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 Mental Health and Substance Use Triage Nurse (RN/RPN) with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) on the MHSU Outpatient team at Vancouver General Hospital in Vancouver, BC! Apply now to join the team!

 

Within the context of a patient/client and family-centred framework and continuum-based care model and in accordance with established standards of professional practice and the vision, values and policies of the organization, the Mental Health and Substance Use Triage Nurse provides initial client screening related to referral priority and appropriateness of referrals, urgency of needs, and confirmation of the appropriate required service. Acts as a liaison with other internal and external teams to assess client care needs. Coordinates the site-specific client allocations/assignments based on priority, ensures workload is distributed evenly, and client care needs are met. Follows established standardized client allocation/assignment processes and utilizes established escalation procedures to ensure timely and appropriate client allocation/assignment to not delay care provision. Prioritizes daily workload to accommodate urgent client needs and referrals.

As required, provides holistic, evidence-informed nursing care to clients with complex mental health and substance use needs through comprehensive assessment, risk identification and mitigation strategies, and collaborative care planning. Coordinates and monitors treatment and response in partnership with clients, families, and community supports, offering psychoeducation, harm reduction, and medication management. Delivers a range of therapeutic interventions including crisis response, counselling, and motivational interviewing, while maintaining professional documentation and regulatory standards. Advocates for client rights, liaises with emergency and community agencies, and actively participates in case conferences to address emerging issues. Upholds professional standards through ongoing learning, mentorship, and engagement in quality improvement to enhance team capacity and client care.

This work is framed within VCH’s commitments to our pillars of Indigenous Cultural Safety, Anti-Racism, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and Planetary Health.

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 experience providing nursing care for individuals with mental health conditions and/or substance use disorders, including recent experience in care and transition planning, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Valid BC Driver’s License required as local area travel may require the use of a vehicle or other accepted mode of transportation.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of mental health and substance use theory and practice including therapeutic communication, crisis intervention and management, psychopharmacology and pharmacology, interdisciplinary care coordination and case management, individual and group counseling, key VCH and non-VCH community resources, and the nursing process.
• Demonstrated ability to triage multiple client’s needs, prioritize urgent situations and escalate level of care as appropriate.
• Demonstrated knowledge of frameworks guiding nursing practice including client and family-oriented care, healthy equity, and psychosocial rehabilitation,
• Demonstrated knowledge of Trauma and Violence Informed Practice, harm reduction approaches, recovery oriented and strengths-based care.
• Demonstrated ability to promote Indigenous cultural safety.
• Demonstrated ability to provide competent and culturally safe care in a variety of settings including with diverse populations.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, regulatory, policy and decision support tools and professional and practice standards contextualizing and enabling care in this setting (i.e. Mental Health Act, Adult Guardianship Act, BCCNM Standards).
• Demonstrated skill in clinical techniques such as motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioural therapy, or individual supportive counselling, group facilitation or psychoeducation.
• Demonstrated skill in the application of the nursing process including appropriate screening, assessment, risk identification, care planning, intervention(s), and evaluation.
• Demonstrated skill in the prudent selection and application of standards, assessments and measures defined by the organization for the service/practice setting.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and mitigate key risks (e.g. overdose risk/prevention, psychosis, suicide risk, medication side effects) through evidence-informed nursing practice, interdisciplinary care coordination, client- and family-centred care planning and case management.
• Demonstrated ability to work with clients and families using a variety of care modalities including but not limited to in-person, clinic, virtual and outreach visits.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team environment with diverse people through effective verbal and written communication, consultation, problem-solving, facilitation, conflict mediation and resolution.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to unexpected and challenging events, and reconsider workload priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively use clinical digital information systems for care documentation, risk communication, and care planning.
• Basic computer literacy skills including the use of word processors, spreadsheets, printers, fax, email and calendar functions.
• 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.

As per Ministry of Health policy, all health care workers working in publicly-funded health care facilities are required to report their past receipt of certain vaccines or history of certain infections. Collecting these records will allow for offering of any missing vaccines, and for appropriate actions to be taken in the event of any future exposure to a communicable disease or during outbreaks. For all new hires and appointments to Vancouver Coastal Health, you will be asked to provide this information as part of the onboarding process.

 

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

At Vancouver Coastal Health, our vision of healthy lives in healthy communities inspires us and our values and pillars guide us. We support equitable practices, diverse teams and inclusive environments, which are vital to creating welcoming spaces where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and feel supported. We encourage applications from equity-deserving communities, including Indigenous Peoples and members of racialized groups, people with disabilities and people of all gender identities and expressions and sexual orientation.

Vancouver Coastal Health is proud to be recognized as one of BC’s Top Employers, Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and Canada's Top Employers for Young People in 2025.

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.