Saskatoon Tribal Council
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Director of Wellness is responsible for the development and implementation of 2nd level programs and services in healthcare that support the Tribal Council’s member First Nations in collaboration with their local health and social development authorities. The role will provide direction and oversight of direct clinical supervision programs to front-line staff at the community level. The Director of Wellness will also possess strong knowledge of the health and wellness challenges and opportunities. This knowledge can be specific to each of its member communities and the position provides leadership to develop culturally relevant and safe community health and homecare programs and services that will meet their specific health needs. As part of a multi-disciplinary team the position will advocate for the health and wellness needs of STC’s member communities and ensure delivery of programs and services comply with accreditation standards, legislation, organizational policy, processes and procedures. Provides direction and leadership to medical, administrative and clinical staff to ensure the highest quality health care and outcomes for the STC communities. The Director must work cross functionally within the portfolio and across the organization to support operations. The Director will develop internal and external partnerships and work closely with system and community partners.
Responsibilities:
• Develops an overall departmental plan to support STC’s larger strategic plan to improve outcomes in health and wellness of all target client groups;
• Provide leadership and expertise in developing health programs and services, organizational plans and financial plans;
• Propose and implement policies related to STC Health Programs and Family Services authorized by the CEO;
• Develop an operational plan with each STC Health Program Manager which incorporates measurable goals and objectives that align with the strategic direction of the STC;
• Identify and evaluate the risks to STC’s people (clients, staff, management, volunteers), property, finances, goodwill, and image and implement measures to mitigate risks;
• Report and communicate with the CEO and community on the state of the STC Health and Family Services department and all-important factors influencing it;
• Ensures an environment where collaborative working relationships can flourish, including all STC programs; the member First Nations; with external agencies and community resources, and through the various networks in which we operate.
• In collaboration with the CFO, assures that assigned areas of responsibility are performed within budget; performs cost control activities; monitors revenues and expenditures in assigned area to assure sound fiscal control; prepares annual budget requests; assures effective, efficient and allowable use of budgeted funds, personnel, materials, facilities, and time;
• Assists with audits and reviews as required;
• Monitor compliance to ensure that all STC Health and Family Services operations, programs and services are conducted in a respectful and responsible manner, and that all decisions and actions meet relevant legislation, agreements, policies and procedures;
• Provide expert program advice and guidance on health methods, principles and practices, technical advice and interpretation of legislation and regulations to senior management, FN clients and to other levels of government to ensure these organizations are aware and can incorporate the latest procedures and practices within their areas of responsibility and to provide a consultation service in respect to remedial measures necessary to improve the health conditions of FN members living in rural and urban areas.
• Regularly evaluate health programs and services for gaps, effectiveness and efficiency, and propose enhancements to meet the desired health and wellness outcomes;
• Coordinate, chair, facilitate and follow up on regular staff and health program manager team meetings;
• Lead the annual performance evaluations of direct reports;
• Adheres to Accreditation standards and ensures that the Wellness Services Program is effective in monitoring and evaluating services and quality with input from clients and families, working collaboratively and effectively with other health care providers, demonstrate the ability to plan, assess and provide a high standard of delivery of care and services.
• Provide direction and support to health program managers regarding human resource management, issues and complaints;
• Ensure operations are within budget parameters and approve expenditures within the authority delegated by the CEO and Board of Directors;
• Negotiate contracts with consultants and manage projects related to health programs and services follow the agreements process and will ensure alignment with strategic plans and overall achievement of defined outcomes.
• Participate on Boards and Committees as required;
• Works within the confines of the Wellness budget, quarterly forecasts and implements the appropriate expenditures controls to manage costs by providing recommendations to the Director, Well Being on expenses, purchases and resourcing costs prior to purchase or agreement to services; reviewing and monitoring costs; continuously seeking new ways to optimise expenses and labour costs.
• Develops strong teams to carry out the Wellness strategies by recruiting, selecting, training and developing new members as required; providing coaching, mentoring and developing of existing professions with the project; communicating performance and client expectations and standards and ensuring applicable policies, procedures and best practices are adhered to; delegating and monitoring work of team members; establishing performance goals; evaluating employee performance to ensure goals are met and providing timely feedback, assessment of work performance and discipline if required; creating and following up with employees work and developmental plans; ensuring succession plans for self and employees to deliver on project strategies and objectives; leading the development and implementation of processes and best practices within the scope of the project.
• Perform other related duties as defined and assigned by the reporting Director or designate on an as and when required basis.
Working Environment:
• Standard office environment; moderate travel (as required)
Physical Demands:
• Freedom of movement; Keyboarding (>2 hrs at a time); ability to take breaks as necessary; Driving and sensory demands
Health and Safety:
Rights: All Saskatoon Tribal Council employees have the right to information on potential hazards in the workplace, the right to participate in Occupational Health and Safety decisions, use personal protective equipment and clothing as directed by the employer and the right to refuse dangerous work.
Responsibilities: All employees must co-operate with the Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Committee; remain alert to changes or events that might affect client or employee safety; report safety issues, accidents or injuries immediately; follow safe work practices, including the use of PPE; and use their training and knowledge to help other employees work safely as well.
• Managers are ultimately responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace, and so must make the health and safety of all workers a priority. Related responsibilities include; ensuring workers and supervisors have the information, training, supervision and experience to do their job safely; ensuring that workplace injury/incident reporting is completed in a timely manner; supporting the OH&S Committee by involving the committee in health and safety activities, encouraging committee participation, and allocation time and resources; actively measuring and working to improve the health and safety performance of their unit/area by taking every reasonable precaution in the circumstances for the protection of employees and adhering to legislated safety policies and standards
Education and Experience:
• Bachelor’s Degree in health, social science, public administration or a related field (e.g., nursing, health care management, social work or other related degree.)
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a senior management/executive position for a First Nation, public sector or government service agency.
• Experience in planning, directing and administering comprehensive First Nation community health and wellness programs to address socio-economic gaps and improve the well-being of patients/communities, including monitoring and evaluation of programs.
• Experience in departmental planning and evaluation; management of medical and administrative/clinical employees; proposal development; managing funding contracts; developing policies and procedures; and managing basic administrative functions
• Experience in quality of care determination/assessment.
Knowledge, Skills and/or Abilities:
• Knowledge of multi-cultural issues, addictions, mental health issues, family violence, sexual health, immunizations and issues related to the impact of systemic challenges;
• Knowledge of fiscal management and responsibility, health care funding, contracts, and partnerships and risk management best practices.
• Knowledge of Accreditation Canada standards would be an asset;
• Knowledge of the political, social and economic objectives of the Saskatoon Tribal Council and of the Dakota, Cree, and Saulteaux cultures will be considered an asset;
• Proven leadership skills, with a strong focus on mentorship and development of professionals;
• Ability to build teamwork, collaborate and communicate effectively between teams, departments and key stakeholders;
• Ability to maintain effectiveness, drive and focus for extended periods of time, with composure in highly stressful or adverse situations;
• Ability to analyze, manage issues, make decisions and minimize risk.;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written);
• Initiative, strong work ethic and drive for results, receptive to feedback, takes ownership of responsibilities and demonstrates integrity.
Other:
• Must possess a valid Saskatchewan driver’s license, a reliable vehicle and meet STC’s insurance requirements;
• Must provide a current, original, Canadian Criminal Record Check (CPIC) and vulnerable sector check as a condition of employment;
• As a management position, the hours of work may vary generally, and some evening and weekend work may be required as the position must delegate or provide on call services on a 24/7 basis to handle emergency situations.