Employment Opportunity: Director of Care of the Mercury Care Home

Grassy Narrows/Asubpeeschoseewagong Netum Anishinabek (“ANA”) First Nation is seeking a full-time Director of Care for the Grassy Narrows Mercury Care Home and Treatment Centre (the “Home”). The Home will be a specialized facility on reserve that will provide care and treatment for those community members who are or may be suffering the effects of methylmercury poisoning. The facility will include 22 in-patient beds as well as treatment spaces for out-patients.

ANA is currently in the pre-construction and planning phase of the Mercury Care Home pursuant to a Framework Agreement with Indigenous Services Canada. It is anticipated that the facility will open in 2022.

Background of the Grassy Narrows Mercury Care Home

Grassy Narrows First Nation is located in Northwestern Ontario, approximately 90 kilometres from Kenora, Ontario via Provincial Highway 671. The community is accessible year round via Provincial Highway 671. The principal languages spoken are Anishinabemowin (Ojibwe) and English. As of June 2019, Grassy Narrows First Nation has a registered population of 1,595 (972 reside on reserve) and is a member of the Grand Council Treaty #3.

Between 1962 and 1975, the Reed Paper Mill released 10 tonnes of mercury- contaminated effluent into the English-Wabigoon River. This resulted in environmental pollution and the contamination of fish within the river system, a major food source for Grassy Narrows First Nation, which poisoned the people of Grassy Narrows. The effects of mercury contamination are still being felt in the community today.

A Community Health Assessment completed by Grassy Narrows from 2016-18 further established that many community members suffer from mercury poisoning and require access to additional services to support their health needs closer to home. Included among the recommendations of the Community Health Assessment report was the construction of a Mercury Care Home and Treatment Centre to meet the needs of community members who require long-term residential care currently unavailable on reserve and those requiring outpatient treatment for mercury poisoning and associated conditions.

ANA has also completed a Functional Plan which broadly outlines the types of clinical and other services to be provided in the Home. It is anticipated that clinical services will include: - Nursing for inpatient and outpatient services; - Specialist medical services including neurology, neuropsychiatry, internal medicine and pain management; - Mobility and movement rehabilitation services including physiotherapy and occupational therapy; - Optometry; - Audiology;

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- Mental health services; - Speech language therapy; - Traditional healing and wellness; and - Residential care up to and including palliative care;

Responsibilities of the Director of Care

The Director of Care is a new role which will be responsible and accountable for the management and overall success of the Home during both the planning and operation phases of the Home. The Director of Care will oversee all operations including those related to clinical staff, the delivery of client care programs and services, and in ensuring the provision of optimum care to promote the wellbeing of clients and employees. The Director of Care will also oversee the administration, maintenance, repairs on the facility.

Key responsibilities will include the carrying out the following in a manner accountable to ANA Chief and Council or their designates.

Mercury Home Pre-Opening Planning

• Assisting with the creation of an Expert Panel that will build on the Community Health Assessment and Functional Plan to develop a Detailed Services Plan. • Identifying which planned services may be provided by, or fall under the authority of, Canada or Ontario. • Developing and implementing key planning documents including but not limited to: o a detailed services budget; o Medical and Care Policies and Procedures for the Home; o Staffing Plan; and o a Repatriation Plan for Grassy Narrows community members currently in care elsewhere. • Developing and implementing a training plan to maximize the number of Grassy Narrows people employed at the Mercury Home. • Overseeing the development and implementation of recruitment, hiring, and orientation plans for staffing the facility. • Supporting the development of an Operations and Maintenance plan with the Design and Build consultants and the Professional Project Manager. • Assisting in the development of funding agreements with the Crown, and establishment of the Grassy Narrows Mercury Home Trust to support the long- term operations of the Mercury Home. • Providing additional assistance to the ANA First Nation, as required.

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Management, Administration, and Supervision of Operations

• Planning, directing, coordinating, and supervising programs and services for clients. • Coordinating the decision-making and strategic planning for the Home, particularly in matters related to staff and client health and safety. • Responsible for adherence to the respective regulations and relevant legislation in the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the standards set by their regulatory body, and the Home’s mission, vision, and policies. • Coordinating the hiring, orientation, continuing education, supervision, regular performance evaluation and, if necessary, performance management and discipline of staff. • Preparing an annual plan and budget, and associated reporting, for consideration by Chief and Council or their delegated body. • Managing and meeting budgets. • Applying for and securing available health care funding from the federal and provincial government as required. • Coordinating and supervising the Home’s service providers and staff, including nurses, personal support workers, cooks, therapists, traditional healers, navigators, counselors, administration and reception, to ensure appropriate delivery of high quality care and services at the Home. • Fostering teamwork, leadership development, staff engagement, and a positive work environment. • Supporting the development of agreements with any required external service providers. • Coordinating and supervising the Mercury Home’s operations and maintenance staff and contractors including custodians, security, maintenance, and repairs. • Responsible for ensuring proper maintenance of all necessary records and documentation relevant to the Mercury Home including finances, human resources, patient care, etc. • Adhering to and meeting all reporting requirements of the Mercury Home established by Chief and Council, the Framework Agreement, any associated funding agreements, and any subsequent agreements relevant to the Mercury Home • Adhering to all applicable laws and regulations.

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Patient Care

• Accountable for the highest standard of patient care through the development and maintenance of individual care plans and provision of the required services and equipment. • Meeting with patients and their families to resolve problems, concerns, and complaints, and to review suggestions on a need be basis. • Respecting and using sensitivity in spiritual and cultural aspects of a patient’s life. • Creating a comfortable and safe environment that provides opportunities for privacy, dignity, control, and maintenance of personal lifestyle.

Relationship building

• Creating awareness and understanding of Mercury Home services throughout the ANA community. • Establishing and maintaining a positive relationship with the ANA community, staff, leadership, patients, and their families. • Promoting collaboration and coordination of services and programs with ANA First Nation, government and community agencies and other health care and wellness service providers. • Creating opportunities for patient and family participation in decisions that affect the patient’s rights and lifestyle. • Working well with the existing ANA Mercury Home Team including the Environmental Health Coordinator, Infrastructure Manager, Legal Counsel, and Advisor.

Experience and requirements:

• A minimum completion of a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in the health care field. • Experience working in a remote or semi-remote First Nations health care setting. • Experience in a managerial or supervisory capacity in a health care setting. • Experience managing budgets. • Experience in contract negotiation with multiple partners and with developing policies, procedures, and directives is an asset. • Demonstrated leadership and communication skills. • Experience treating patients with methylmercury poisoning or exposure to toxic substances.

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• Understanding of the Grassy Narrows mercury crisis. • Strong computer skills. • Commitment of at least 3 years to the job is an asset • Fluency in English and Ojibway are an asset.

A Vulnerable Sector (Police) Check, 2 step TB test, and negative COVID-19 test result are required as part of the recruitment process.

Contract is for a 4-month probationary period followed by annually renewable 1-year contract at Grassy Narrows’ discretion.

Salary: $150,000/year

Application deadline: January 8, 2021.

Expected start date: January 18, 2021

To apply, please send a covering letter, resume and list of references by January 8, 2021 to: [email protected]

Inquiries may also be directed to the email above.

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