Job Summary: We recognize that our places of work and Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) facilities lie on the traditional homelands of the Heiltsuk, Kitasoo-Xai’xais, Lil’wat, Musqueam, N’Quatqua, Nuxalk, Samahquam, shishalh, Skatin, Squamish, Tla’amin, Tsleil-Waututh, Ulkatcho, Wuikinuxv, and Xa’xtsa Nations.

Within the context of cultural safety and a client-centred model, and in accordance with established vision and values of the organization, the Indigenous Mental Health and Substance Use (MHSU) Response Team works as part of an interdisciplinary team to provide moderate de-escalation and wrap-around longitudinal services to support Indigenous individuals in the Vancouver area.
This position works as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide triage and outreach services that are inclusionary and flexible for individuals with mental illness, addictions and/or chronic medical conditions. Conducts mental and physical status assessments and 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 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 interdisciplinary team 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. 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 multidisciplinary team. Assists clients with attendance to needed services such as medical appointments.

The position also works in tandem to the Indigenous Health Outreach Program, in addition to other VCH Vancouver Community services, and liaises and works with the local First Nation community, other Indigenous serving organizations, community resources, and healthcare providers to assist Indigenous clients to access support services such as benefits or assistance as appropriate. Provides emotional and spiritual support by applying Indigenous ways of knowing and being to everyday approaches to care to assist with problem solving and day-to-day matters/issues of living. Provides care within the interdisciplinary model through trauma and violence-informed practice, harm reduction and a recovery oriented care approach. Uses a strengths based perspective to support the client to identify care goals.

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.
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). Diploma in Nursing or Psychiatric Nursing plus two (2) years’ recent related experience working with individuals with mental health and addictions illness or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Valid BC Drivers License. Local area travel may require the use of a personal vehicle.

Knowledge and Abilities:
Comprehensive knowledge and demonstrated ability to provide culturally safe care, has knowledge of cultural humility and anti-racism practices, has completed Indigenous Cultural Safety training.
Demonstrated Health Care experience; including experience working with Indigenous patients; experience working with Indigenous populations
Demonstrated ability to identify and recognize current health care system gaps and barriers for Indigenous individuals and communities seeking health care.
Demonstrated ability to identify and recognize power inequities within the healthcare system associated with ongoing impacts of colonialism, including detrimental impacts on accessing healthcare experienced by Indigenous Peoples and communities.
Demonstrated knowledge of local First Nations, including an understanding of wellness and history, cultural knowledge, understanding ongoing impacts of historical, direct, and intergenerational trauma experienced by Indigenous Peoples.
Demonstrated knowledge of the principles of recovery in mental health and substance use.
Demonstrated knowledge and experience in Trauma and violence Informed Practice
Demonstrated knowledge and ability to apply a Harm Reduction approach to care.
Knowledge of the principles and practices of a client and family centered recovery model in mental illness.
Broad knowledge of crisis intervention and counseling skills.
Broad knowledge of mental health illness and treatment.
Broad knowledge of psychopharmacology (indication and side effects).
Broad knowledge of substance abuse and addictions 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 orally 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 multidisciplinary 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 a multidisciplinary 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.
Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
Basic computer literacy to operate a computerized client care information system and word processing, Internet and email software.

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 the current Public Health Orders (Long Term Care/Seniors Assisted Living Provincial Health Officer Order and the Health Sector Order), as of October 26, 2021, all employees working for Vancouver Coastal Health must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Proof of vaccination status will be required.

Why Join Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH):

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

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to our goals of creating a great place to work and delivering exceptional care. We acknowledge and accommodate unique differences and ensure special measures are in place so that all prospective and current employees are given an opportunity to succeed.

We are committed to building a representative workforce and encourage applications reflecting diversity of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization or ancestry, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

Vancouver Coastal Health is proud to be recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers in 2023.

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 https://my.vch.ca/working-here/job-postings 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.