Job Opportunity - Research Assistant, Aboriginal Health - Fraser Health

Job Posting Position: Research Assistant, Aboriginal Health

Hours of Work: 30/hr per week

Location: Central City Office Tower (13450 102 Ave, Surrey, BC V3T 5X3)

Compensation: $17.54 - 20.64/hr.

Term: 1 year from start date

Project Background

Fraser Health is responsible for the delivery of hospital and community-based health services to over 1.8 million people in 20 diverse communities from Burnaby to Fraser Canyon on the traditional territories of the Coast Salish and Nlaka’pamux Nations. It is the fastest growing health authority in the province and has more than doubled in population since 1986. The Fraser Region is home to nearly 62,000 self-identifying Aboriginal peoples, with over 40% (26,000) self-identifying as Métis. Furthermore, the Fraser Region is home to six Métis Chartered Communities. In June 2019, Fraser Health and Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) signed a Letter of Understanding (LOU) committing to work together to ensure equitable access to health care services and to close the gap in health and wellness between Métis people and the general population. In support of this LOU, Fraser Health and MNBC received funding from the Vancouver Foundation in April 2021 to pursue systems change initiatives within the health authority. Specifically, the funding is intended to address the historical and systemic issues that have rendered Métis voices invisible, especially in the context of designing and delivering health services.

The goals of the project are to:

1. Increase the representation of Métis people at all levels of the health authority.

2. Increase the awareness and understanding of Métis history and traditions within Fraser Health’s workforce through education and training opportunities.

3. Leverage new Métis data linkages to inform service delivery, program planning and health policy (e.g. overdose data, chronic disease data, attachment rates etc.).

4. Increase attachment of Métis people to primary care and team-based care providers.

5. Identify and address Fraser Health policy barriers to improving Métis health outcomes.

Role Description and Responsibilities

The Research Assistant will collaborate with Fraser Health’s Aboriginal Health Team and MNBC to ensure the meaningful involvement of Métis voices towards healthcare reform. In addition, the successful candidate will contribute to the B.C-wide effort to address anti-Indigenous racism and embed cultural safety and humility.

Specific responsibilities will include:

• Supporting the creation of education and training materials

• Conducting research and evaluation through methods such as reviewing literature, designing methods and tools, and collecting, compiling, analyzing, interpreting and reporting data

• Coordinating and scheduling focus groups and interviews with Métis participants

• Working with MNBC’s Regional Health Coordinator in the development and delivery of Knowledge Translation (KT) and education events with Métis Chartered Communities

• Ensuring study related administrative tasks and correspondence are completed, such as, the preparation and collection of study and required regulatory documents. Prepare and submit applications for ethical review to the FH Research Ethics Board (REB) and other REB's, as required, and ensure that all applicable approvals for conducting research in FH and other sites are obtained.

• Supporting and coordinating meetings of the Project Advisory Committee • Assisting with the preparation of grant applications for new research initiatives. Required Skills and Competencies

• Team oriented with the willingness/ability to collaborate and participate in sharing ideas

• Demonstrated desire to work with Métis Chartered Communities and build positive and mutually beneficial relationships

• Strong organizational, written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to use application software including proficiency in Microsoft Office

• Strong research and analytical skills • Interested in learning from and working with Métis Chartered Communities • Ability to multi-task and manage multiple priorities

• Ability to travel across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Canyon

Application Due: Friday July 2, 2021 at 5:00 PM

Please e-mail a resume and writing sample to noelle.saemerow@fraserhealth.ca