Island Health Recognized For Its Aboriginal Employment Program

September 29, 2015

NANAIMO – Island Health has been recognized by Accreditation Canada for its novel approach to attract, support and retain Aboriginal employees within the organization. In awarding the Leading Practice designation to the Aboriginal Employment Program, Accreditation Canada called it an “innovative example of a best practice in human resources, and a commitment to improving the way that care is delivered across Vancouver Island.”

So far this year, this is Accreditation Canada’s only Leading Practice related to both human resources and Aboriginal people. It’s a significant achievement to be recognized by experts in the health care field, said Island Health’s President and CEO Dr. Brendan Carr. “Our goal is to have a workforce that reflects the Aboriginal communities that we serve,” Dr. Carr said. “This not only enhances our ability to deliver culturally-safe services, it will improve the health status of Aboriginal people in our region.”

To be accepted as an Accreditation Canada Leading Practice, a submission must successfully meet all of the following criteria, meaning the practice must be:

  • Innovative and creative
  • Client- and family-centred
  • Evaluated
  • Able to demonstrate results
  • Sustainable
  • Applicable to other organizations

Program coordinator Steve Sxwithul’txw says what makes the recruitment and retention program unique, among many things, is its proactive focus on education, information, support and success – and on Aboriginal youth.

There’s an Aboriginal Career Coach who helps applicants create effective resumes and cover letters, and provides interview tips and advice. Twice a week, the four-member Aboriginal Employment team sends out details on new job postings to a distribution list of more than 450 individuals and organizations in the region, alerting potential employees to opportunities at Island Health. Aboriginal Employment Advisors work in communities across the Island, providing on the ground, grass-roots connections with community members, health officials and elected band representatives. These interactions build trust with the community, making it easier to promote health careers and Island Health as an employer of choice.

Each year, Island Health awards two $500 Aboriginal Employee scholarships, and, in partnership with the First Nations Health Authority, hands out 12 individual $1,000 scholarships to Aboriginal students in post-secondary programs. These initiatives don’t just look good on paper. They are working, and Island Health has the results to prove it. In April, 2012, 199 Island Health employees self-identified as being of Aboriginal ancestry. At the end of August, 2015, that number had significantly increased to 520 employees.

“Ensuring quality and safe care for patients and families is dependent on creating work environments that are respectful, inclusive and safe for staff working in teams,” said Kathy MacNeil, Executive Vice President of Quality Safety and Experience at Island Health. “Creating those conditions of safety for Aboriginal employees, patients and volunteers is our leadership responsibility.”

This isn’t the first time the Aboriginal Employment Program has been acknowledged for exemplary achievement. In 2013, the program received the Simon Fraser University Exemplary Initiative Diversity Award. For the past three years in a row, it was a recipient of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers Award. And, just recently, the program was recognized for Most Effective Recruitment Strategy with Canadian HR Awards 2015.

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