Come work as a Clinical Nurse Specialist, Rural and Remote Nursing with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)!

Vancouver Coastal Health is looking for a Clinical Nurse Specialist to join the Rural and Remote Nursing Team. Apply today to join our team! 

Reporting operationally to the Director, Professional Practice and with professional accountability to the VCH Vice President Professional Practice, the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Rural and Remote is responsible for providing leadership in Indigenous cultural safety, Indigenous-specific anti-racism, engagement with Indigenous Peoples and direction in the delivery of nursing care.

The CNS works within the organization’s leadership framework to foster, facilitate, and achieve the highest standards of service delivery, and provides leadership in the planning, development, and implementation of clinical practices that enhance patient and client care. The CNS works closely with the Indigenous Health CNS and Directors to ensure cultural safety, eliminate Indigenous-specific racism, and advance health equity for Indigenous communities. The role also includes consultation and communication with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities across the region through transparent, respectful, and meaningful engagement.

Provides subject matter expertise and consultation in the areas of nursing, resource planning, program and health system improvement, research and professional development to support quality care delivery. Continuously evaluates practice and contributes to the ongoing organizational development of practice knowledge by integrating community knowledge and perspective evaluating research and developing frameworks and strategies. Functions as clinical leader in Rural and Remote healthcare service provision. Advances nursing practice in the area of this specialty through the use of advanced practice and evidence-based research. Works closely with Professional Practice leaders and acts as a liaison between various hospitals and/or community programs to facilitate integration of care across the continuum and reports on professional nursing practice matters.

Provides leadership and consultation to team members and other health care staff, patients/clients and families/significant others. Works collaboratively with Program Managers, Medical Directors, Clinical Educators, Nurse Clinicians, staff nurses, Nation Health Team and community leadership and other members of the interdisciplinary team to pro-actively move nursing practice forward at the regional, provincial, and national levels.

As a Clinical Nurse Specialist, Rural and Remote Nursing with Vancouver Coastal Health you will:

• Serve as a liaison with First Nations, Métis and Inuit and health care leaders to facilitate culturally safe, anti-racist, and meaningful dialogue to improve patient and client experiences and health outcomes for Indigenous Peoples.
• Exemplify excellence in Indigenous cultural safety and Indigenous-specific anti-racism in nursing by providing advanced level nursing expertise and clinical support to a multi-disciplinary health care team.
• Foster ongoing relationships with Indigenous Peoples to ensure the voices of First Nations, Métis and Inuit are represented across VCH programs and services.
• Develop, implement and evaluate evidence, standards and clinical practice guidelines that support culturally relevant healthcare excellence.
• Lead the design and implementation of integrated systems and processes to promote the development of competent staff, support professional and clinical practice, and enhance collaborative working relationships across the continuum of care.
• Lead the development of quality assurance programs within clinical area and collaborates with Operations and Practice Directors to report and recommend the implementation of research with impact to initiatives on nursing practice and job content, staff allocation, training and performance, and budgetary planning.
• Conduct research that is locally relevant, and address community health priorities and inequities to optimize excellence in patient/client care.
• Develop, implement and evaluate clinical and educational programs to advance rural and remote nursing practice.
• Provide leadership and guidance to team members using effective coaching techniques, mentor staff, conduct performance evaluations, enable developmental opportunities, participate in recruitment activities and make final hiring decisions in collaboration with leadership team.
• Provide mentorship and supervision to assist graduate and undergraduate students develop a thorough understanding and skilled use of advanced nursing practices and related competencies.
• Collaborate in the development and promotion of clear guidelines, organizational supports, performance standards and effective processes to assess competencies of staff and students and facilitate continuing development of nursing and allied health professionals in compliance with professional standards as well as codes of ethics.
• Report regularly on status of activity and deliverables to the program Director.
• Work collaboratively and seek input from key partners to help prioritize work to address the needs of the patients and healthcare professionals across Vancouver Coastal Health.
• Maintain knowledge and understanding of Indigenous Health and health care system issues, policy, legislation, trends and research.

Education & Experience

• Masters degree in Nursing; plus current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).
• A minimum of five (5) year’s recent related experience working in a health care setting with a focus in rural and remote care settings, and in a progressive leadership role.
• Pursuant to Section 41 of the BC Human Rights Code, preference may be given to applicants who self-identify as Indigenous (First Nation, Métis, or Inuit). All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.
• Must possess a valid class 5 driver’s license and have access to safe and reliable transportation, to effectively travel between sites and communities we serve.

Knowledge & Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge and demonstrated ability to create a culturally safe environment that actively addresses and eliminates Indigenous-specific racism, along with demonstrated leadership in fostering a respectful, inclusive, motivating, and supportive workplace.
• Demonstrated understanding and in-depth knowledge of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples and history and the ongoing legacy of colonial health harms.
• Demonstrated understanding of provincial and federal guiding legislation, principles and documents, for example In Plain Sight report, and calls to action to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism in the health care sector.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and recognize current health care system gaps and barriers for Indigenous individuals and communities seeking health care.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skill in engagement with Indigenous communities, health leads and Cultural Knowledge Holders.
• Demonstrates respect of relevant protocols, procedures, principles and considerations for engaging with First Nations, Métis and Inuit partners.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively mentor and enact cultural humility for cultural safety.
• Demonstrated extensive knowledge of the Health Standards Organization BC Cultural Safety & Humility Standards and the implementation and accountabilities of the HSO Standards for nursing practice and nursing leadership.
• Effectively collaborates to build relationships that promote the achievement of cooperative goals and contribute to an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect.
• Develops and maintains strong relationships with key internal and external partners to promote and enhance services provided with trauma informed, cuturally safe approach to equity, diversity and indigenous cultural safety.
• Professionally consults to enable the successful sharing of expertise with caregivers, patients/clients, families/significant others, other members of the public, and colleagues.
• Proficiently provides and vigilantly evaluates education/orientation on complex advanced practices and abilities to ensure skills levels are acquired or maintained by team members to meet overall practice and care standards.
• Utilizes clinical evaluation skills to assess needs of the patient/client and their families/significant others.
• Skillfully, and in consultation with academic institutions and professional bodies, identifies/develops discipline specific standards for teaching and education.
• Collaboratively leads in the identification, planning and implementation of ongoing activities to support research initiatives.
• Exhibits advanced verbal, written, and technological communication and presentation skills when disseminating information/advice and/or promoting the use of research findings.
• Applies knowledge of a wide range of cross-cultural and diversity issues within a health care environment.
• Demonstrates resourcefulness and advanced problem-solving skills in managing complex clinical situations with limited on-site resources and without immediate access to specialized support related to geographic distances and remote locations.

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):

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 Canada’s Top 100 Employers, BC’s Top Employers, Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and Canada's Top Employers for Young People in 2026.

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.