Psychiatric Emergency Assessment

Come work as a Registered Nurse in Emergency Mental Health with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)Vancouver Coastal Health is looking for a Registered Nurse OR Registered Psychiatric Nurse to join the MHSU Zone in the Emergency Department at Richmond Hospital in Richmond, BC. Apply today to join our team 

As a Nurse focused in Psychiatric Emergency assessment and treatment at VCH you will:

• Assess, plan, implement and evaluate nursing care for patients and families across their lifespan within the Mental Health Zone within Richmond Hospital Emergency Department.
• Work within the context of a recovery-oriented care model and in accordance with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) standards of professional practice and Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses or Registered Psychiatric nurses and the established vision and values of the organization.
• Provide urgent, direct care to patients presenting in the emergency department and performs comprehensive physical, mental health and substance use assessments, crisis interventions, stabilization and care planning.
• Provide culturally safe, trauma informed, patient and family-centered care while applying medical management and/or self-care management principles including harm reduction to conduct assessments, identify problems, provide direct care and develop a plan of care.
• Act as a resource for the interdisciplinary team by providing information based on nursing theory and practice related to patient's care needs.
• Provide liaison support for patient care and patient flow between the mental health zone of the Emergency Department, Mental Health Inpatient Unit, first responders, community health care providers and community partners/agencies including school counselors.
• Provide direct care to mental health and/or substance use patients awaiting transfer for further assessment or inpatient admission.
• Initiate and participate in case conferences and case management meetings, prepares and maintains patient records and provide consultative and direct services/care to patients, families, community health professionals/agencies, law enforcement, physicians and emergency room staff.
• Participate in team meetings, continuing education, conferences, and/or corporate initiatives and engages in on-going team planning, development, evaluation and quality improvement activities.

Education & Experience

• Current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse or Registered Psychiatric Nurse with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).
• Two (2) years' recent related mental health and substance use experience including experience with patients in emergency, urgent care and/or medical/surgical areas, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to provide comprehensive head-to-toe nursing assessments and interventions related to common diagnosis and specific clinical situations relevant to the designated patient group (e.g. intoxication, withdrawal).
• Demonstrated ability to perform focused secondary assessments and integrate information from a variety of sources including diagnostics and develops a plan of care relevant to the designated patient group.
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate and respond to potential complications and care issues relevant to the designated patient group.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of recovery-oriented conceptual models of mental health care including: person and family centered care, trauma-informed care, harm reduction and psychosocial rehabilitation.
• Knowledge of the Mental Health Act as it applies to the rights and obligations of patients and staff.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Demonstrated knowledge of impact of social, cultural and family systems on health outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and implement care plans and anticipate and respond to potential complications and care issues relevant to the designated patient group.
• Demonstrated ability to participate in the development and delivery of educational programs and materials for patients and families based on education theories, principles and best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to identify emotional, social, or environmental barriers and intervene to eliminate stigma.
• Demonstrates ability and interest to provide advocacy for mental health and substance services, resources, education and patient care in a fast pace clinical department.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage conflict situations and aggressive behaviour and use non-violent crisis intervention and behavioural management techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to model and mentor new staff and students.
• Demonstrated skill in performing autonomous scope of practice and standards of care relevant to designated patient population.
• Demonstrated skill in clinical techniques and the use of applicable equipment and supplies.
• Ability to operate related equipment including applicable software applications
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

The hours of work including days off and work area may be subject to change consistent with operational requirements and the provision of the Collective Agreement and applicable statutes.As per Ministry of Health policy, all health care workers working in publicly-funded health care facilities are required to report their past receipt of certain vaccines or history of certain infections. Collecting these records will allow for offering of any missing vaccines, and for appropriate actions to be taken in the event of any future exposure to a communicable disease or during outbreaks. For all new hires and appointments to Vancouver Coastal Health, you will be asked to provide this information as part of the onboarding process.

WHY JOIN VANCOUVER COASTAL HEALTH?

VCH is a world class innovator in medical care, research and teaching, delivering service to more than one million BC residents. At VCH, we embrace thinking boldly, taking smart risks, and "going first" when we believe it will lead to the best possible outcomes for patients and their families. We invite you to join us in creating healthy lives in healthy communities by showcasing our passion for care, connection to the communities we serve and our culture of teamwork that makes VCH a great place to work.

• Comprehensive health benefits package, including MSP, extended health and dental and municipal pension plan
• Grow your career with employer-paid training and leadership development opportunities
• Wellness supports, including counselling, critical incident and innovative wellness services are available to employees and their immediate families
• Award-winning recognition programs to honour staff, medical staff and volunteers
• Access to exclusive discount offers and deals for VCH staff

At Vancouver Coastal Health, our vision of healthy lives in healthy communities inspires us and our values and pillars guide us. We support equitable practices, diverse teams and inclusive environments, which are vital to creating welcoming spaces where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and feel supported. We encourage applications from equity-deserving communities, including Indigenous Peoples and members of racialized groups, people with disabilities and people of all gender identities and expressions and sexual orientation.Vancouver Coastal Health is proud to be recognized as one of BC's Top Employers, Canada's Best Diversity Employers and Canada's Top Employers for Young People in 2025.Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for this posting. ***Employees of VCH must apply online via the Internal Career Portal on CareerHub, you are currently viewing the External Career Portal. Refer to the site for instructions on how to view internal job postings and how to apply as an employee. Current VCH employees who apply to this posting using this external site will be considered as an external candidate. Seniority will not apply.***Thank you for your interest in Vancouver Coastal Health.