Mental Health Consultant (Registered Nurse)

University of Alberta; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Alberta is seeking a Mental Health Consultant to join Counselling & Clinical Services (CCS) on a term basis. You will provide initial 30–40 minute consultations, assess risk, build collaborative care plans, and connect students to appropriate services within CCS and the wider community.

You will work with psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, doctoral residents, and practicum students in a multidisciplinary team, contributing to outreach and psychoeducational workshops

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing or Psychiatric Nursing is required.
• Active, unconditional registration with CARNA or CRPNA is required.
• Current BLS certification is required.
• Five years’ recent mental health experience with three years community mental health preferred.
• Experience in assessment and treatment of psychiatric disorders and mental health issues.
• Knowledge of risk assessment, suicide/crisis management, and de-escalation.
• Knowledge of psychotropic medications and their use.
• Experience developing client care plans.
• Experience in an interdisciplinary clinical environment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with stakeholders.
• Knowledge of health privacy legislation (HIA, POPA) and documentation standards.

Responsibilities

• Conduct initial consultations to assess and triage students seeking mental health services.
• Develop care plans and match to appropriate step of care (workshops, groups, therapy, psychiatry, referrals).
• Provide bridge counselling and continuity of care for CCS clients.
• Screen and triage referrals, manage waitlist priority, and coordinate bookings with the admin team.
• Maintain client records per legislation, university and CCS policy.
• Coordinate and chair weekly case consultation meetings.
• Participate in campus outreach and psychoeducational workshops.
• Assist with development, implementation and evaluation of new services.
• Perform additional duties as required by the Director.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Risk assessment

Crisis management

De-escalation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Nursing or Psychiatric Nursing

Active, unconditional registration with CARNA or CRPNA

Current BLS certification

Tools

BLS certification

Job description

Job Description

This competition is open to all applicants however; internal applicants will be given priority consideration based on minimum qualifications, or a combination of experience, skills, and abilities before external applicants are considered.

Job Description

This competition is open to all applicants however; internal applicants will be given priority consideration based on minimum qualifications, or a combination of experience, skills, and abilities before external applicants are considered.

This position has a term length of 18 months.

Location

This role is in-person. Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Edmonton.

Counselling & Clinical Services (CCS) is an evidence-based clinic with a strong team culture, built on regular case consultation and a shared commitment to student care.

Reporting to the Director of CCS, the Mental Health Consultant is the first clinical contact for many of the students seeking mental health support within our stepped care model. You will provide 30-40 minute initial consultations, assessing each student’s needs, level of risk, and readiness for care, and building a collaborative care plan that connects them to the right level of service. The role calls for sound clinical judgment, brief and focused assessment skills, and a strong working knowledge of options within the clinic and across the wider community. You’ll join two other Mental Health Consultants within a multidisciplinary team of psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, doctoral residents, and master’s practicum students.

Beyond direct clinical work, the role includes contributing to other mental health programming such as outreach activities and psychoeducational workshops.

Responsibilities

• Conduct initial consultations to assess, support and triage students seeking mental health services, including review of intake forms and assessment of presenting concerns, mental health history, functioning and risk.
• Develop care plans with each student and match them to the most appropriate step of care, which could include workshops, groups, therapy or psychiatry within CCS, or to campus and community referrals.
• Provide bridge counselling and maintain continuity of care for ongoing CCS clients.
• Support CCS Psychiatry services by screening and triaging referrals, managing waitlist priority, communicating with referral sources, guiding the administrative team on bookings, and triaging internal referrals from psychiatry to psychology.
• Maintain client records in accordance with appropriate legislation, University of Alberta and CCS policy, and professional college guidelines.
• Coordinate and chair weekly case consultation meetings with other mental health consultants.
• Participate in outreach activities across the campus community to support mental health, including consultations, collaboration and education.
• Develop and deliver psychoeducational workshops.
• Assist with development, implementation and evaluation of new services as required.
• Additional duties as required by the Director.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing or Psychiatric Nursing.
• Active, unconditional registration in good standing with CARNA or CRPNA required.
• Current BLS certification required.
• Five (5) years’ recent related mental health experience with three (3) years of community mental health experience preferred.
• Experience in the assessment and treatment of clients and patients who present with psychiatric disorders, psychological concerns, and other mental health issues.
• Effective knowledge and skill in risk assessment, suicide/crisis management, and de-escalation.
• Knowledge of and/or experience with psychotropic medications and their use in treating mental health disorders.
• Experience with the development of client care plans.
• Experience working within an interdisciplinary clinical environment.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work well with a range of community stakeholders and service providers.
• Knowledge of health privacy legislation (HIA, POPA) and professional documentation standards.

About Us

The University of Alberta, its buildings, labs and research stations are primarily located on the territory of Néhiyaw (Cree), Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), Métis, Nakoda (Stoney), Dene, Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and Anishinaabe (Ojibway/Saulteaux), lands that are now known as part of Treaties 6, 7 and 8 and homeland of the Métis. The University of Alberta respects the sovereignty, lands, histories, languages, knowledge systems and cultures of all First Nations, Métis, and Inuit.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people - from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.

All University employees have a responsibility to foster a workplace that prioritizes safety in all its forms - physical, cultural, and psychological. This is achieved by promoting a safe environment, adhering to all safety laws, policies and procedures, completing all required safety training, identifying hazards and implementing controls, reporting incidents, and contributing to a culture of belonging and respect, while endeavoring to ensure that all colleagues feel valued and safe to express their thoughts, perspectives and concerns.

The University of Alberta is committed to creating a university community where everyone feels valued, barriers to success are removed, and thriving connections are fostered. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women, First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons, members of visible minority groups, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.

L’Université de l’Alberta s’engage à créer une communauté universitaire où chaque personne se sent valorisée, où les obstacles à la réussite sont éliminés et où des connexions enrichissantes peuvent se développer. Nous accueillons les demandes de toutes les personnes qualifiées. Nous encourageons les femmes; Premières nations, Métis et Inuits; membres des groupes minoritaires visibles; personnes handicapées; personnes de toute orientation sexuelle ou identité et expression de genre; et toutes les personnes qui peuvent contribuer à la diversification des idées et à l'université à postuler.

About The Team

Student Success and Experience (formerly Office of the Dean of Students) holds student support at the heart of everything we do. We provide services focused on student well-being and flourishing both in the classroom and beyond. We offer a wide range of services, including career guidance, health and wellness resources, academic support, and assistance for students facing unexpected challenges or personal difficulties. We also work closely with faculty and staff across campus to ensure students receive coordinated support when they need it most.