MHAS Nurse RN/RPN - Intake

Vancouver Island Health Authority; Victoria; On-site; Full time

Job summary

An established healthcare provider is seeking a dedicated Mental Health and Addictions Nurse to join their inter-professional care team. This role involves providing essential intake services, advanced nursing assessments, and treatment for clients facing mental health and substance use issues. With a focus on harm reduction and culturally safe practices, the successful candidate will engage in collaborative care, ensuring that clients receive comprehensive support tailored to their needs. This position offers the opportunity to make a significant impact in the community while working within a dynamic and supportive environment. If you're passionate about mental health and are ready to contribute to positive change, this role is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse or Registered Psychiatric Nurse with relevant experience.
• Knowledge of mental health and addiction issues, and applicable legislation.

Responsibilities

• Provide central intake, advanced nursing assessments, and referrals.
• Work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team to support clients.

Skills

Nursing Process Application

Interpersonal Skills

Organizational Skills

Problem-Solving Skills

Client Assessment Skills

Effective Communication

Team Collaboration

Teaching Skills

Prioritization Skills

Computer Proficiency

Education

Registration with BC College of Nurses and Midwives

Post-Basic Education in Psychiatric Nursing

Tools

Windows-Based Software

Job description

Work Area (FBA Only): Multi-Site

Travel Requirement: Travel between multiple sites may be required

Shift Start Time/End Time: 08:30 - 20:30

Days Off: Rotating

Vacancy Type: Regular FT

Salary Range (Hourly Rate): $41.42 - $59.52

Paid FTE: 1.0

Worked BI-WEEKLY HOURS: 75

Planned Start Date: Jan. 6 2025

Approximate End Date (For Temporary Assignments ONLY): Pending Return of Incumbent

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 Island Health (Vancouver Island Health Authority), patient and staff safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone; as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

Reports to the Clinical Coordinator or designate. Works within the organization's framework and standards, and a rehabilitation/recovery focused model. As a member of an inter-professional care team, the Mental Health and Addictions Nurse - Intake provides central intake, advanced nursing and clinical assessments, intervention, treatment, and referral for clients experiencing mental health and alcohol & drug addiction problems and their caregivers/families. Liaises with general practitioners, psychiatrists, in-patient units, community mental health services, and other healthcare providers and agencies to provide services that are continuous in all phases of mental health, alcohol and drug addiction, and concurrent disorders care and support. Travel may be a requirement of this position. Transportation arrangements must meet the operational requirements of the Vancouver Island Health Authority 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 registrant or a practicing RPN registrant. Recognized post-basic education related to psychiatric nursing and/or mental illness; Two (2) years recent related experience; A significant understanding of mental health and/or alcohol and drug use issues; Knowledge of applicable legislation, such as the Mental Health Act and the Guardianship Act; Knowledge of available programs, their interrelationships, and their function in delivering care in the community to persons with mental illnesses; Knowledge of mental health and/or alcohol and drug use assessments, treatment methodologies, intervention strategies, the change process, and community dynamics; or An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Valid BC Driver's License.

Skills And Abilities

• Ability to apply nursing process as required and described in BC College of Nurses and Midwives Standards of Nursing Practice.
• Demonstrate competence congruent within the organization's framework and standards, and a rehabilitation/recovery focused model, as a member of an inter-professional care team, in the care and treatment of concurrent disorders.
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated organizational, problem-solving, and teaching skills.
• Demonstrated judgment, good observation and client assessment skills, tact, and empathy.
• Work collaboratively as part of an inter-professional team.
• Promote positive change and independence.
• Prioritize and organize workload.
• Ability to carry out the duties of the position.
• Operate a personal computer with a variety of windows-based software.

These two nursing positions will be part of the newly developing Access Central and Virtual Substance Use Services—a regional service serving the entire Island Health Region. Initially, the positions will be based at a central location in Victoria for orientation and training purposes, following an M-F day schedule and providing in-person services to clients. Once the program launches, the positions will transition to a to-be-determined (TBD) South Island location on a rotation schedule with extended hours. The successful applicants will have significant experience in substance use and will work from a harm-reduction, culturally safe, and stigma-free approach. These roles are part of a multidisciplinary team and involve general mental health and substance use (MHSU) assessments with a specific focus on substance use. Responsibilities include assessing and responding to risks, providing client education, monitoring medications and their side effects, and supporting clients in accessing related services to achieve their personal health goals. Strong knowledge of alcohol use disorder, opioid use disorder, anti-craving medications, and opioid agonist therapies is preferred.

Additional Clauses

BCNU: PLEASE NOTE: THIS POSITION WILL BE POSTED FOR 72 HOURS. NOTE CLOSING DATE. Recent negotiations with the Nurses Bargaining Association (NBA) have resulted in changes to the hiring language in the Collective Agreement (Article 18.01- First Consideration). The internal application process for nurse postings has been changed to ensure that you are aware of the need to provide the following relevant information with your application (within your Cover Letter and/or Resume).

1. Qualifications (Education & Experience): Please list how you meet the qualification requirements as noted in the job posting.
2. Qualifications (Skills & Abilities): Please explain how you meet each of the critical unit-specific skills and abilities to work successfully in this position on this unit. Refer to the Job Posting for Skills & Abilities.

The change to the application process will help managers determine if internal applicants meet education and experience qualifications, and have the necessary unit skills and abilities contained in the job description.