Come work as a Nurse Practitioner with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)!

Vancouver Coastal Health is looking for a Nurse Practitioner to join the Overdose Emergency Response team working out of Stepping Stones and other North Shore VCH Mental Health sites in North Vancouver, BC.

VCH is pleased to announce we will now reimburse Nurse Practitioners (NPs) for the cost of the Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE), upon successful completion, for NP candidates who have not yet completed the exam, and who are hired into a regular or temporary position with VCH. The OSCE reimbursement is in the form of a forgivable loan, which is forgiven after one (1) year of continuous employment in a regular or temporary position with VCH.

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.

As a Nurse Practitioner with VCH you will:

• Be responsible and accountable for the comprehensive assessment of patients and clients including diagnosing diseases, disorders and conditions.
• Initiate treatment including health care management, therapeutic interventions and prescribe medications in accordance with the statutory and regulatory standards, limits and conditions, and employer policies and procedures.
• Provide professional guidance to other health professionals and participate autonomously as a member of the interdisciplinary health teams.
• Collaborate with clients and other health professionals to identify and assess trends and patterns that have implications for clients, families and communities.
• Develop and implement population and evidence-based strategies to improve health and participate in policy-making and quality improvement activities that influence health services and practices.
• Participate in peer, program and self-review to evaluate the outcome of the services at the client, community and population level.
• Be responsible for your own professional development and maintaining competence in the position, and maintaining privileges as active medical staff as required.
• Report to an Operational Director, Professional Practice and own key accountabilities for quality assurance and patient safety within the Regional Department of Nurse Practitioners.

About the Stepping Stones Program:

Stepping Stones provides easy and quick access to evidence based treatments for adults over the age of 19 who are struggling with problematic substance use or concurrent mental health and substance use issues. The Nurse Practitioner will provide team-based patient-centred care in the context of mental health and substance use. Specialty training in Addiction Medicine with the BCCSU Provincial Opioid Agonist Treatment Support Program is required and can be supported for those new to this practice.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education & Experience

• Current registration as a Nurse Practitioner with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) plus 4 years of recent, and relevant clinical nursing experience. Successful completion of the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) required.

Knowledge & Abilities

• Ability to perform the full scope of NP duties and responsibilities.
• Applies for and maintains core and non-core privileges, as required by the program, as active medical staff within the VCH Regional Department of Nurse Practitioners and cross-appointments as described in the VCH Medical Staff Rules and Medical Bylaws.
• Ability to apply knowledge of developmental stages, behavioral sciences, pathophysiology, psychopathology, epidemiology, and evidence-based practice to clinical diagnosis and patient management.
• Ability to apply knowledge of pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics to prescribing and evaluating treatment responses.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate with patients and families about health findings, diagnosis, treatment, self care and prognosis.
• Ability to collaborate, consult with and formally refer clients and patients to physicians and other health professionals when appropriate.
• Ability to critically assess and evaluate health research literature to determine best practices; ability to introduce education and evidence-based research.
• Ability to assess and recognize population health trends; ability to plan and implement strategies for population based prevention and health promotion.
• Ability to implement and evaluate planned change.
• Ability to define the specific areas of practice and client population for whom the position is competent to provide health care services.
• Ability to apply lead leadership skills within a program and team setting.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

WHY JOIN VANCOUVER COASTAL HEALTH?

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.

VCH is proud to be recognized as a Best Place to Work in Canada in 2021 by Glassdoor and Forbes.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for this posting.


***Employees of VCH must apply via the Internal Application Process. Refer to the https://my.vch.ca/working-here/job-postings site for How to Apply instructions. 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.