Team Lead (RN/RPN)

Vancouver Island Health Authority; Parksville; On-site; CAD 68,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

Vancouver Island Health Authority is seeking a Nurse Team Lead for the Oceanside Substance Use Integrated Team (SUIT) in the Parksville area. You will lead a multi-disciplinary team, oversee outreach services, and promote harm-reduction approaches to care for clients seeking help with substance use.

The role requires nursing registration, leadership experience, and the ability to coordinate with community partners across sites.

Qualifications

• Graduation from a recognized nursing program or related health discipline.
• Advanced Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing or CNA certification preferred for specialty.
• Registration with BC College of Nurses and Midwives as RN or RPN required.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations of the SUIT team and coordinate services.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary staff and external organizations for client transitions.
• Provide outreach support and harm-reduction oriented care.
• Contribute to policy development and clinical standards for patient care.

Skills

Leadership

Case management

Harm reduction

Communication

Teamwork

Workload management

Independent work

Teaching/education

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Quality improvement

Education

Nursing degree or related health discipline

Advanced Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing

CNA certification (specialty)

BC College of Nurses and Midwives registration

Job description

Work Area (FBA Only)

Multi-Site

No

Travel Requirement

Travel between multiple sites may be required

Shift Start Time/End Time

0830-1630

Days Off

Vacancy Type

Temp FT

Salary Range (Hourly Rate)

$49.20 - $67.08

Paid FTE

1

Worked BI-WEEKLY HOURS

75

Planned Start Date

Aug. 10 2026

Approximate End Date (For Temporary Assignments ONLY)

Jul. 9 2027

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 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.

Reporting to the Manager or designate, the Team Lead provides leadership in the day to day operations in accordance with the Vision and Mission statements of Island Health Participates in developing, implementing, and evaluating services, and ensures services are reflective of the Mental Health and Substance Use vision and mission including a harm reduction philosophy.

Acts as the communication liaison between members of the multi-disciplinary team, emergency health services, as well as other community organizations outside the team, assertively developing cross-service relationships and partnerships to ensure effective transition of clients. Demonstrates a harm reduction approach to care, ensuring assessment, brief interventions, treatment, rehabilitation/recovery, outreach, and service navigational supports are provided in alignment with the philosophical foundations of the provincial Standards and Guidelines.

Provides leadership to the multidisciplinary team and functions as a role model and coach to assist staff with professional development and achievement of unit/service goals Takes a long-range view of operations and patient/client/resident service delivery and follows through on issues that impact on the overall quality of patient/client/resident care provided. Participates in developing policies and procedures/ standards for operationalizing client care within a community-based outreach environment. Contributes to the monitoring and development of the operating plan. Provides leadership within the service for quality and risk management activities. Engages in program and community development when appropriate and as directed.

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

Graduation from a recognized nursing program or a related health discipline, or Advanced Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing, or Diploma with Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) certification for specialty and/or service area or an equivalent combination of 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 three years of recent related experience in MHSU clinical services and at least 1 year of leadership experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Valid BC Driver's License.

Skills And Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of the current theories, technologies, legislation and practices in the area of Intensive Case Management, mental health and the criminal justice system;
• Demonstrated knowledge of the characteristics and issues involved in the care of people with serious addictions and substance use, mental illness, aggressive behaviours, who may also be homeless;
• Understanding and practical experience in harm reduction practices.
• Demonstrated knowledge of program management principles, leadership skills, and collaborative practice principles;
• Demonstrated knowledge of the community service systems found South Island and experience operating from a multi-organizational service delivery perspective.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles of adult education in general and functional rehabilitation in particular;
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing;
• Ability to work as a member of an interdisciplinary, inter agency team;
• Ability to organize workload and set priorities;
• Ability to work independently in challenging environments;
• Ability to plan, organize and evaluate patient/client/resident care;
• Ability to assess learning needs of people throughout the life cycle;
• Ability to teach using adult education principles;
• Ability to deal effectively with a variety of internal and external contacts including co-workers, physicians, community agencies, representatives, patients/clients/residents and families.

This is a full-time temporary Nurse Team Lead position with the Oceanside Substance Use Integrated Team (SUIT).Temporary through July 2027 or until the return of the incumbent.The Oceanside Substance Use Integrated Team (SUIT) offers compassionate, community-based outreach support for individuals who are voluntarily seeking help with their substance use.We operate using a shared care model, bringing together a dedicated team of nurses, clinicians, support workers, and a peer support worker to provide holistic, person-centered care. The successful candidate will have experience with both leadership and providing outreach support to clients seeking help with their substance use.Use of a personal vehicle for the transportation of patients is an ongoing requirement for this position.A first in Canada: minimum Nurse to Patient Ratios (mNPRs) are herein BC! Island Health, alongside BC'sother health authorities, is implementing mNPRsas a transformative staffing initiative that aims to improve the working environment of nurses in order to provide better quality care to our patients.