Mental Health and Substance Use Nurse (RN/RPN) - Access and Assessment Center (AAC)

Vancouver Coastal Health; Vancouver; On-site; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading healthcare provider as a Mental Health and Substance Use Nurse. You'll provide essential care and support to clients facing mental health challenges, working within a collaborative team to enhance patient well-being and recovery. This role offers a chance to make a significant impact in the community while benefiting from comprehensive health plans and career development opportunities.

Benefits

Comprehensive health plans

Career development

Wellness supports

Recognition programs

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse or Psychiatric Nurse registration required.
• 240 hours of clinical practicum in mental health setting.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized nursing care and case coordination.
• Collaborate with healthcare providers to develop treatment plans.
• Administer medications and monitor client responses.

Skills

Knowledge of concurrent disorders

Assessment and intervention

Crisis interventions

Conflict resolution

Education

Current registration as a Registered Nurse or Registered Psychiatric Nurse

Minimum 6 weeks clinical practicum in a mental health setting

Job description

Salary Details

The salary range for this position is CAD $41.42/Hr. - CAD $55.91/Hr.

Job Summary

Come work as a Mental Health and Substance Use Nurse with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)! Vancouver Coastal Health is looking for a Mental Health and Substance Use Nurse (RN/RPN) to join the Access and Assessment Center team at Vancouver General Hospital in Vancouver, BC. Apply today to join our team!

About the Access and Assessment Centre (AAC):

The AAC provides a range of Mental Health & Substance Use (MHSU) services for City of Vancouver residents (ages 17+) for non-urgent, urgent, and non-emergent intervention. AAC is the central point of access for all referrals for VCH Community MHSU Services in Vancouver. Services include referral intake, on-site assessment, crisis intervention, and short-term treatment. The goal is to connect individuals to the right services and resources at the right time, striving to provide low-barrier, client-centered care and support.

As a Mental Health and Substance Use Nurse, you will:

• Provide individualized direct nursing care, discharge planning, and case coordination services to clients with severe and persistent mental illness, concurrent disorders, and/or dementia, responsible for clinical practice and client-centered rehabilitation programs, working independently and as part of a team.
• Enhance quality of life from the perspective of the client and their family.
• Perform physical and psychosocial rehabilitation assessments.
• Collaborate with other healthcare providers and family members to develop, implement, evaluate, and modify treatment plans.
• Establish and maintain therapeutic relationships based on respect.
• Administer prescribed medications, monitor responses, and provide ongoing education to clients and families about daily activities, medication use, side effects, and illness management.
• Maintain accurate client records, participate in team meetings, and engage in quality improvement activities.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Current registration as a Registered Nurse or Registered Psychiatric Nurse with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).
• Minimum 6 weeks or 240 hours of clinical practicum/preceptorship in a mental health setting, supplemented by coursework or equivalent education, training, or experience.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of concurrent disorders, substance use, harm reduction strategies, assessment, and intervention.
• Understanding of psychiatric care models including person and family-centered care, trauma-informed care, recovery models, and psychosocial rehabilitation.
• Knowledge of the Mental Health Act and community, social, and mental health resources.
• Ability to conduct nursing assessments, facilitate group processes, resolve conflicts, and perform crisis interventions.
• Skill in planning and implementing care, documenting care accurately, and managing conflict and aggressive behaviors using non-violent techniques.
• Ability to mentor staff and students, and perform autonomous scope of practice.

Closing Statement

Work hours and work areas may change based on operational needs. All healthcare workers in publicly-funded facilities are required to report certain vaccinations or infections for safety and outbreak management. New hires will need to provide this information during onboarding.

Why Join Vancouver Coastal Health?

VCH is a leading innovator in healthcare, research, and education, serving over one million BC residents. We foster a culture of innovation, teamwork, and community impact. Benefits include comprehensive health plans, career development, wellness supports, and recognition programs.

We value diversity and inclusivity, encouraging applications from Indigenous Peoples, racialized groups, people with disabilities, and all gender identities and orientations. Vancouver Coastal Health was recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers in 2024.

Note: Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Employees of VCH should apply via the Internal Career Portal on CareerHub. External applicants should refer to this site for application instructions.