Psychiatric Emergency Care 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 Psychiatric Emergency Care Nurse (RN/RPN) to provide crisis intervention and stabilization in the Psychiatric Emergency Services Unit. You will assess patients, participate in care planning, and coordinate referrals with families and community services.

Position is multi-site, temporary full-time, with rotating shifts and 75 bi-weekly hours. Strong collaboration with an interdisciplinary team and commitment to safety are essential.

Qualifications

• Registration with BC College of Nurses and Midwives as RN/RPN.
• A minimum of two (2) years recent experience in acute mental illness and/or addiction.
• Current CPR Basic Rescuer certification.

Responsibilities

• Respond to crisis/emergency situations in the Psychiatric Emergency Services Unit.
• Conduct comprehensive psychiatric and medical assessments and risk assessments.
• Develop and contribute to patient care, referral, and discharge plans with patients, families, and community services.

Skills

Assessment of physical status

Assessment of mental status

Crisis intervention

Screening tools for mental illness

Communication skills

Therapeutic relationships

Time management

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Use of clinical software

Physical capability

Education

RN/RPN registration with BC CNB

Minimum 2 years acute mental health/addiction experience

CPR Basic Rescuer

Tools

Electronic health records

Job description

Psychiatric Emergency Care Nurse (RN/RPN) - (234975)

Work Area (FBA Only)

Multi-Site

No

Travel Requirement

Shift Start Time/End Time

0700-1905 / 1900-0705

Days Off

Rotating

Vacancy Type

Temp FT

Salary Range (Hourly Rate)

$41.42 - $59.52

Paid FTE

1

Worked BI-WEEKLY HOURS

75

Planned Start Date

Oct. 11 2026

Approximate End Date (For Temporary Assignments ONLY)

Feb. 29 2028

Pending Return of Incumbent

Yes

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 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 Coordinator or designate and functions as part of an interdisciplinary team to deliver psychiatric emergency services, crisis intervention and stabilization care in accordance with the unit/program philosophy, competency guidelines and the BC College of Nurses and Midwives Standards of Nursing Practice. The nurse is responsible for responding to crisis/emergency situations of patient/clients in the Psychiatric Emergency Services Unit, Using a crisis intervention model, the nurse will conduct a comprehensive psychiatric and medical assessment of the patient/client and an in-depth risk assessment. Working within a multidisciplinary team, the nurse will contribute to the patient care plan, referral and/or discharge plan in partnership with patient, caregiver/family and appropriate community services.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education, Training And Experience

Registration with BC College of Nurses and Midwives as a practicing RN registrant or a practicing RPN registrant. A minimum of two (2) years recent experience working with persons with acute mental illness and/or addiction, including working with multi-disciplinary teams, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Working knowledge of relevant legislation. Knowledge of the Canadian Standards of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing (2nd ed.). Current CPR Basic Rescuer certification.

Skills And Abilities

• Ability to conduct assessments of physical status, mental status and risk assessment.
• Ability to apply addictions theory and management of withdrawal
• Ability to apply crisis intervention and stabilization principles
• Ability to apply common screening tools for mental illness and addictions
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Demonstrated ability in establishing therapeutic relationships
• Demonstrated ability to organize assigned workload and set priorities
• Demonstrated ability to deal effectively with a variety of internal and external contacts, including co-workers, physicians, community agency representatives, patient/clients, and families/ significant others
• Ability to operate related equipment including computers and related software
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position

A first in Canada: minimum Nurse to Patient Ratios (mNPRs) are here in BC! Island Health, alongside BC's other health authorities, is implementingmNPRsas a transformative staffing initiative that aims to improve the working environment of nurses in order to provide better quality care to our patients.