Addiction Nurse

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.

Practices within the context of a client and family centered Recovery model and in accordance with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) standards of practice for Registered Nurses or Registered Psychiatric Nurses, Code of Ethics and the established vision and values of the organization, the Addiction Nurse provides direct nursing care and supportive counseling to clients who are in the process of detoxification, stabilization and/or transitioning into other residential addiction services, working effectively with challenging clients to maintain a safe environment for clients and staff.

Collaborates with interdisciplinary team members, educational resources and other health professionals and care providers from multi-jurisdictional sectors such as housing, justice and/or health to achieve excellence in client-centered care and education.

Education & Experience Current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse or Registered Psychiatric Nurse with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).Two (2) years’ recent, related clinical experience providing treatment services to individuals with mental health and/or substance use concerns and/or recent related experience working in an Indigenous-led or First Nations organization, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Valid BC Driver's License and access to a personal vehicle for business-related purposes. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Knowledge of the principles of recovery and trauma informed practice.

Broad knowledge of nursing theory and practice within a client/family-centred model of care. Knowledge of BCCNM Standards for Nursing Practice.

General knowledge of Trauma Informed Practice and Harm Reduction approaches and Strengths-based care.

Demonstrated ability to promote Indigenous Cultural Safety. Demonstrated ability to provide competent and culturally safety care in a variety of settings and with diverse populations.

Broad knowledge of substance use and a non-judgmental attitude towards working with clients with problematic substance use through their recovery. Demonstrated knowledge of substance use, harm reduction strategies including assessment and intervention, evidence-based pharmacological approaches to substance use treatment and recovery. Broad knowledge of community bed-based services, psychosocial and mental health resources Broad knowledge of behaviour management and ability to utilize non-violent crisis intervention strategies in a trauma informed manner.

Broad knowledge of facilitation, mediation and conflict resolution techniques Demonstrated skill in CPR Techniques.

Demonstrated case management, teaching/training, clinical support and consultation skills. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. Demonstrated ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary team environment. Demonstrated ability to prioritize, work independently, and use a cooperative approach Ability to operate related equipment including applicable software applications. 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.

At Vancouver Coastal Health, our vision of healthy lives in healthy communities inspires us and our values…