Siksika Health Services has managed its services offered for 25+ years, and has continually adapted internal financial, administrative, and information management systems to meet our needs and the needs of the community, and to remain in good standing with our supporters and partners.
Department of Finance
Siksika Health Services (SHS) has been primarily funded by the First Nations Inuit Health Branch within the department of Indigenous Services of Canada (ISC) for more than 40 years. We have extensive experience and expertise with multi-million dollar contribution agreements, transfer payments and project funded activities ranging from community health promotion and prevention programs, child & youth programs including 15+ years ELCC programs and services, elder & disability services, employment programs, asset management, clinical services, etc. Siksika Health Services has well-defined management, administrative and operational policies and procedures to uphold our legislative and legal requirements, such as audit and other accountability functions.
Human Resources (HR) Department
Siksika Health Services’ Human Resources (HR) department endeavours to uphold its mission to establish a competent and diverse workforce. The HR team works alongside Siksika Health Services’ management to attract and retain top-talent, and consistently recognize the skills and capabilities of our employees. Regular learning and professional development opportunities are encouraged, to ensure that our team can serve Siksika Nation members in the most accurate, current, and relevant ways.
Communication Department
Communication in the field of holistic health is an expansive area that includes health promotion, health education, risk communication, health and policy advocacy, outbreak communication, patient and provider communication, and health literacy. Health information can have far-reaching effects; even small changes can generate significant impacts within communities served, and for the health organization itself.
Siksika Health Communications pursues the following objectives:
- Provide information to matapiiks to improve and enhance health literacy.
- Improve access to supports and resources that benefit holistic health.
- Engage stakeholders within health promotion initiatives.
- Build stakeholder trust and confidence in SHS.
- Advocate for Siksika Health at various levels of governments, partnerships, etc.
- Develop processes to enhance understanding, and smooth transitions of care.
Information Technology (IT) Services
Siksika Health’s IT department provides information technology support to all components of Siksika Health Services. Siksika Health Services is a premiere site for eHealth and other projects across Canada. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Siksika Health has enhanced its virtual care offerings, including telephone calls for physician appointments, integrating more telehealth equipment at the Health Centre, and use of laptops and tablets to discuss issues with patients. These evolutions have helped minimize the risk of COVID-19 spread for patients. When necessary, patients are seen in person.
In 2018, in partnership with Alberta Health Co-Management and First Nations Technical Services Advisory Group, another eHealth initiative was initiated, aimed at providing better care for residents of the Siksika Elder’s Lodge. The project includes a remote presence technology that allows a doctor or nurse practitioner to observe and speak with patients with health issues virtually, and determine if they need to see a medical professional in-person, or perhaps go by ambulance to the hospital. A goal of the project is to reduce the number of ambulance trips required, and support the after-hour’s staff at the Siksika Elder’s Lodge.
