(RN/RPN) Seeking Experienced Community Mental Health Nurses for the Vancouver Community!
About The Position
Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is seeking experienced Community Mental Health and Substance Use Nurses (RN/RPN) for various neighbourhood sites within the Vancouver Community Mental Health and Substance Use (MHSU) team. These teams support adults aged 19 and older with moderate to severe mental health, substance use, and concurrent disorders. The role is neighbourhood-based, working within an interdisciplinary team that collaborates with local community services, physicians, and other care providers. This position involves a mix of on-site and outreach work. VCH is committed to enhancing nursing practice and quality of care through initiatives like minimum Nurse to Patient Ratios (mNPRs), developed in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the BC Nurses’ Union. The organization values caring for everyone, continuous learning, and striving for better results, fostering environments where nurses can grow and thrive.
Requirements
- Current practicing registration and authorization to practice as a Registered Nurse or Registered Psychiatric Nurse with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).
- Two (2) years recent experience providing nursing care for individuals with mental health conditions and/or substance use disorders, or an equivalent combination of training, education, and experience.
- Demonstrated knowledge of mental health and substance use theory and practice including therapeutic communication, crisis intervention and management, psychopharmacology and pharmacology, interdisciplinary care coordination and case management, individual and group counseling, key VCH and non-VCH community resources, and the nursing process.
- Demonstrated knowledge of frameworks guiding nursing practice including client and family-oriented care, healthy equity, and psychosocial rehabilitation.
- Demonstrated knowledge of Trauma and Violence Informed Practice, harm reduction approaches, recovery oriented and strengths-based care.
- Demonstrated ability to promote Indigenous cultural safety.
- Demonstrated ability to provide competent and culturally safe care in a variety of settings including with diverse populations.
- Knowledge of relevant legislation, regulatory, policy and decision support tools and professional and practice standards contextualizing and enabling care in this setting (i.e. Mental Health Act, Adult Guardianship Act, BCCNM Standards).
- Demonstrated skill in clinical techniques such as motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioural therapy, or individual supportive counselling, group facilitation or psychoeducation.
- Demonstrated skill in the application of the nursing process including appropriate screening, assessment, risk identification, care planning, intervention(s), and evaluation.
- Demonstrated skill in the prudent selection and application of standards, assessments and measures defined by the organization for the service/practice setting.
- Demonstrated ability to identify and mitigate key risks (e.g. overdose risk/prevention, psychosis, suicide risk, medication side effects) through evidence-informed nursing practice, interdisciplinary care coordination, client- and family-centred care planning and case management.
- Basic computer literacy skills including the use of word processors, spreadsheets, printers, fax, email and calendar functions.
- Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
Nice To Haves
- Valid B.C. Driver’s License may be required as local area travel may require the use of a vehicle and will be listed on the posting.
Responsibilities
- Provide quality, holistic nursing care for clients, including those with moderate to severe mental health conditions and/or substance use disorders, along the continuum of care services.
- Effectively apply the nursing process to identify and mitigate risks to client health.
- Promote safety and wellness through collaborative, client-centred, strengths-based, interdisciplinary care planning.
- Work with clients and families using a variety of care modalities including in-person, clinic, virtual, and outreach visits.
- Collaborate effectively in an interdisciplinary team environment with diverse people through communication, consultation, problem-solving, facilitation, conflict mediation, and resolution.
- Adapt to unexpected and challenging events, and reconsider workload priorities.
- Effectively use clinical digital information systems for care documentation, risk communication, and care planning.
Benefits
- Comprehensive health benefits package, including MSP, extended health and dental and municipal pension plan
- Employer-paid training and leadership development opportunities
- Wellness supports, including counselling, critical incident and innovative wellness services are available to employees and their immediate families
- Award-winning recognition programs to honour staff, medical staff and volunteers
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
Associate degree
