Mental Health Crisis Nurse (RN/RPN)

In accordance with the Vision, Purpose, and Values, and strategic direction of Island Health (Vancouver Island Health Authority), patient and staff safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone; as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

Under the direction of the Program Coordinator or designate and in collaboration with other health care professionals, both internal and external, the Mental Health Crisis Nurse provides direct and indirect mental health clinical service for children and youth experiencing a mental health crisis or acute psychiatric illness and present to the Emergency Room (ER), Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES), or are admitted to the Inpatient Unit. This includes using a trauma-informed approach to provide mental status and alcohol and drug use assessment; crisis stabilization and triage services; the development and implementation of therapeutic care plans; case management and discharge planning in collaboration with other applicable professions; psycho-education and family support as required; and all related documentation of assessment and care. The Mental Health Crisis Nurse is also responsible for screening referrals, gathering collateral information, and setting up appointments with the child and youth psychiatrist for those children and youth who require an urgent psychiatric consultation and is responsible for initiating recommendations regarding further treatment planning, and referral and liaison with related service providers.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Training And Experience

Registration with BC College of Nurses and Midwives as a practicing RN registrant or a practicing RPN registrant. Competencies as outlined in Canadian Standards of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing Practice (2nd Edition). A minimum of two (2) years recent experience working with a multi-disciplinary team with children and youth with acute mental illness; crisis or emergency mental health experience an asset; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Recent training in Non Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) or equivalent and current CPR certification required. Canadian Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse (Certificate) (CPMHN{C}) an asset.

Skills And Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to conduct an age appropriate psychiatric assessment, including risk to self/others and mental status.
• Working knowledge of DSM IV diagnoses including substance use concerns and related treatments including Opioid Agonist Treatment, the Infants Act, Mental Health Act, and the Child, Family and Community Service Act.
• Demonstrated experience in suicide prevention and crisis intervention.
• De-escalation skills with hostile/aggressive clients.
• Works effectively and efficiently under pressure, in high-acuity situations.
• Demonstrated ability in establishing therapeutic relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to deal effectively with a variety of internal and external contacts, including co-workers, physicians, community agency representatives, patients/clients, and families/ significant others.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated ability to consistently apply effective and respectful communication skills, including active-listening, problem-solving, respectful limit setting, and reframing.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to organize workload and set priorities.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
• Typing and computer skills sufficient to enter reports efficiently on an electronic health record.