Indigenous Liaison Nurse (RN/RPN)

Vancouver Island Health Authority; Nanaimo; On-site; CAD 56,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

Vancouver Island Health Authority (Island Health) seeks a Registered Nurse/Registered Psychiatric Nurse to provide nursing care for Indigenous clients in community and hospital settings. You will conduct assessments, manage cases, teach health concepts, and collaborate within a multidisciplinary team to promote client self-care and independence. Travel between multiple sites may be required.

Planned start date: Aug. 31, 2026.

Qualifications

• Registration with BC College of Nurses and Midwives as a practicing RN/RPN registrant.
• Valid BC Driver's License.
• Knowledge of Indigenous health and culturally safe care.
• Experience in Community Health & Long Term Care Services is preferred.
• Ability to collaborate within a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, implement and evaluate nursing care for Indigenous clients in community and hospital settings.
• Assess, perform case management, and provide health teaching to clients.
• Liaise with multidisciplinary team to support client self-care and independence.
• Maintain documentation and adapt to program changes as required.

Skills

Nursing process

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Communication

Culturally safe care

Indigenous health knowledge

Education

Registration with BC College of Nurses and Midwives as RN/RPN

Valid BC Driver's License

Job description

Work Area (FBA Only)

Multi-Site

No

Travel Requirement

Travel between multiple sites may be required

Shift Start Time/End Time

As required

Days Off

As required

Vacancy Type

Casual

Salary Range (Hourly Rate)

$41.42 - $59.52

Paid FTE

N/A

Worked BI-WEEKLY HOURS

N/A

Planned Start Date

Aug. 31 2026

Approximate End Date (For Temporary Assignments ONLY)

Pending Return of Incumbent

No

CRC required? (employee will be working with or have access to children or vulnerable adults and requires a Criminal Record Check)

Required for Professional Registration

Job Description

In accordance with the Vision, Purpose, and Values, and strategic direction of the Vancouver Island Health Authority (Island Health), patient & staff safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at VIHA; as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

Under the direction of the Manager, Indigenous Health, plans, organizes, implements and evaluates nursing care for Indigenous clients with chronic, acute, palliative, rehabilitative and/or mental health and addictions health care needs in community and hospital settings. Nursing care includes assessments, case management, health teaching to clients, support, consultation, liaison and referral while functioning as a member of a multidisciplinary team. The incumbent ensures that client self-care and independence is maintained, and participates in the administration of all Acts and regulations applicable to nursing functions.

Travel may be a requirement of this position. Transportation arrangements must meet the operational requirements of Island Health in accordance with the service assignment and may require the use of a personal vehicle.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education, Training And Experience

• Registration with BC College of Nurses and Midwives as a practicing RN/RPN registrant.
• Valid BC Driver's License.
• Demonstrate basic knowledge of Community Health & Long Term Care Services within respective geography available for Indigenous clients;
• Knowledge of the significance of culture in relation to individual, family and community health services;
• Demonstrate a basic knowledge of health and wellness services available on Vancouver Island for Indigenous patients (First Nation, Métis, Inuit);
• Demonstrates an understanding of Canadian colonization, Indigenous specific racism and its impact on the current health and wellness of Indigenous peoples;
• Knowledge of Indigenous Identify groups in Canada and the significance of place of residence for Indigenous individuals in relation to access to health programs and services;
• Knowledge of the significance to provision of culturally safe health care engagements and environments for Indigenous peoples;
• Experience with Indigenous course work and education.
• A minimum of two years of experience working within and with Indigenous communities.
• An equivalent combination of training and experience may be considered.

Skills And Abilities

• Ability to use the nursing process, teaching skills and knowledge of community resources.
• Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team.
• Ability to use sound professional judgment, empathy, tact and integrity.
• Ability to prioritize workload, keep accurate records and write reports.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing and establish work relationships with staff, public and groups.
• Ability to adapt and accept change as the program evolves.
• Ability to deliver culturally sensitive services to Indigenous populations.
• Ability to utilize independence and initiative to plan and organize work and establish priorities.

We are committed to reconciliation and Indigenous leadership in health care. This position is open to all qualified applicants, with preference given to qualified First Nations, Inuit, and Métis candidates. We value lived experience and encourage applicants to share how their experience contributes to our shared purpose of improving health outcomes through culturally safe leadership.A first in Canada: minimum Nurse to Patient Ratios (mNPRs) are here in BC! Island Health, alongside BC's other health authorities, is implementing mNPRs as a transformative staffing initiative that aims to improve the working environment of nurses in order to provide better quality care to our patients.

Additional Clauses

Priority access will be given to Indigenous (First Nations, Métis and/or Inuit) candidates.