Children’s Oral Health Initiative, Program

**FNHA Overview**:
The First Nations Health Authority is a diverse and transformational health organization of professional, innovative and dedicated team members and leaders.

The first of its kind in Canada, FNHA works as a health-and-wellness partner with BC First Nations to support self-determination and decision-making to improve health outcomes.

**JOIN OUR HISTORIC JOURNEY**
At FNHA, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to BC’s history. With a unique governing structure and mandate, our fluid work environment means you can play an active role in real change.
Our talented teams value respect and foster lateral kindness in their working relationships. Our holistic approach to wellness, based on First Nations teachings, is incorporated into all aspects of work culture. Where else will you get to create a personal wellness plan as part of your performance goals?

**Position Summary**:
Coordinates and monitors the Children’s Oral Health Initiative (COHI) program for BC’s First Nations children and families, and works towards the maintenance and development of effective preventative programming to establish a good level of oral health in young children. Maintains stakeholder relationships; facilitates training for providers and delivers direct dental hygiene services as needed to selected COHI communities.

**Union Code**:PSA (Public Service Alliance of Cda)

**Hours**: 37.5

**As a health and wellness organization, the First Nations Health Authority has aligned with the Provincial Public Health Order released on October 14, 2021. We have a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for all employees at First Nations Health Authority. This policy requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If selected for employment, you will be required to provide proof of vaccination by providing a copy of your BC Vaccination Card Passport with the QR code.**

**Responsibilities**:

- Liaises with communities to assess their need for the program, and their capacity to enroll and continue in the program. Advises and explains the conditions of the agreement to enroll and continue in the program. Maintains a list of active, interested, and inactive communities.
- Liaises with communities, including health directors, teachers, parent groups, and other stakeholders to advise and make recommendations on program promotion and delivery. Liaises with health authority partners to deliver services. Initiates contract work with regional health authorities: negotiates, finalizes, maintains.
- Trains, advises, monitors, and provides feedback to oral health providers; addresses COHI provider questions and requests for information to ensure they maintain appropriate standards of practice and competencies to deliver COHI Program activities without deviation. Records and maintains data on hours worked by COHI Program team members to ensure Program accountability for appropriate community formula-based funding.
- Provides direct hands-on training to local community workers (COHI AIDES) who provide basic oral health education and fluoride varnish services. Maintains a list of all COHI team members (providers and COHI Community Aides), including members’ unique identifier number.
- Manages and recommends payment authorizations to remunerate local communities for the services of COHI Aides. Reviews annual targeted funding to communities through funding agreements.
- A full job description is available upon request._

**Qualifications**:
Education
- Graduation from a recognized Dental Hygiene program.

Occupational Certification
- Full registration with the College of Dental Hygienists of British Columbia (CDHBC).

Experience
- Minimum 3 years of clinical experience as a dental hygienist, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

**Knowledge, Skills & Attributes**:

- Knowledge of, and ability to apply, an understanding of First Nations cultural principles and protocols in work situations.
- Knowledge of British Columbia’s First Nations communities and organizations, including cultures, perceptions, diet, geographic locations, accessibility to meet dental needs, and a respect for other agreements with government organizations.
- Knowledge of First Nations Health Benefits (FNHB) dental programming.
- Knowledge of FNHB client benefits and data management systems.
- Knowledge of instructional techniques and strategies to train COHI team members, including providers and community workers, and to deliver instruction to adults and children on preventative procedures.

**Closing Statement**:
**Diversity**

The First Nations Health Authority is committed to respecting diversity within our workforce; preference will be given to individuals with Indigenous ancestry (First Nations, Inuit, Métis).

**What You Can Expect From Us**

Joining our family means joining an organization that supports personal growth, in-house training, a paid volunteer day and a unique full-day orientation program.

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