Mental Health and Substance Use Nurse - Registered Nurse (RN) / Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN)
About The Position
Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is seeking a Mental Health and Substance Use Nurse for the Psychiatric Assessment team at Joseph & Rosalie Segal & Family Health Centre in 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 perform physical and psychosocial rehabilitation assessments, collaborate with healthcare providers and family members to develop treatment plans, administer medications, monitor client responses, and educate clients and families. Responsibilities also include maintaining client records, participating in team meetings, and engaging in quality improvement activities. The Psychiatric Assessment Unit (PAU) at Vancouver General Hospital is a 14-bed short-stay unit focused on acute psychiatric stabilization, with an average length of stay of approximately three days. Nurses on the PAU support patients with their physical and mental health needs and daily activities in a comforting, caring, and holistic environment.
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.
- 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.
- Supports patients with their physical and mental health needs as well as day-to-day activities.
- Provides acute psychiatric stabilization for patients in a comforting, caring and holistic environment.
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
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
