Psychiatric Emergency Care Nurse; RN​/RPN

Psychiatric Emergency Care Nurse (RN/RPN) – (228748)
West Coast General Hospital (WCGH) – Port Alberni, BC V9Y 4S1 CA (Primary)

Work Area (FBA Only):
Multi‑Site
Shift Start Time / End Time: 09:00‑21:00
Days Off:
As required
Vacancy Type:
Casual
Salary Range (Hourly Rate): $41.42 – $59.52
Planned

Start Date:

May
42026

In accordance with the Vision, Purpose, and Values, and the strategic direction of Vancouver Island Health Authority (Island Health), patient and staff safety is a priority and a shared responsibility.

Reports to the Coordinator or designate and functions as part of an interdisciplinary team to deliver psychiatric emergency services, crisis intervention and stabilisation care in accordance with the unit/program philosophy, competency guidelines and BC College of Nurses and Midwives Standards of Nursing Practice. The nurse responds to crisis/emergency situations of patients/clients in the Psychiatric Emergency Services Unit, using a crisis intervention model.

The nurse conducts a comprehensive psychiatric and medical assessment and an in‑depth risk assessment. Working within a multidisciplinary team, the nurse contributes to the patient care plan, referral and/or discharge plan in partnership with patient, caregiver/family and appropriate community services.

• Registration with BC College of Nurses and Midwives as a practising RN registrant or a practising RPN registrant.
• A minimum of two (2) years recent experience working with persons with acute mental illness and/or addiction, including working with multidisciplinary teams, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Working knowledge of relevant legislation.
• Knowledge of the Canadian Standards of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing (2nd ed.).
• Current CPR Basic Rescuer certification.

• Conduct assessments of physical status, mental status and risk assessment.
• Apply addiction theory and manage withdrawal.
• Apply crisis intervention and stabilisation principles.
• Apply common screening tools for mental illness and addictions.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Establish therapeutic relationships.
• Organise assigned workload and set priorities.
• Deal effectively with a variety of internal and external contacts, including co‑workers, physicians, community agency representatives, patients/clients, and families/ significant others.
• Operate related equipment including computers and related software.
• Perform physical duties required for the position.

More information on working at West Coast General Hospital may be found at:

Additional Clauses: A first in Canada: minimum Nurse to Patient Ratios (mNPR) are starting in BC! Island Health, alongside other health authorities, is implementing mNPR as a transformative staffing solution that aims to improve the working environment of nurses in order to provide better quality care to our patients.