Job Description

Job Posting: Care Navigator

Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Salary: As per salary grid - Coordinator - Currently starting at $65,895 per year salary

Hours of Work: 40 Hours per week, with evenings or weekends as required

Application Deadline: September 29th at 4pm

Position Overview

The Care Navigator is a leadership member of the Youth Wellness Team, supports the care team and all youth between the ages of 12-25 accessing services at the North Hastings Youth Wellness Hub. The Care Navigator works collaboratively with youth and as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide in-person/virtual case management services for youth in support of their goals. This includes working with youth to navigate the full scope of community resources available to them within the North Hastings Youth Wellness Hub and the broader community to help support continuity of care. The Care Navigator will provide one-on-one and group-based navigation to further develop the skills, resources and community connections of young people seeking health care and other social and community services. The Care Navigator will also engage with families, caregivers and other health care practitioners in the provision of services to youth.

In addition, the Care Navigator provides leadership, guidance, and supervision to NHCS staff and placement students within the Hub, including supporting performance development, offering coaching and mentorship, and fostering a collaborative and accountable team culture. As a member of the Youth Wellness Hub team, the Care Navigator will embody values of care, compassion and inclusivity. You will approach your work with a trauma-informed, client-centered, and solution-focused mind-set within an anti-oppressive practice framework. Having the ability to work effectively as a team member in a dynamic and fast-paced multidisciplinary environment is essential. Experience in supporting safe and meaningful participation and being open to diverse ways of thinking about, understanding and articulating challenges related to mental health and substance use is necessary.

Youth Wellness Hubs of Ontario (YWHO) operates as a Learning Health System, which means service and practice are informed by evidence, data, and the everyday care experience. This evidence is then used to generate new knowledge and continuously refined to deliver best practices for continuous improvement. This will require the Care Navigator to engage in an environment of learning through data, with colleagues and service delivery partners with assistance from YWHO Provincial Office staff. This will also require participation in activities to further build the Learning Health System, such as evaluation, quality improvement, and research.

Key Responsibilities

oSupport community navigation initiatives including Situation Table, Intersections and Coordinated Service Planning

oCreate and maintain a developmentally appropriate, non-judgmental, non-stigmatizing, safe, and welcoming hub atmosphere.

oProvide support that is consistent with YWHO values to youth, their families and caregivers as part of a multi-disciplinary team. .

oWork with youth and families to better understand their service needs and goals.

oSupport a seamless experience of care for youth and families, including the transition between various service pathways internal to the Hub Network (Skills and Well-being, Community & Social Support, Clinical Services) as well as linking youth to resources in the community.

oProvide care coordination and community based support to youth with a number of care providers, including case conferencing to ensure strong communication among care team.

oAccompanying youth to appointments and provide warm transfer supports to youth referred to services both in the North Hastings Youth Wellness Hub and service providers in the community.

oIn collaboration with youth, support the use of YWHO standardized measures to provide mental health and substance use services, monitor progress, and improve youth outcomes (focus on measurement-based care).

oProvide services and supports to youth and their families in a way that is consistent with the values of the YWHO model.

oParticipate in YWHO Provincial Community of Practice for Care Navigator role.

oProvide access to services both in person, remote (off site) or virtually (online, phone) as needed.

oPromote and encourage youth engagement and positive youth development in care planning and establish goals by fostering therapeutic relationships.

oDevelop strong relationship with community services to build referral pathways for young people looking for specific services and supports such as housing, education, financial supports, employment, legal, basic needs, mental health, substance use, and physical health.

oMaintain accurate youth records including case note documentation, progress reports and all other functions within the electronic records management system.

oProvide direct supervision, scheduling, and task assignment for designated Hub staff and students.

oSupport orientation, training, and ongoing mentorship for new and existing staff.

oParticipate in staff evaluations, feedback processes, and contribute to professional development planning.

oModel professional standards of practice and ensure adherence to organizational policies, procedures, and quality improvement initiatives.

oOther duties as assigned

Qualifications

oUndergraduate degree/diploma preferred (psychology, social work or relevant health or social science field).

oRegistration with a professional body considered an asset (College of Nurses of Ontario, Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers).

o3-5 years of experience in healthcare or the social services sectors.

o3-5 experience working with children, youth, families and caregivers.

oComprehensive knowledge of issues related to substance use, concurrent disorders, mental health, trauma and recovery.

oKnowledge of the impact of social/cultural/economic factors on the determinants of health.

oKnowledge of community resources and services considered an asset.

oKnowledge of approaches that promote health equity, including anti-oppressive and anti-racist practice, 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion, community engagement, cultural safety, trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and human rights and accessibility frameworks.

oAbility to work collaboratively within and across interdisciplinary teams and community partners.

oFamiliarity with system navigation models and principles, an asset.

oExcellent communication skills (both written and oral).

oAbility to use strength-based problem solving, active listening, motivational interviewing, modeling and other coaching strategies.

oSuperior interpersonal, collaboration, facilitation, and negotiation skills.

oDemonstrated ability to work effectively independently and in a multi-disciplinary team environment.

oProvide services and support to youth and their families in a way that is consistent with the values of the YWHO model.

oKnowledge of approaches that promote health equity, including anti-oppressive and anti-racist practice, 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion, community engagement, cultural safety, trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and human rights and accessibility frameworks.

oWe strongly encourage applications from First Nations, Metis, Inuit, Black, and other racialized people who are reflective of intersectional experiences (i.e., 2SLGBTQ+, neurodevelopmental differences, living with a disability, etc.).

oBilingualism (English/French) and/or proficiency in a second language is an asset

oDemonstrated experience in staff supervision, mentorship, or team leadership in a health or social service setting.

oAbility to provide supportive performance feedback and foster staff development.

oMust have a valid Ontario Drivers License and use of a personal vehicle for transportation to NHCS sites if necessary

oMust have a clear recent Criminal Reference Check and CPIN Children's Aid Check

Working Conditions

oCombination of on-site work, travel between offices and occasional off-site community outreach.

oEvenings and weekends are required

oLight physical duties (lifting toy bins, moving chairs, setting up tables).

oMay involve standing or walking for extended periods during events or program transitions.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are invited to send their resume and cover letter, Attention: Jessica Anderson, CEO at careers@nhcs.ca by the closing date. We encourage applications from candidates who reflect the diversity of our community, including Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of equity-seeking groups. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. North Hastings Children's Services reserves the right to limit the notice entitlement upon termination to the minimum standards of the Employment Standards Act.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: Up to $65,895.00 per year

Benefits:

Dental care Extended health care
Work Location: In person