Mental Health & Substance Use Nurse (RN/RPN) - MHSU Outpatient Services

minimum Nurse to Patient Ratios (mNPRs)

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is proud to be part of the provincial implementation of minimum Nurse to Patient Ratios (mNPRs), an initiative aimed at enhancing nursing practice and strengthening quality of care across the health system. mNPRs set the minimum number of nurses providing care to patients on a given unit. In British Columbia, mNPRs are developed in partnership with the Ministry of Health, the BC Nurses’ Union (BCNU) and health organizations. Guided by our values: We Care for Everyone, We Are Always Learning and We Strive for Better Results, we remain committed to fostering quality practice and learning environments where nurses can grow and thrive.

Salary Details

The salary range for this position is CAD $41.42/Hr. - CAD $55.91/Hr.

Job Summary

Come work as a Mental Health and Substance Use Outpatient Services Nurse (RN/RPN) with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) at Vancouver General Hospital. Apply now to join the team!

Within the context of a client and family centered care model and in accordance with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) standards of professional practice and Code of Ethics for registered nurses or registered psychiatric nurses, as well as the established vision and values of the organization, the Mental Health & Substance Use Outpatient Services Nurse works as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide short term assessment, treatment, intake, triage and crisis intervention which is inclusionary and flexible for individuals with mental health and substance use issues. Assesses clients’ physiological, psychological, sociocultural and spiritual needs to determine priority of care requirements based on client needs, availability of resources and best practices. Provides therapeutic support and assists client with reducing repeated contact with and acute health care services by connecting them to appropriate community healthcare services/programs/resources. Assesses high risk situations and provides crisis intervention. Collaborates and participates with the multidisciplinary team, clients, and families 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.

About the MHSU Outpatient Services team

The MHSU Outpatient Services team provides assessment, consultation, and time-limited group therapy treatment for adults ages 19 and up. We provide short-term services for adults in Vancouver experiencing moderate to severe mental health or concurrent MHSU disorders leading to impacted functioning in their daily lives. This program is for clients who do not meet the threshold of serious and persistent MHSU concerns that required Community MHSU team intervention. Services aim to support and provide treatment of up to 6 months.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse or Registered Psychiatric Nurse with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).
• Three (3) years’ recent related experience working with adults with mental health and substance use issues or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Knowledge & Abilities

• Demonstrated ability in nursing practice related to outpatient clients with severe and persistent psychiatric illness.
• Demonstrated knowledge of concurrent disorders, substance use and abuse, harm reduction strategies including assessment and intervention.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles and practices of conceptual models of psychiatric care including: person and family centered care, trauma-informed care, recovery model in mental illness and psychosocial rehabilitation methodology.
• Demonstrated knowledge of counselling theories related Dialectical Behavior Theory and cognitive Behavioral Theory.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Mental Health Act as it applies to the rights and obligations of clients and staff.
• Demonstrated knowledge of community, social and mental health resources.
• Demonstrated knowledge of impact of social, cultural and family systems on health outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to provide nursing assessments and interventions such as facilitating group process, conflict resolution, crisis interventions, individual and group counselling.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and implement care plans and anticipate and respond to potential complications and care issues relevant to the designated client group.
• Demonstrated ability to participate in the development and delivery of educational programs and materials for clients and families based on education theories, principles and best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to identify emotional, social, or environmental barriers and intervene to eliminate stigma.
• Demonstrated ability to document client care on appropriate systems/forms in accordance with organizational and unit standards in a timely and accurate manner.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage conflict situations and aggressive behaviour and use non-violent crisis intervention and behavioural management techniques.
• Demonstrated skill in performing autonomous scope of practice and standards of care relevant to designated client population.
• Demonstrated skill in clinical techniques and the use of applicable equipment and supplies.

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.

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.

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

At Vancouver Coastal Health, our vision of healthy lives in healthy communities inspires us and our values and pillars guide us. We support equitable practices, diverse teams and inclusive environments, which are vital to creating welcoming spaces where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and feel supported. We encourage applications from equity-deserving communities, including Indigenous Peoples and members of racialized groups, people with disabilities and people of all gender identities and expressions and sexual orientation.Vancouver Coastal Health is proud to be recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers, BC’s Top Employers, Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and Canada's Top Employers for Young People in 2026. 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 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.