Emerging Response Outreach Nurse - Registered Nurse; RN​/Registered Psychiatric Nurse; RPN

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.

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

- CAD $55.91/Hr.

Come work as a Emerging Response Outreach Nurse with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) on the Substance Use & Priority Population Team in Vancouver, BC. Within the context of a client and family centered care model, works as part of an interdisciplinary team to provide outreach services to vulnerable/marginalized clients (across the age span) and communities most impacted by emerging public health issues including the overdose response, climate related emergencies, emerging pathogens/communicable diseases in addition to a range of urgent/emerging crises with health impacts.

Physical work locations will also vary and may include community health work sites such as community health centres, mental health team offices, shelters as well as the physical location/offices or sites of other community based organizations in areas where priority populations are located. Provides frontline primary health care supports to clients in the form of immediate assessment, intervention and treatment, sexual health screening and appropriately prioritizes referrals to other services and longer term care.

Provides harm reduction education, counseling and support from a nursing perspective on issues relating to substance use including facilitating referrals to access a range of pharmaceutical alternatives to the toxic street drug supply, coordinating prescribing access for substance use with community based clinicians. Distributes harm reduction supplies and collaborates with other community-based agencies and partners such as VCH Vancouver Community services, VCH Public Health, City of Vancouver and BC Housing among others to reach high risk populations.

Identifies health issues, behaviours, needs, barriers and challenges for at-risk populations. Works collaboratively in team settings to develop creative strategies to address the challenges and participates in research projects and surveys, as required. Practices in accordance with established standards as outlined by the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses/Psychiatric Nurses, as well as within the VCH vision and values, policies, standards.

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 community and/or outreach experience providing nursing care such as assessment, treatment, outreach support, communicable disease and/or sexual health screening using the principles of harm reduction for clients living in the inner city with multiple health and/or social challenges, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Valid BC Driver's License.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Broad knowledge of nursing theory and practice within a client-centered approach.
• Knowledge of community development and health promotion principles and practices.
• K…