Mental Health and Substance Use Outreach Nurse

minimum Nurse to Patient Ratios (mNPRs)

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is proud to be part of the provincial implementation of minimum Nurse to Patient Ratios (mNPRs), an initiative aimed at enhancing nursing practice and strengthening quality of care across the health system. mNPRs set the minimum number of nurses providing care to patients on a given unit. In British Columbia, mNPRs are developed in partnership with the Ministry of Health, the BC Nurses’ Union (BCNU) and health organizations. Guided by our values: We Care for Everyone, We Are Always Learning and We Strive for Better Results, we remain committed to fostering quality practice and learning environments where nurses can grow and thrive.

Salary Details

The salary range for this position is CAD $41.42/Hr. - CAD $55.91/Hr.

Job Summary

Come work as a Mental Health and Addictions Outreach Nurse (RN/RPN) with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) on the Mobile Crisis De-Escalation Team in Vancouver, BC.

Within the context of a patient and family-centered framework and continuum-based care model and in accordance with established standards of professional practice and the vision, values and policies of the organization, works as a member of the designated community program to provide mobile crisis response and/or outreach services to individuals experiencing urgent and emergent mental health and/or substance use problems. Conducts initial screening and/or assessment as needed, to determine if the client requires, the provision of mobile crisis response, hospitalization and/or other community-based support. Assesses bio-psychosocial-spiritual needs; conducts safety and risk assessments and formulates initial clinical impression to determine the priority of care requirements and the appropriate services and resources. Provides crisis intervention and client care in the form of immediate screening and/or assessment, intervention, referral and support to clients in urgent situations as well as providing assessment and treatment once the crisis period has stabilized. Attends to anticipated/unanticipated client responses to care; initiates measures to stabilize the crisis/emergent situations and responds effectively to aggressive behaviour and/or self-harm. Provides the client/family/caregiver with education and support and develops the care plan with other key members of the interdisciplinary team. Communicates and collaborates with others within community and acute care to facilitate the movement of clients to appropriate services as needs develop or change.This work is framed within VCH’s commitments to our pillars of Indigenous Cultural Safety, Anti-Racism, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and Planetary Health.

About Mobile Crisis De-Escalation (MoDe):

MoDe provides non-police same day mental health and substance use crisis support to people ages 17 and older in Vancouver. A person may be experiencing or nearing a mental health crisis, and may or may not be actively use substances. The MoDe team supports individuals in the inner city. The team travels to the person's location and work closely with community service providers including shelter and supportive housing staff to provide community-based health care assessments and interventions, post-crisis follow up, and service navigation.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse or Registered Psychiatric Nurse with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).
• Three (3) years' recent, related experience working with the designated client population providing treatment services in a variety of community settings including outreach to individuals with mental health issues, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Valid BC Driver's License as local area travel will require the use of a personal vehicle.

Knowledge & Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of mental health and substance use theory and practice including therapeutic communication, crisis intervention and management, psychopharmacology and pharmacology, interdisciplinary care coordination and case management, individual and group counseling, key VCH and non-VCH community resources, and the nursing process.
• Knowledge of infectious and chronic disease management.
• Demonstrated knowledge of frameworks guiding nursing practice including client and family-oriented care, healthy equity, and psychosocial rehabilitation,.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Trauma and Violence Informed Practice, harm reduction approaches, recovery oriented and strengths-based care.
• Demonstrated ability to promote Indigenous cultural safety.
• Demonstrated ability to provide competent and culturally safe care in a variety of settings including with diverse populations.
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