Mental Health Nurse - Registered Nurse (RN)/ Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN)

Vancouver Coastal Health • North Vancouver, BC

2h • CA$41 - CA$56 • Onsite

About The Position

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is seeking a Mental Health Nurse to join their team at the HOpe Center in North Vancouver, BC. This role involves providing individualized direct nursing care and brokerage 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 client-centered rehabilitation programs, working both independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team. Key aspects of the role include performing physical and psychosocial rehabilitation assessments, collaborating with other healthcare providers and family members to develop and implement treatment plans, administering medications, monitoring client responses, and educating clients and families. The position emphasizes a client and family-centered care model and adherence to the standards of practice set by the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM). The nurse will also maintain client records, participate in team meetings and quality improvement activities, and continuously update their knowledge. Practice is aligned with VCH's vision, mission, goals, and values.

Requirements

• Current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse or Registered Psychiatric Nurse with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).
• Diploma in Nursing or Psychiatric Nursing plus two (2) years’ recent related experience working with individuals with severe and persistent psychiatric illness or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Valid BC Driver’s license and local area travel may require the use of a vehicle, as required.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of a client and family centered recovery model in mental illness.
• Knowledge of concurrent disorders.
• Knowledge of Psychosocial Rehabilitation methodology.
• Knowledge of the Mental Health Act as it applies to the rights and obligations of clients and staff.
• Knowledge of community, social and mental health resources.
• Ability to identify emotional, social, or environmental barriers and intervene to eliminate stigma.
• Ability to effectively manage conflict situations and aggressive behaviour and use non-violent crisis intervention and behavioural management techniques.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing with clients, families, team members, other groups and community agency personnel.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care.
• Demonstrated ability in nursing practice related to assessment of behaviour and to assisting clients to regain or improve their coping abilities, and to prevent further disability.
• Demonstrated skill in CPR techniques.
• Basic computer literacy to operate a computerized client care information system and word processing, spreadsheet, Internet and e-mail software.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated ability to lead and co-lead group sessions.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and implement care plans.
• Demonstrated ability to assess client responses to care, and to respond appropriately.
• Demonstrated ability to adjust to unexpected events, problem-solve and set priorities.
• 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 work collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated ability to counsel and teach clients and their families.
• Demonstrated ability to model and mentor new staff and students.
• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership through initiative and independence.
• Demonstrated skill in clinical techniques and the use of applicable equipment and supplies.
• Demonstrated physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized direct nursing care and brokerage services to clients with severe and persistent mental illness, concurrent disorders and/or dementia.
• Perform the full range of clinical practice and client-centered rehabilitation programs.
• Work independently and as a member of a team.
• Enhance quality of life from the perspective of the client/family.
• Perform physical and psychosocial rehabilitation assessments.
• Consult, confer and collaborate with other health care givers and family members to develop, implement, evaluate and modify individualized strength-based treatment plans.
• Establish, maintain and enhance therapeutic relationships based on respect.
• Administer prescribed medicines, monitor client response.
• Demonstrate and provide ongoing information to the client/family on activities of daily living, use of medication and side-effects and integration of illness to their lifestyle.
• Prepare and maintain client records according to established standards.
• Participate in team meetings, engage in team planning and quality improvement activities.
• Maintain and update own knowledge.
• Practice within the context of a client and family centred care model and in accordance with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) standards of practice and Code of Ethics.
• Practice within the scope of practice as set by the organization, as per VCH policies and guidelines/clinical practice documents and within own competence.
• Lead and co-lead group sessions.
• Plan and implement care plans.
• Assess client responses to care, and respond appropriately.
• Adjust to unexpected events, problem-solve and set priorities.
• Participate in the development and delivery of educational programs and materials for clients and families.
• Counsel and teach clients and their families.
• Model and mentor new staff and students.
• Provide leadership through initiative and independence.
• Perform clinical techniques and use applicable equipment and supplies.
• Perform CPR techniques.
• Perform duties of the position, demonstrating physical ability.
• Operate a computerized client care information system and word processing, spreadsheet, Internet and e-mail software.

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
• Education Level: Associate degree