minimum Nurse to Patient Ratios (mNPRs)

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) on the Mental Health Crisis Response Program, Car 87 with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) in Vancouver, BC. Apply today to join our team!

Position works as part of an interdisciplinary team to provide triage and outreach services that are inclusionary and flexible for individuals with mental illness, substance use and/or chronic medical conditions.

Conducts mental and physical status assessments and assesses the client's physiological, psychological, sociocultural and spiritual needs to determine priority of care requirements based on client needs, availability of resources and best practices. Provides counseling and assists client with reducing repeated contact with and use of acute and community healthcare services/programs/resources. Assesses high risk situations and provides crisis intervention.

Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to develop, implement and adjust the client's care plan to meet the client's need for integrated services and continuity of care across the continuum. Facilitates the movement of clients between acute care, community agency support site and designated health centre. Participates in case conferences/meetings with members of the interdisciplinary team. Assists clients with attendance to needed services such as medical appointments.

Practices in accordance with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) standards (professional & practice) and code of ethics for registered nurses or registered psychiatric nurses. Practices within the scope of practice as set by the organization, as per VCH policies and guidelines/clinical practice documents and within own competence. This practice is aligned with the vision, mission, goals and values of the organization as well as with the concept of the resident/client and family centred care model.

About Car 87 Program:

In partnership between Vancouver Coastal Health and the Vancouver Police Department (VPD), Car 87 teams a plain-clothed police officer with a nurse to provide crisis response to residents of Vancouver. The team can provide on-site assessments and intervention for people experiencing a mental health crisis. The nurse and police officer work as a team in assessing, managing, and deciding about the most appropriate action, which may include referrals for community-based mental health follow-up or emergency intervention. Professional and community organizations may access the team directly and public access is via the Access and Assessment Center.

This position is for Car 87 who work alongside the Vancouver Police. Successful completion of an Enhanced Security Police Clearance will be required. Applicants who have already completed this clearance and who have experience working with police partners are preferred.

Qualifications

Education and 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 experience working with individuals with mental health and substance use issues, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Valid BC Drivers License and access to a personal vehicle for business-related purposes, as required.

Knowledge and Abilities:

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

Closing Statement

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.