RN/RPN, Substance Use Services

Fraser Health; Surrey; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health care provider in the Metro Vancouver area is seeking a Registered Nurse/Registered Psychiatric Nurse to support clients in their substance use recovery journey. The ideal candidate will provide person-centered care, manage emergencies, and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams. The position requires registration with the BCCNM and relevant experience in addictions. Competitive salary, emphasizing a supportive work environment.

Qualifications

• Registration as a Registered Nurse and/or Registered Psychiatric Nurse with BCCNM.
• One year’s recent related experience in an addictions environment.
• Completion of approved addictions training.

Responsibilities

• Plan and provide direct nursing care to clients.
• Manage emergencies like drug overdose and heart attacks.
• Provide general and crisis counseling to clients.
• Maintain clinical records according to established guidelines.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Mental health assessment

Counseling skills

Psychopharmacology knowledge

Group facilitation

Education

Graduation from approved Nursing Program

Substance use certificate program

Job description

Salary

Salary The salary range for this position is CAD $41.42 - $59.52 / hour.

Job Summary

Curious to learn what it’s like to work here? Connect with us! We invite you to apply today and find out why employees recommend Fraser Health to their friends as an exceptional place to work.

We are committed to planetary health, we value diversity in the workforce and seek to maintain an environment of respect, caring and trust.

If you’re ready to join a team dedicated to providing care and support, apply now! Together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of individuals and families, empowering them on their journey to recovery.

Detailed Overview

In accordance with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) standards of practice and the Mission and Values of Fraser Health, and working collaboratively and in partnership with the interprofessional care team in the provision of person‑centered and recovery‑oriented care, the Registered Nurse/Registered Psychiatric Nurse provides and coordinates the delivery of nursing care services to clients experiencing problematic substance use, such as assessment, referrals, counselling, client and family teaching and follow‑up as required and health promotion activities. Demonstrates nursing expertise and provides clinical leadership in evidence‑based practice through direct care activities including nursing assessments, crisis intervention, treatment and group facilitation.

Responsibilities

1. Plan and provide direct nursing care to clients in compliance with standards of practice by performing activities such as reviewing client/family history, conducting physical/psychosocial assessments, developing a care plan specific for the client and collaborating with other members of the health care team to discuss and review the care plan.
2. Process physician or nurse practitioner orders through methods such as initiating unit standing orders, administering medications, carrying out treatments and monitoring and documenting the effects.
3. Manage emergencies including drug overdose, heart attack, assaultive behaviour and seizures through methods such as responding appropriately to the emergency and in accordance with established policies and procedures such as initiating CPR and/or alerting ambulance and/or police.
4. Consult and collaborate with interdisciplinary team members and other health care professionals/providers in the identification and resolution of a variety of client/family issues by participating in client care conferences, rounds and staff meetings and contributing information.
5. Provide general and crisis counselling to clients who present to the Emergency Department, IPU, and medical wards, including short‑term follow‑up in accordance with approved treatment plans authorized by the Physician, Nurse Practitioner or consulting psychiatrist. Teach clients and family members as required and/or other caregivers about illness prevention, health maintenance and health promotion strategies by assessing the learning needs of individuals, providing and explaining information, demonstrating procedures and use of equipment, checking the learners’ use of procedures, techniques and equipment, and evaluating the overall effectiveness of the selected teaching methods and outcomes of learning.
6. As assigned: demonstrate and articulate the responsibility of the authorized RN/RPN prescriber to the interprofessional team and when interacting with the client. Identify when client needs exceed RN/RPN scope of practice.
7. Participate in quality improvement and risk management activities such as identifying and reporting high‑risk situations, evaluating effect of changes in nursing practice, generating recommendations for alternative approaches to nursing practice, conducting safety audits and identifying needs for corrective action and changes to selected practices, procedures or protocols.
8. Act as a clinical resource/support person to client and family as required and nursing and health care professionals by explaining the theoretical rationale for nursing decisions and providing clinical consultation to Health Care Detox Workers. Participate in the training, orientation and continuing education of nursing staff and students through mentoring, preceptoring and role modeling.
9. Maintain clinical records through methods such as collecting and documenting information including electronic health care information regarding clients and their families, nursing observations, telephone communications, progress notes, interventions, themes worked on during interventions, teaching, care evaluations, patient outcomes and discharge summaries to ensure that client/family records are current and complete.
10. Perform intake functions, conduct mental health assessments, develop, implement, maintain and adjust comprehensive treatment plans based on client needs and best practices, administer prescribed medications, and monitor and assess client’s mental state, response to medications and efficacy of treatment plan to ensure optimum use of resources and to facilitate client‑centered care, as assigned.
11. Maintain a safe environment for clients, visitors and employees by adhering to established safety and emergency practices and procedures and reporting any risks and anomalies to the Client Care Coordinator.
12. Participate in program development and in the delivery of clinical services through methods such as actively participating in internal conferences and by participating in the development, implementation and evaluation of new or existing client program activities and treatment approaches.
13. Identify own learning needs/goals, review these with the Client Care Coordinator and engage in a variety of activities to meet these needs/goals.
14. Participate in the development, implementation and evaluation of policies/procedures and interpreting same to clients, other agencies and the public and referring unusual inquiries to Client Care Coordinator.
15. (If applicable) Plan, coordinate, and deliver educational sessions to clients and their family members, other service providers, and community agencies on topics such as detoxification, relapse prevention, stress management, wellness, self‑care, problem solving and coping skills. Facilitate group sessions utilizing psychodynamic, cognitive/behavioural, interpersonal, and supportive interventions in conjunction and consultation with other interdisciplinary team members.
16. (If applicable) Provide outreach nursing care to clients in their home setting or suitable alternative performing nursing functions such as assessing substance use/dependence, determining physical and mental status, monitoring withdrawal symptoms and evaluating response to medications administered. Formulate and explain plan of care to client/family or supportive care persons. Transport and/or accompany clients to physician appointments for assessment to determine suitability for program or to designated safe bed for withdrawal management support.
17. Perform other related duties as required.

Qualifications

Education, Training & Experience

• Graduation from an approved Nursing Program with current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse and/or Registered Psychiatric Nurse with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).
• Completion of approved addictions or substance use training, or substance use certificate program, and one year’s recent related experience working in an addictions environment with individuals with substance use disorders, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. May require: current approved Standard First Aid Certificate and current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certificate (CPR) level C. May require: skills and experience in facilitating psycho‑educational groups. May require: Valid Class 5 Driver's License and access to personal vehicle with appropriate insurance coverage. May require: eligible for completion of BC Provincial Opiate Addiction Treatment Support Program course and approved related preceptorship.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to complete initial and ongoing mental health and substance use client assessment and provide nursing care through appropriate/prescribed technical, therapeutic, safety type interventions including crisis intervention.
• Knowledge of mental illness and substance use treatment.
• Knowledge of psychopharmacology (indications and side‑effects).
• Knowledge of counselling and group facilitation skills.
• Knowledge of legislation and government policies and procedures that relate to mental health and substance use practices.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with clients, families/caregivers, the public, medical staff and members of the interprofessional care team.
• Ability to promote person‑centered care that demonstrates empathy for clients/families/caregivers, sensitivity to diverse cultures and preferences, including advocacy for special populations.
• Ability to educate clients and families/caregivers about topics essential to their health care and well‑being.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work.
• Ability to collaborate with and promote cooperation among members of the interprofessional care team.
• Ability to use factual information and basic principles and procedures to support nursing decisions and actions with relevant research‑based evidence/evidence‑informed practice.
• Ability to operate related equipment including relevant computer applications.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

About Fraser Health

Fraser Health is the heart of health care for over two million people in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley in British Columbia, Canada, on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the Coast Salish and Nlaka’pamux Nations and is home to 32 First Nations within the Fraser Salish region.

People – those we care for and those who care for them – are at the heart of everything we do. Our hospital and community‑based services are delivered by a team of 50,000+ staff, medical staff and volunteers.

We are committed to planetary health and value diversity in the workforce. We strive to maintain an environment of respect, caring and trust. Fraser Health’s hiring practices aspire to ensure all individuals are treated in an inclusive, equitable and culturally safe manner.

Together, we are the heart of health care.

IMPORTANT: Recruitment scam warning – Please be on alert for recruitment scams. We are aware of several scams targeting individuals by falsely claiming to represent Fraser Health. Always take precautions when sharing personal details with unverified sources. Please note that we will never ask for money or payment, nor ask you to download or install an app at any point during our recruitment process.