Mental Health and Substance Use Nurse - Registered Nurse (RN) / Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN)

Vancouver Coastal Health • Vancouver, BC

6d • Onsite

About The Position

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is seeking a Mental Health and Substance Use Nurse to join the Segal Mental Health Centralized Services team in Vancouver, BC. This role involves providing individualized direct nursing care, discharge planning, and case coordination services to clients with severe and persistent mental illness, concurrent disorders, and/or dementia. The nurse will be responsible for the full range of clinical practice and the client-centered rehabilitation program, working both independently and as part of a team to enhance client and family quality of life. Responsibilities include performing physical and psychosocial rehabilitation assessments, consulting with healthcare providers and family members to develop and implement treatment plans, administering medications, monitoring client responses, educating clients and families on daily living, medication use, side effects, and illness integration into their lifestyle. The role also requires maintaining client records, participating in team meetings and quality improvement activities, and staying current with knowledge. The position operates within the context of a client and family-centered care model and adheres to the standards of the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).

Requirements

• Current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse or a Registered Psychiatric Nurse with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).
• Completion of a minimum 6 week or 240 hours of clinical practicum/preceptorship in a mental health setting supplemented by completion of coursework in mental health or an equivalent combination of education, training or experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of concurrent disorders, substance use and abuse, harm reduction strategies including assessment and intervention.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles and practices of conceptual models of psychiatric care including: person and family centered care, trauma-informed care, recovery model in mental illness and psychosocial rehabilitation methodology.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Mental Health Act as it applies to the rights and obligations of clients and staff.
• Demonstrated knowledge of community, social and mental health resources.
• Demonstrated knowledge of impact of social, cultural and family systems on health outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to provide nursing assessments and interventions.
• Demonstrated ability to document client care on appropriate systems/forms in accordance with organizational and unit standards in a timely and accurate manner.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage conflict situations and aggressive behaviour and use non-violent crisis intervention and behavioural management techniques.
• Demonstrated skill in performing autonomous scope of practice and standards of care relevant to designated client population.
• Demonstrated skill in clinical techniques and the use of applicable equipment and supplies.

Nice To Haves

• Minimum Nurse to Patient Ratios (mNPRs) implementation context.
• Experience in a mental health setting.

Responsibilities

• Provides individualized direct nursing care, discharge planning, and case coordination services to clients with severe and persistent mental illness, concurrent disorders, and/or dementia.
• Performs physical and psychosocial rehabilitation assessments.
• Consults, confers, and collaborates with other health care givers and family members to develop, implement, evaluate, and modify individualized strength-based treatment plans.
• Establishes, maintains, and enhances therapeutic relationships based on respect.
• Administers prescribed medicines, monitors client response, and provides/demonstrates ongoing information to the client/family on activities of daily living, use of medication and side-effects, and integration of illness into their lifestyle.
• Prepares and maintains client records according to established standards.
• Participates in team meetings, engages in team planning, and quality improvement activities.
• Maintains and updates own knowledge.
• Facilitates group process, conflict resolution, crisis interventions, individual and group counselling.
• Plans and implements care plans and anticipates and responds to potential complications and care issues.
• Participates in the development and delivery of educational programs and materials for clients and families.
• Identifies emotional, social, or environmental barriers and intervenes to eliminate stigma.
• Documents client care on appropriate systems/forms in accordance with organizational and unit standards in a timely and accurate manner.
• Effectively manages conflict situations and aggressive behavior and uses non-violent crisis intervention and behavioral management techniques.
• Models and mentors new staff and students.
• Performs autonomous scope of practice and standards of care relevant to the designated client population.
• Performs clinical techniques and uses applicable equipment and supplies.

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
• Award-winning recognition programs
• Access to exclusive discount offers and deals for VCH staff

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees