health and social support assets and resources
  • Identify collaborative partners and build strategic outreach relationships to support operations and ensure harmonized planning
  • Assist in the development and implementation of new group programs and services to enable vulnerable individuals and families to access blended supports in one space
  • Track metrics for program delivery and community referrals through the hub model
  • Maintain statistical data

Outreach services:

  • Locate vulnerable individuals and families who may be isolated, frail and/or having a difficulty with a life transition and need help navigating the system to access necessary supports. This will include working with Multicultural seniors and other diverse populations
  • Work in partnership with individuals and families to design flexible care plans that address their identified needs
  • Orient individuals and families to hospice palliative services
  • Collaborate with other agencies and professionals for the benefit of the client
  • Identify gaps in service
  • Advocate for system change
  • Organize and deliver public education as required
  • Participate on internal and external committees as required
  • Assist with the development of policies and procedures for the Community Navigator role and Community Outreach program

Direct Service:

  • Individualized client-driven support – Navigators connect with clients through the Outreach Program and other referral sources to provide one-on-one support for client-defined goals. Establish case plans that are client centered and holistic. Monitor and evaluate appropriate case plans at regular intervals to assess changing intervention needs
  • Health referral and advocacy – Navigators connect clients with services for physical and mental health, as well as addictions and offer practical support to advocate for client needs. This may include supporting clients at doctor appointments including assisting them with health literacy issues, finding a physician, completing forms, making appointments and arriving at appointments
  • Social connection: Navigators facilitate client involvement in leisure and recreation activities. They support clients to develop personal support networks by connecting with community resources like older adult clubs, volunteer networks etc. to increase social connections

Follow up services:

  • Provide follow-up services addressing the social and emotional needs of vulnerable members of community through comprehensive assessment, support, connecting to resources, advocacy and system navigation
  • Provide necessary referrals both within Hospice Vaughan and in the community
  • Schedule appointments with clients in office or in their homes, depending on the individual’s needs
  • Attend monthly case management meetings

Other:

  • Promote the services of Hospice Vaughan in a variety of settings
  • Manage confidential client records through paper and electronic systems
  • Documentation and reporting in compliance with regulations and professional standards including the Personal Health Information and Privacy Act (PHIPA)
  • Prepare reports and budgets with regards to submission to ED and Hospice Service Manager
  • Attend team meetings, staff meetings and employee engagement initiatives
  • Participate in organizational events and activities.
  • Assist with general office functions as needed.
  • Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Minimum of 3-5 years’ experience in community case management, program development and implementation, preferably in the not-for-profit sector
  • Knowledge and experience with discharge planning of clients moving from hospital to community
  • Working knowledge of Community Support Sector as well as knowledge of Home and Community Care, Ontario Health Teams, an asset
  • Understand the concept of community development and social determinants of health framework
  • Lived experience with palliative care, cultural or community connections highly desirable
  • Degree in a related health care/social service field, preferably nursing, social work. Registered with provincial regulatory college.
  • Strong computer skills, with proficiency in Microsoft Office and Excel. Comfort learning new platforms is required
  • Highly sensitive to work in confidential environment with independence and upmost professionalism
  • Demonstrated team player
  • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail as well as the ability to take initiative and be creative. This is a great opportunity for a qualified, highly motivated individual looking to broaden their scope of responsibilities and more fully utilize their skills within a growing community-based organization.
  • Experience working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment that is outcome based
  • Commitment to self-learning and flexible work style (including evening/weekend work)
  • Successful candidate is required to provide a criminal reference check

Please specify “Community Health Navigator” in the subject line of your email to hr@hospicevaughan.com. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all applicants, however, only those selected for interview will be contacted. Please no phone calls or agency inquiries.

Deadline for applications is 5:00 pm on November 28, 2019