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 Registered Nurse or Registered Psychiatric Nurse in Emergency Mental Health with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) at Lions Gate Hospital! Apply now to join the team! 

 

Within a team-based model of care, the RN/RPN assesses, plans, implements and evaluates nursing care for patients and families across their lifespan within the Psychiatric Emergency Assessment and Treatment (PEAT) Unit within Lions Gate Hospital Emergency Department. The RN/RPN works within the context of a recovery-oriented care model and in accordance with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) standards of professional practice and Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses or Registered Psychiatric nurses and the established vision and values of the organization. Provides urgent, direct care to patients presenting in the emergency department and performs comprehensive physical, mental health and substance use assessments, crisis interventions, stabilization and care planning. Provides culturally safe, trauma informed, patient and family-centered care while applying medical management and/or self-care management principles including harm reduction to conduct assessments, identify problems, provide direct care and develop a plan of care. Acts as a resource for the interdisciplinary team by providing information based on nursing theory and practice related to patient’s care needs.

Provides liaison support for patient care and patient flow between the PEAT program, Emergency Department, Mental Health Inpatient Unit, first responders, community health care providers and community partners/agencies including school counselors. Provides direct care to mental health and/or substance use patients awaiting transfer for further assessment or inpatient admission. Initiates and participates in case conferences and case management meetings, prepares and maintains patient records and provides consultative and direct services/care to patients, families, community health professionals/agencies, law enforcement, physicians and emergency room staff. Participates in team meetings, continuing education, conferences, and/or corporate initiatives and engages in on-going team planning, development, evaluation and quality improvement activities.

 

 

About the Psychiatric Emergency Assessment and Treatment (PEAT) Unit

 

The Psychiatric Emergency and Assessment Team (PEAT) provides the residents of the North Shore and surrounding areas with access to prompt psychiatric assessments through the Emergency Department at Lions Gate Hospital.

The program also expedites the care and appropriate triaging of psychiatric patients in the Emergency Department. Additionally, it provides a nursing liaison among the Inpatient Psychiatric Services, the Emergency Department and appropriate community resources. The Psychiatric Emergency Program also acts as Admission Co-ordinator to Magnolia House as designated and on weekends.

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 mental health and substance use experience including experience with patients in emergency, urgent care and/or medical/surgical areas, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to provide comprehensive head-to-toe nursing assessments and interventions related to common diagnosis and specific clinical situations relevant to the designated patient group (e.g. renal failure, wound care, diabetes, sepsis, intoxication, withdrawal).
• Demonstrated ability to perform focused secondary assessments and integrate information from a variety of sources including diagnostics and develops a plan of care relevant to the designated patient group.
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate and respond to potential complications and care issues relevant to the designated patient group.
• Demonstrated ability in correct usage of equipment and maintains competency in working with Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT), oxygen delivery equipment, other care related pumps, catheters, tubes, suctions for the designated patient population.
• Demonstrated skill in the management of patients with altered immune response, acute/chronic pain management, anticoagulation therapy, patients with problematic substance use/withdrawal challenges.
• Demonstrated skill in Peripheral IV insertion, maintenance, blood collection, removal, and Tracheostomy care.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of recovery-oriented conceptual models of mental health care including: person and family centered care, trauma-informed care, harm reduction and psychosocial rehabilitation.
• Knowledge of the Mental Health Act as it applies to the rights and obligations of patients and staff.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Demonstrated knowledge of impact of social, cultural and family systems on health outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and implement care plans and anticipate and respond to potential complications and care issues relevant to the designated patient group.
• Demonstrated ability to participate in the development and delivery of educational programs and materials for patients and families based on education theories, principles and best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to identify emotional, social, or environmental barriers and intervene to eliminate stigma.
• Demonstrates ability and interest to provide advocacy for mental health and substance services, resources, education and patient care in a fast pace clinical department.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage conflict situations and aggressive behaviour and use non-violent crisis intervention and behavioural management techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to model and mentor new staff and students.
• Demonstrated skill in performing autonomous scope of practice and standards of care relevant to designated patient population.
• Demonstrated skill in clinical techniques and the use of applicable equipment and supplies.
• 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.

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.