Health Navigator

Life at Kensington Health

At Kensington Health, we are proud to have built a community where people can bring their full selves to work. As a not-for-profit, we believe in the work we do every day. It's what motivates us, inspires, and propels our bold vision forward: a better life for everyone.

Diversity is at the heart of who we are and at Kensington, we celebrate our differences, knowing that creating safe, inclusive, and equitable spaces in healthcare strengthens our bold vision: building a better life for everyone. Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts are guided by our DEI Strategy as we continuously strive to offer equal opportunities for all.

Our people are what make Kensington Health such a special place to work, learn, and grow and delivering exceptional health care to our community – and beyond – is what keeps people here for years. Interested in reimagining community-delivered care with us? Check out our open roles!

Kensington Health Perks

• Generous benefits package that includes employer-paid health plan and vacation.
• Free, confidential mental health and wellness support services through an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Located near the vibrant and diverse Kensington Market neighbourhood, boasting a 99 Walk Score & 97 Public Transit Score.
• An environment that supports and fosters healthy work-life balance.

Job Overview

The Health Navigator collaborates with the interdisciplinary team at the Second Mile Club program to enhance the quality of life of people living in the community with illness and disabilities. This role provides comprehensive case management in the form of psychosocial care, housing support, advocacy, health navigation, counselling, appointment accompaniment, and networking.

Responsibilities

Clinical Care:

• Assess resources needed such as food security and transportation.
• Lead strong community awareness and outreach through community partnership, networking, and social media.
• Support the completion of housing applications through Toronto Community Housing, Access Point and other independent supportive housing options throughout Toronto.
• Support the completion of income assessments such as the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).
• Develop and facilitate appropriate and timely care plans and interventions and documents in the electronic health records (e.g., OSCAR and Ayalacare).
• Liaise with families, clients, and other community agencies to enrich the resources and communications for staff and clients.
• Support the palliative care needs of clients to ensure that they die in their place of choice with equitable access to care.

Health Advocacy:

• Provide strong advocacy, resources, psychosocial support and counselling to clients within the community.
• Represent the agency at outreach functions and work with inter-disciplinary teams.
• Provide professional development through reading current literature and attending relevant workshops.
• Educating clients and community partners on palliative approaches to care to harm reduction strategies.
• Support capacity building and partnership development.
• Attend health appointments with clients.
• Connecting and advocating for clients for appropriate assessments with admissions, specialist consults, Oncology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, addictions support for clients, both in hospital and in the community.
• Support system navigation to reduce barriers to care with a focus on accessibility and equity.

Quality, Safety and Experience:

• Fosters a culture of curiosity, integrity, and empathy to align with the values of Kensington Health.
• Supports the achievement of quality improvement goals and objectives by supporting the implementation of quality and safety initiatives.
• Promotes service excellence through role modeling and fostering of relationship with the client, caregivers, external partners, volunteers and colleagues.

Other:

• Participates in committees and engagement forums as required by the organization.

Qualifications

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrates an understanding and commitment to continued learning around the role of cultural safety, trauma-informed care, inter-generational trauma and its effects, anti-oppressive practice, and social justice in providing equitable care.
• Ability in documenting resident interactions in electronic medical records and maintaining confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA regulations.
• Administrative and computer skills to complete professional reports, documentation, and statistical analysis.
• Organizational and coordination skills to facilitate an inter-disciplinary approach to case management.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with clients of various ages, socioeconomic status, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Proven ability to prioritize duties and meet organizational goals.
• Proven ability to manage multiple demands and stressful situations.
• Committed to continuous education and learning.
• Demonstrated good attendance and performance records with the ability to maintain these same standards.

Required Knowledge and Experience:

• Minimum three (3) years of social work experience with proven ability in community practice. Knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations and standards related to social work practice in healthcare settings.
• Demonstrated understanding and commitment to cultural safety, trauma-informed care, anti-oppressive practice, social justice and provision of equitable care.
• Experience working with structurally vulnerable or high-risk populations in a community setting including homelessness, addictions, mental health, palliative care, seniors and adults with disabilities.
• Knowledge of community and government-based programs and services.
• Understanding of community initiatives such as interRAI-Community Health Assessment Forms Community Navigation Access Program (CNAP) Doorways to Care (DWTC), and Resource Matching and Referral.

Required Professional Designation/Certificate:

• Master's degree in social work (MSW) from an accredited institution is required.
• Current licensure as a Registered Social Worker (RSW) with Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.
• In good standing with regulatory professional college.
• Proficiency in office software applications such as Microsoft Office.
• Experience with health information systems such as OSCAR Point Click Care and Ayalacare preferred.

Kensington Health is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applicants from equity seeking groups. Kensington Health is committed to providing reasonable accessible employment practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodation for disability during any stage of the recruitment process, please indicate this in your cover letter.