Mental Health and Substance Use Outreach Nurse (RN/RPN) - Mobile Crisis De-Escalation Team (MoDe)

Vancouver Coastal Health • Vancouver, BC

5d • CA$41 - CA$56 • Hybrid

About The Position

Come work as a Mental Health and Addictions Outreach Nurse (RN/RPN) with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) on the Mobile Crisis De-Escalation Team in Vancouver, BC. Apply now to join our team! Within the context of a patient and family-centered framework and continuum-based care model and in accordance with established standards of professional practice and the vision, values and policies of the organization, works as a member of the designated community program to provide mobile crisis response and/or outreach services to individuals experiencing urgent and emergent mental health and/or substance use problems. Conducts initial screening and/or assessment as needed, to determine if the client requires, the provision of mobile crisis response, hospitalization and/or other community-based support. Assesses bio-psychosocial-spiritual needs; conducts safety and risk assessments and formulates initial clinical impression to determine the priority of care requirements and the appropriate services and resources. Provides crisis intervention and client care in the form of immediate screening and/or assessment, intervention, referral and support to clients in urgent situations as well as providing assessment and treatment once the crisis period has stabilized. Attends to anticipated/unanticipated client responses to care; initiates measures to stabilize the crisis/emergent situations and responds effectively to aggressive behaviour and/or self-harm. Provides the client/family/caregiver with education and support and develops the care plan with other key members of the interdisciplinary team. Communicates and collaborates with others within community and acute care to facilitate the movement of clients to appropriate services as needs develop or change.This work is framed within VCH’s commitments to our pillars of Indigenous Cultural Safety, Anti-Racism, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and Planetary Health.

About Mobile Crisis De-Escalation (MoDe):MoDe provides non-police same day mental health and substance use crisis support to people ages 17 and older in Vancouver. A person may be experiencing or nearing a mental health crisis, and may or may not be actively use substances. The MoDe team supports individuals in the inner city. The team travels to the person's location and work closely with community service providers including shelter and supportive housing staff to provide community-based health care assessments and interventions, post-crisis follow up, and service navigation.

Requirements

• Current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse or Registered Psychiatric Nurse with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).
• Three (3) years' recent, related experience working with the designated client population providing treatment services in a variety of community settings including outreach to individuals with mental health issues, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Valid BC Driver's License as local area travel will require the use of a personal vehicle.
• 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.
• Knowledge of infectious and chronic disease management.
• 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 work with clients and families using a variety of care modalities - including but not limited to in-person, clinic, virtual and primarily outreach visits.
• 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.
• Knowledge of emergency mental health and crisis stabilization.
• Demonstrated ability to provide crisis intervention/treatment.
• Demonstrated ability to assess and respond effectively to aggressive behaviour and or self-harm.
• Demonstrated de-escalation, conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team environment with diverse people through effective verbal and written communication, consultation, problem-solving, facilitation, conflict mediation and resolution.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to unexpected and challenging events, and reconsider workload priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively use clinical digital information systems for care documentation, risk communication, and care planning.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Provide mobile crisis response and/or outreach services to individuals experiencing urgent and emergent mental health and/or substance use problems.
• Conduct initial screening and/or assessment to determine client needs for mobile crisis response, hospitalization, and/or community-based support.
• Assess bio-psychosocial-spiritual needs, conduct safety and risk assessments, and formulate initial clinical impressions.
• Provide crisis intervention and client care, including screening, assessment, intervention, referral, and support in urgent situations.
• Provide assessment and treatment once the crisis period has stabilized.
• Attend to client responses to care, initiate measures to stabilize crisis/emergent situations, and respond effectively to aggressive behavior and/or self-harm.
• Provide education and support to clients, families, and caregivers.
• Develop care plans with other key members of the interdisciplinary team.
• Communicate and collaborate with others within community and acute care to facilitate client movement to appropriate services.
• Provide community-based health care assessments and interventions.
• Provide post-crisis follow up and service navigation.
• Travel to the person's location to provide support.

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