Mental Health Crisis Nurse (RN/RPN) - (213954)

Island Health; Victoria; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Mental Health Crisis Nurse to provide vital clinical services for children and youth facing mental health crises. This role involves conducting thorough assessments, developing therapeutic care plans, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive care. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication skills, the ability to work effectively under pressure, and a commitment to patient safety and quality care. Join a team that values continuous improvement and offers a supportive environment for professional growth and development.

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years experience with children and youth in mental health.
• Competency in Canadian Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing Practice.

Responsibilities

• Provide mental health clinical services for children and youth in crisis.
• Conduct assessments and develop therapeutic care plans.

Skills

Psychiatric Assessments

Crisis Intervention

Communication Skills

De-escalation Skills

Organizational Skills

Team Collaboration

Education

Registration with BC College of Nurses and Midwives

Canadian Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Certificate

Tools

Electronic Health Records

Job description

Job Description: Mental Health Crisis Nurse

In accordance with the Vision, Purpose, and Values, and strategic direction of Island Health (Vancouver Island Health Authority), patient and staff safety is a priority and a shared responsibility. Continuous quality and safety improvements are inherent in this role.

Under the supervision of the Program Coordinator or designate, and collaborating with other healthcare professionals, both internal and external, the Mental Health Crisis Nurse provides direct and indirect mental health clinical services for children and youth experiencing a mental health crisis or acute psychiatric illness. This includes cases presenting at the Emergency Room (ER), Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES), or those admitted to the Inpatient Unit. Responsibilities include trauma-informed mental status and substance use assessments, crisis stabilization and triage, development and implementation of therapeutic care plans, case management, discharge planning, psycho-education, family support, and comprehensive documentation.

The nurse also screens referrals, gathers collateral information, arranges appointments with child and youth psychiatrists for urgent consultations, and makes recommendations for further treatment planning, referrals, and liaising with related service providers.

Qualifications: Education, Training, and Experience

• Registration with BC College of Nurses and Midwives as a practicing RN or RPN.
• Competency as outlined in Canadian Standards of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing Practice (2nd Edition).
• Minimum of two (2) years recent experience working with children and youth with acute mental illness in a multidisciplinary team setting; crisis or emergency mental health experience is an asset.
• Recent training in Non Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) or equivalent and current CPR certification.
• Canadian Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse (Certificate) (CPMHN{C}) is an asset.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to conduct age-appropriate psychiatric assessments, including risk assessments.
• Knowledge of DSM IV diagnoses, substance use concerns, and related treatments, including Opioid Agonist Treatment, the Infants Act, Mental Health Act, and the Child, Family and Community Service Act.
• Experience in suicide prevention and crisis intervention.
• De-escalation skills with hostile or aggressive clients.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure in high-acuity situations.
• Establishing therapeutic relationships.
• Effective communication with co-workers, physicians, community agencies, patients, and families.
• Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong communication skills, including active listening, problem-solving, respectful limit setting, and reframing.
• Effective written communication skills.
• Organizational skills to manage workload and priorities.
• Physical ability to perform duties.
• Proficiency in typing and computer skills for electronic health records.

For more details, see the full job posting: https://jd.viha.ca/JD993.pdf