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

Vancouver Coastal Health • North Vancouver, BC

6d • CA$41 - CA$56 • Onsite

About The Position

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is seeking a Mental Health and Substance Use Nurse to work on the Carlile Unit at the HOpe Centre in North Vancouver, BC. This role involves providing individualized direct nursing care, discharge planning, and case coordination 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 client-centered rehabilitation programs, working both independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team. The position emphasizes enhancing quality of life from the client/family perspective, performing physical and psychosocial rehabilitation assessments, and collaborating with other healthcare providers and family members to develop and implement treatment plans. Key duties include administering medications, monitoring client responses, educating clients and families on daily living activities, 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 professional knowledge. The Carlile Unit specifically supports young people aged 17-25 facing urgent mental health or substance use challenges, providing a safe and comfortable environment for care and rest. The HOpe Centre itself is a central hub for mental health services on the North Shore, featuring inpatient units and outpatient services, with convenient access to amenities.

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 such as facilitating group process, conflict resolution, crisis interventions, individual and group counselling.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and implement care plans and anticipate and respond to potential complications and care issues relevant to the designated client group.
• Demonstrated ability to participate in the development and delivery of educational programs and materials for clients and families based on education theories, principles and best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to identify emotional, social, or environmental barriers and intervene to eliminate stigma.
• 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 ability to model and mentor new staff and students.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Provides individualized direct nursing care, discharge planning and case coordination services to a wide range of clients with severe and persistent mental illness, concurrent disorders and/or dementia.
• Responsible for the full range of clinical practice and the client-centred rehabilitation program by working independently and as a member of a team.
• 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 to their lifestyle.
• Prepares and maintains client records according to established standards.
• Participates in team meeting, engages in team planning and quality improvement activities.
• Maintains and updates own knowledge.

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
• Access to exclusive discount offers and deals for VCH staff

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level