Registered Nurse (RN) / Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RN/RPN), Nanaimo Correctional Centre (NCC[...]

Provincial Health Services Authority; Nanaimo; On-site; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Nanaimo seeks a Mental Health and Substance Use Nurse (RN/RPN) to deliver compassionate care in a correctional setting. The role involves providing direct care, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, and addressing complex health issues. Join a supportive environment focused on Indigenous Cultural Safety and equity in healthcare.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Professional development opportunities

Flexible work options

Annual statutory holidays

Qualifications

• Two years’ recent experience in acute or community health nursing.
• Knowledge of the BC Mental Health Act and community resources.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct mental health and substance use care to clients.
• Collaborate with other health care professionals and community services.
• Document client progress and maintain accurate records.

Skills

Cultural Safety

Trauma-informed Practice

Counseling

Collaboration

Education

Registered Nurse

Registered Psychiatric Nurse

Job description

Mental Health and Substance Use Nurse (RN/RPN)

BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services
Nanaimo, BC

You are a Registered Nurse or Registered Psychiatric Nurse who practices with compassion and care, in a non-judgmental manner. You’re seeking a meaningful role that provides challenge, variety, and the opportunity to make an impact on others’ lives. As a team player, you appreciate your interdisciplinary team members and enjoy collaborating on complex care issues, using trauma- and violence-informed practice, harm reduction, and Indigenous Cultural safety.

Correctional Health Services (CHS) is a province-wide, specialized program providing care for clients who are incarcerated in one of BC’s 10 provincial correctional facilities. We believe everyone deserves a chance to access healthcare treatments and heal, and CHS offers a non-judgemental place to help make that happen. Check out what it means to be part of the CHS team HERE. Please indicate in your cover letter why you are interested in joining our team at Nanaimo Correctional Centre!

What You’ll Do

1. Provide direct mental health and substance use care to clients presenting with a wide variety and complexity of illnesses/diseases including communicable diseases, addictions, mental health and general health issues. Perform physical, addiction and psychiatric assessments, collect specimens, refer clients to the physician for further examination, administer prescribed treatments and medications according to protocols and make appropriate adjustments.
2. Observe, monitor, evaluate, assess and document client progress, symptoms, and behavioral changes and perform a variety of mental health and substance use interventions utilizing nursing skills and medical equipment including therapeutic interventions using a variety of modalities. Initiate and facilitate discharge planning; identify referrals to other health professionals.
3. Provide counselling, education and group programming support to clients using a trauma-informed, motivational and health promotion approach regarding mental health and substance use issues and concerns.
4. Work collaboratively with other health care professionals, clients, families and community in the identification and resolution of mental health and substance use issues, cultural and language barriers, ethical dilemmas and coordination and integration of care, and make referrals to other service providers as appropriate.
5. Maintain accurate computerized and paper records in accordance with established procedures and policies; prepare and maintain statistical information, correspondence, reports and other documentation. Document client/family perspectives and nursing observations.

Qualifications

What you bring

• Current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse or Registered Psychiatric Nurse with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).
• Two years’ recent experience providing acute or community health nursing care/services to clients with concurrent psychiatric and/or mental health and substance use disorders or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism and systemic racism on Indigenous Peoples within social and health contexts. This includes understanding how these factors contribute to current health disparities and barriers to care. Show a clear commitment to identifying, challenging, and eradicating Indigenous-specific racism and all forms of discrimination impacting equity-deserving groups within healthcare settings. This involves recognizing personal biases, institutional barriers, engaging in anti-racism education and training and advocating for systemic change.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments within BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services contexts found in foundational documents including the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, BC Human Rights Code, Anti-racism Data Act and how they intersect across the health care system.

Core Competencies

• Understanding of Indigenous-specific racism and broader systemic racism in the colonial health care structure, with demonstrated leadership in breaking down barriers and ensuring an environment of belonging. Embed Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility into all aspects of work. Create an environment where Indigenous patients feel respected, valued, and understood. Foster trust through respectful communication, active listening, and honoring the perspectives of equity-deserving peoples on health and wellness. Commit to ongoing education and training on Indigenous health issues, cultural safety, and DEI principles. Participate in workshops, cultural immersion experiences, and continuous professional development to stay informed and responsive to equity-deserving groups. Provide patient-centered care that respects Indigenous ways of knowing and healing, respects BIPOC experiences and world views ensuring that care plans are culturally relevant and holistic.
• Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler-colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (The Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.).

Skills & Knowledge

• Working knowledge of community health nursing theory including mental health and addictions, communicable diseases and practice within a client/family-centered approach.
• Working knowledge of BCCNM's Standards for Nursing Practice.
• Knowledge of the BC Mental Health Act, other facilities and community resources.
• Working knowledge of facilitation, mediation, and conflict resolution techniques. Demonstrated ability to adjust to new or unexpected events.
• Demonstrated case management, teaching/training, clinical support and consultation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
• Shows a commitment to ongoing learning about Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, and addressing racism broadly. Willingness to share learning experiences to foster a culture of motivation and inspiration among peers.
• Foundational knowledge of social, economic, and political realities of settler-colonialism and its impacts on Indigenous peoples and equity-deserving groups within social and health contexts. Understands social determinants of health and their impact on health outcomes. Committed to learning about and upholding legislative obligations outlined in foundational documents such as the TRC, IPS, Declaration Act, UNDRIP, and others.

What We Bring

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.

• Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the contribution of all employees.
• Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs, including +2,000 courses, such as our San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles.
• Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
• Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accrual.
• PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
• Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.

Job Details

• Job Type: Regular, Full-Time
• Wage: $41.42 - $59.52 per hour
• Location: 3945 Biggs Road, Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 5N3
• Hours of Work: Monday – Friday; 0800-1600
• Requisition #: 183779E

What We Do

BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services (BCMHSUS) cares for people with complex mental health and substance use challenges.

BCMHSUS program is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).

PHSA plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Cultivate partnerships – Serve with purpose.

PHSA and BCMHSUS are committed to employment equity, encouraging all qualified individuals to apply. We recognize that our ability to provide the best care for our diverse patient populations relies on a rich diversity of skills, knowledge, background and experience, and value a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment.

Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services

PHSA is committed to anti-racism and equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently excluded groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.

One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes ongoing commitments to Indigenous recruitment and employee experience as well as dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya’k̓ula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at [e-mail].

Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and exclusion faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and title of BC First Nations and self-determination of all First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. PHSA is mandated to uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents including the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study.