Older Adult Outreach Nurse (Rn/Rpn)

Come work as an Older Adult Outreach Nurse with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)!

Vancouver Coastal Health is looking for a Registered Nurse OR Registered Psychiatric Nurse to join the Mental Health Geriatric team as an Older Adult Outreach Nurse in Richmond, BC.

This position is focused in working with older adults who are experiencing dementia or have major psychiatric disorders, concurrent disorders and/or problems normally associated with aging and are at risk due to a combination of psychiatric symptoms, complex medical/social factors or significant caregiver stress. Apply today to join our team!

As an Older Adult Outreach Nurse you will

• Consultation/liaison
• Crisis intervention
• Individual counseling and education and support to promote integration and continuity across the care continuum
• Coordinates community resources and provides educational programs as required.
• Act as a clinical resource for nurses and other health care providers in the hospital and community.
• Establish and maintains relationships with, and consults with, clients, their families and colleagues to provide appropriate treatment services based on best practices and client need.
• Psychogeriatric assessments
• Share knowledge and expertise with colleagues via consultations, in-services and presentations.
• Treatment planning
• May provide direct care as well as outreach services.
• Consults with general practitioners, caregivers and family members and works with staff in continuing and long term care as well as hospitals as appropriate.
• Perform the following to promote integration and continuity across the care continuum
• Facilitating/co-facilitating individual/group sessions
• Case coordination

Education & Experience

• Second language may be required.
• Three (3) year’s recent related experience working in geriatric mental health and addictions or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A valid B.C. Driver’s License and use of a vehicle are required.
• Current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse or Registered Psychiatric Nurse with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).

Knowledge & Abilities

• Knowledge of assessment and treatment of psychiatric clients including geriatric psychopathology of depression, delusions, delirium, dementia as well as principles of management of personality disorders.
• Knowledge of psychopharmacology (indications and side-effects).
• Demonstrated ability to develop rapport, trust and ethical relationships with clients/families, family care providers and other health care professionals and providers.
• Knowledge of issues associated with aging, chronic illness and psychosocial factors such as caregiver issues, family dynamics and communication patterns.
• Knowledge of detoxification/withdrawal management, abstinence/harm reduction models of service for geriatric patients with substance use disorders.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention and psychiatric services/community resources.
• Demonstrated physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
• Knowledge of concurrent disorders.
• Knowledge of the roles of both hospital and community geriatric services in client care and the ability to act as liaison between services.
• Demonstrated ability to employ effective conflict resolution and reconciliation approaches and techniques.
• Knowledge of and ability to perform relevant assessments using validated tools.
• Demonstrated ability to apply knowledge of theory and practice to a case management.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver educational programs and materials for staff/patients/clients and families based on educations theories, principles and best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with clients and their families, colleagues, physician, and other health care staff, both one-on-one and in groups.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a consultative/collaborative manner as a team member, leader and facilitator.
• Knowledge of legislation and government policies and procedures that relate to client, including abuse and neglect legislation.
• Knowledge of theories and systems of family dynamics and end-of-life issues.
• Demonstrated ability to provide counseling, psycho-education and consultation services.
• Knowledge of basic research, e.g. research ethics, research question, hypothesis and qualitative and quantitative data analyses methods.
• Demonstrated skill in CPR techniques.
• Demonstrated skill in the use of equipment and in the techniques appropriate to nursing treatment.
• Demonstrated ability to promote client-focused care that demonstrates care for and with clients and significant others, sensitive to diverse cultures and preference, client advocacy and social justice concerns.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, schedule and prioritize work.
• Knowledge of gerontology and geriatric psychiatry and nursing standards of the Canadian Gerontological Nursing Association and current practices in Older Adult Mental Health and Addiction.
• Demonstrated ability to formulate a holistic care plan including holistic, physical, behavioural, social and emotional factors.
• Demonstrated ability adjust to new or unexpected events and deal effectively with conflict situations.
• Ability to operate related equipment including relevant computer applications.

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.

• Access to exclusive discount offers and deals for VCH staff
• 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

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.