Mental Health And Addictions Outreach Nurse (Rn/Rpn) - Ihot - Crisis De-Escalation

Come work as a Mental Health and Addictions Outreach Nurse with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)!

Vancouver Coastal Health is looking for a Registered Nurse (RN) OR Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) to join the Crisis De-Escalation Team as a Mental Health and Addictions Outreach Nurse in Vancouver, BC, as part of the Intensive Housing Outreach Team expansion.

This new service will provide outreach crisis support to individuals in the inner city who are experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis. The interdisciplinary team will work closely with community service providers including shelter and supportive housing staff to provide a community-based, healthcare-led crisis response, post-crisis follow up, and service navigation. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a new, specialized service that will evolve to meet the needs of the inner city community.

As a Mental Health and Addiction Outreach Nurse, you will

• Assess high risk situations and provide crisis intervention.
• Provide triage and outreach services that are inclusionary and flexible for individuals with mental illness, addictions and/or chronic medical conditions.
• Participate in case conferences/meetings with members of the multidisciplinary team.
• Provide counseling and assist client with reducing repeated contact with and use of acute and community healthcare services/programs/resources.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team to develop, implement and adjust client’s care plan and meet the client’s need for integrated services and continuity of care across the continuum.
• Assist clients with attendance to needed services such as medical appointments.
• Facilitate the movement of clients between acute care, community agency support site and designated health centre.
• Conduct mental and physical status assessments and assess clients’ physiological, psychological, sociocultural and spiritual needs to determine priority of care requirements based on client needs, availability of resources and best practices.

Education And Experience

• Diploma in Nursing or Psychiatric Nursing plus two (2) years’ recent related experience working with individuals with mental health and addictions illness or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Valid BC Drivers License. Local area travel may require the use of a personal vehicle.
• Current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse or Registered Psychiatric Nurse with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).

Knowledge And Abilities

• Broad knowledge of psychopharmacology (indication and side effects).
• Demonstrated ability to establish workload priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to deal effectively with conflict situations.
• Demonstrated skill in CPR techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
• Broad knowledge of substance abuse and addictions treatment.
• Broad knowledge of other facilities and community resources.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with clients and their families, colleagues, physicians, and other health care staff, both one-on-one and in groups.
• Demonstrated ability to adjust schedule to deal with unexpected situations.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct psychiatric assessments.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
• Basic computer literacy to operate a computerized client care information system and word processing, Internet and email software.
• Broad knowledge of mental health illness and treatment.
• Broad knowledge of crisis intervention and counseling skills.
• Demonstrated ability to provide treatment planning, counseling, crisis intervention, and case coordination.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of a client and family centered recovery model in mental illness.
• Ability to operate related equipment.
• Demonstrated ability to provide consultation and leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve.
• Demonstrated listening and information seeking skills that promotes communication and lead to a cooperative approach to problem solving within a multidisciplinary setting.

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 the current Public Health Orders (Long Term Care/Seniors Assisted Living Provincial Health Officer Order and the Health Sector Order), as of October 26, 2021, all employees working for Vancouver Coastal Health must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Proof of vaccination status will be required.

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.

• 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
• Grow your career with employer-paid training and leadership development opportunities
• Comprehensive health benefits package, including MSP, extended health and dental and municipal pension plan
• Access to exclusive discount offers and deals for VCH staff

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to our goals of creating a great place to work and delivering exceptional care. We acknowledge and accommodate unique differences and ensure special measures are in place so that all prospective and current employees are given an opportunity to succeed.

We are committed to building a representative workforce and encourage applications reflecting diversity of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization or ancestry, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

Vancouver Coastal Health is proud to be recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers in 2023.

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 https//my.vch.ca/working-here/job-postings 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.