Mental Health and Substance Use Outreach Nurse - Crisis Response/Assessment/Intervention

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.

Description

This team provides mobile crisis response to individuals in the inner city who are experiencing a mental health crisis, including in the context of substance use. The interdisciplinary team works closely with community service providers including shelter and supportive housing staff to provide a mental health assessment, intervention, post-crisis follow up, and service navigation.

 

 

JOB SUMMARY:Within the context of a patient and family-centered framework and continuum-based care model and in accordance with established standards of professional practice and the vision, values and policies of the organization, works as a member of the designated community program to provide mobile crisis response and/or outreach services to individuals experiencing urgent and emergent mental health and/or substance use problems. Conducts initial screening and/or assessment as needed, to determine if the client requires, the provision of mobile crisis response, hospitalization and/or other community-based support. Assesses bio-psychosocial-spiritual needs; conducts safety and risk assessments and formulates initial clinical impression to determine the priority of care requirements and the appropriate services and resources. Provides crisis intervention and client care in the form of immediate screening and/or assessment, intervention, referral and support to clients in urgent situations as well as providing assessment and treatment once the crisis period has stabilized. Attends to anticipated/unanticipated client responses to care; initiates measures to stabilize the crisis/emergent situations and responds effectively to aggressive behaviour and/or self-harm. Provides the client/family/caregiver with education and support and develops the care plan with other key members of the interdisciplinary team. Communicates and collaborates with others within community and acute care to facilitate the movement of clients to appropriate services as needs develop or change.This work is framed within VCH’s commitments to our pillars of Indigenous Cultural Safety, Anti-Racism, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and Planetary Health.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 the designated client population providing treatment services in a variety of community settings including outreach to individuals with mental health issues, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Valid BC Driver’s License as local area travel will require the use of a personal vehicle.Knowledge & Abilities• Demonstrated knowledge of mental health and substance use theory and practice including therapeutic communication, crisis intervention and management, psychopharmacology and pharmacology, interdisciplinary care coordination and case management, individual and group counseling, key VCH and non-VCH community resources, and the nursing process. • Knowledge of infectious and chronic disease management.• Demonstrated knowledge of frameworks guiding nursing practice including client and family-oriented care, healthy equity, and psychosocial rehabilitation,• Demonstrated knowledge of Trauma and Violence Informed Practice, harm reduction approaches, recovery oriented and strengths-based care.• Demonstrated ability to promote Indigenous cultural safety. • Demonstrated ability to provide competent and culturally safe care in a variety of settings including with diverse populations.• Knowledge of relevant legislation, regulatory, policy and decision support tools and professional and practice standards contextualizing and enabling care in this setting (i.e. Mental Health Act, Adult Guardianship Act, BCCNM Standards).• Demonstrated skill in clinical techniques such as motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioural therapy, or individual supportive counselling, group facilitation or psychoeducation. • Demonstrated skill in the application of the nursing process including appropriate screening, assessment, risk identification, care planning, intervention(s), and evaluation. • Demonstrated skill in the prudent selection and application of standards, assessments and measures defined by the organization for the service/practice setting. • Demonstrated ability to work with clients and families using a variety of care modalities - including but not limited to in-person, clinic, virtual and primarily outreach visits.• Demonstrated ability to identify and mitigate key risks (e.g. overdose risk/prevention, psychosis, suicide risk, medication side effects) through evidence-informed nursing practice, interdisciplinary care coordination, client- and family-centred care planning and case management. • Knowledge of emergency mental health and crisis stabilization.• Demonstrated ability to provide crisis intervention/treatment.• Demonstrated ability to assess and respond effectively to aggressive behaviour and or self-harm.• Demonstrated de-escalation, conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team environment with diverse people through effective verbal and written communication, consultation, problem-solving, facilitation, conflict mediation and resolution. • Demonstrated ability to adapt to unexpected and challenging events, and reconsider workload priorities.• Demonstrated ability to effectively use clinical digital information systems for care documentation, risk communication, and care planning.• Basic computer literacy skills including the use of word processors, spreadsheets, printers, fax, email and calendar functions.• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.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.

Details

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.Unless otherwise noted on the posting, internal job postings close at 8:00 AM Pacific Time on the listed Closing Date. Please submit your digital application via the Internal Career Portal prior to the Closing Date & Time.Nursing & LPN successful applicants will be notified by email.We regret that only short listed candidates will be acknowledged.This is an internal job posting for Vancouver Coastal Health employees only.