Requisition number
200973E
Date posted
06/30/2026
Registered Nurse (RN) / Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services
Nanaimo, BC
This is a Temporary Full-Time (Until July 13, 2027 or until return of incumbent) opportunity with Nanaimo Correctional Centre located in Nanaimo, BC. Are you a Registered Nurse or Registered Psychiatric Nurse who approaches care with compassion and a trauma-informed mindset? Do you thrive in a role that challenges you, offers variety, and allows you to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others? If you value working alongside an interdisciplinary team to tackle complex health issues, and you're committed to using trauma-informed practice, harm reduction, and Indigenous Cultural Safety, this position in correctional health services is made for you.
What you'll do - Provide direct trauma informed health care services to clients presenting with a wide variety and complexity of illnesses/diseases including communicable diseases, substance use challenges, mental health and general health issues. Perform physical, substance use and psychiatric assessments, collect specimens, refer clients to the physician for further examination, administer prescribed treatments and medication according to protocols and make appropriate adjustments. Triage Health Service Requests from clients and make appropriate treatment plan or referrals,
- Observe, monitor, evaluate, assess and document client progress, symptoms, and behavioral changes and perform a variety of health care interventions utilizing nursing skills and medical equipment including therapeutic interventions using a variety of modalities. Initiate and facilitate discharge planning in collaboration with the interprofessional treatment team; identify referrals to other health professionals.
- Provide education and support to clients and groups using a health promotion approach regarding matters such as contraception, birth control, sexually transmitted diseases, upper respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections and minor dermatology problems.
- Work collaboratively with other health care professionals, client, family and community in the identification and resolution of health issues, cultural and language barriers, ethical dilemmas and coordination and integration of care, and make referrals to other service providers as appropriate.
- Maintain accurate computerized and paper records in accordance with established procedures and policies; prepare and maintain statistical information, correspondence, reports and other documentation. Document patient/family perspectives and nursing observations.
What you bring Qualifications
- Current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse or Registered Psychiatric Nurse with the British Columbia College or Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).
- Two (2) years' recent experience providing trauma informed acute or community health nursing care/services to patients who have a combination of physical, psychiatric and/or concurrent substance abuse/misuse disorders or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
- Successful completion of Occupational First Aid II (OFA II) (or OFA III techniques for positions at Ford Mountain Correctional Centre)
- Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism and systemic racism on Indigenous Peoples within social and health contexts. This includes understanding how these factors contribute to current health disparities and barriers to care. Show a clear commitment to identifying, challenging, and eradicating Indigenous-specific racism and all forms of discrimination impacting equity-deserving groups within healthcare settings. This involves recognizing personal biases, institutional barriers, engaging in anti-racism education and training and advocating for systemic change.
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments within BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services contexts found in the foundational documents including Truth & Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, BC Human Rights Code, Anti-racism Data Act and how they intersect across the health care system.
Core Competencies
- Brings an understanding of the Indigenous specific racism and the broader systemic racism that exists in the colonial health care structure, and has demonstrated leadership in breaking down barriers and ensuring an environment of belonging. Embed Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility into all aspects of work. This means creating an environment where Indigenous patients feel respected, valued, and understood. Foster trust through respectful communication, active listening, and honoring equity-deserving people's perspectives on health and wellness. Commit to ongoing education and training on Indigenous health issues, cultural safety, and DEI principles. Participate in workshops, cultural immersion experiences, and continuous professional development to stay informed and responsive to equity-deserving groups. Provide patient-centred care that respects Indigenous ways of knowing and healing, respects BIPOC experiences and world views ensuring that care plans are culturally relevant and holistic.
- Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (The Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.).
Skills & Knowledge
- Working knowledge of community health nursing theory including mental health and addictions, communicable diseases, primary care and practice within a patient/family-centered approach.
- Working knowledge of BCCNM's Standards for Nursing Practice.
- Knowledge of the BC Mental Health Act, other facilities and community resources.
- Working knowledge of facilitation, mediation, and conflict resolution techniques. Demonstrated ability to adjust to new or unexpected events
- Demonstrated case management, teaching/training, clinical support and consultation skills.
- Demonstrates a commitment to beginning and continuing their personal learning journey related to Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, as well as addressing racism more broadly. Shows willingness to articulate and share their learning experiences to contribute to a culture of motivation and inspiration among peers.
- Demonstrates foundational knowledge of the social, economic, and political realities of settler-colonialism and its impacts on Indigenous peoples and equity-deserving groups within social and health contexts. Understands the impact of social determinants of health-on-health outcomes. Shows a commitment to learning about and upholding legislative obligations and provincial commitments outlined in foundational documents such as the Truth & Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan, Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, the BC Human Rights Code, Anti-Racism Data Act, and the Distinctions Based Approach.
What we bring Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That's why we're focused on your care too - offering health, wellness, development programs to support you - at work and at home.
- Join one of BC's largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations - offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
- Access to professional development opportunities through our 2,000+ in-house courses including a range of experience level, profession-specific, or other essential training on Indigenous Cultural Safety; Indigenous-specific anti-racism; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and accessibility, mental health and well-being, and more.
- Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
- Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
- PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
- Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.
Job Type: Temporary, Full-Time (Until July 13, 2027 or until return of incumbent)
Wage: $41.42 - $59.52 per hour
Location: 3945 Biggs Rd, Nanaimo, BC V9T 5P9
Hours of Work: Rotating; 0600-1712 and 1148-2300
Requisition # 200973E
** Please indicate in your cover letter why you are interested in joining our team at the Nanaimo Correctional Centre!
*If you are a new grad (graduated in the last 18 months and have NOT completed the new grad program at another health authority), we ask all new grads apply to one posting. You can find the posting and more information about our new grad program through this link: http://www.phsa.ca/careers/nursing-careers/new-graduate-nursing-careers*
Attention current employees of PHSA: You must apply via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca . The internal job posting expires on
July 3, 2026 and will no longer be accessible. If the internal job posting has expired, please e-mail
[email protected] with the six-digit job requisition number and your PHSA employee ID number to be considered as a late internal appli
