Mental Health and Substance Use Outreach Nurse (RNRPN) Assertive Treatment Team (ACT)

Come work as a Mental Health and Substance Use Outreach Nurse at Vancouver ACT with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)! Apply now to join the team!

Position works as part of an interdisciplinary team to provide triage and outreach services that are inclusionary and flexible for individuals with mental illness substance use and/or chronic medical conditions.

Conducts mental and physical status assessments and assesses the clients physiological psychological sociocultural and spiritual needs to determine priority of care requirements based on client needs availability of resources and best practices. Provides counseling and assists client with reducing repeated contact with and use of acute and community healthcare services/programs/resources. Assesses high risk situations and provides crisis intervention.

Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to develop implement and adjust the clients care plan to meet the clients need for integrated services and continuity of care across the continuum. Facilitates the movement of clients between acute care community agency support site and designated health centre. Participates in case conferences/meetings with members of the interdisciplinary team. Assists clients with attendance to needed services such as medical appointments.

Practices in accordance with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) standards (professional & practice) and code of ethics for registered nurses or registered psychiatric nurses. Practices within the scope of practice as set by the organization as per VCH policies and guidelines/clinical practice documents and within own competence. This practice is aligned with the vision mission goals and values of the organization as well as with the concept of the resident/client and family centred care model.

Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)

ACT is a team-based person-centered service delivery model that combines treatment rehabilitation and support services using transdisciplinary team-based care as a community alternative to psychiatric hospitalization. These teams provide intensive specific and continuous services to meet the needs of individuals living with serious and persistent mental health and/or substance use challenges who have not benefited from traditional outpatient programs. ACT teams bring health care and life-skills support to clients all of whom would have challenges accessing health care and other social supports. ACT uses a trauma informed approach to promote recovery through community-based treatment and rehabilitation. The ACT team strives to support clients to maintain wellness in the community reduce the number of client contacts with police access substance use supports and harm reduction and improve the quality of life for clients.

Education and 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 experience working with individuals with mental health and substance use issues or an equivalent combination of education training and experience.
• Valid BC Drivers License and access to a personal vehicle for business-related purposes as required.

Knowledge and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of a client and family centered recovery model in mental illness and substance use.
• Broad knowledge of crisis intervention and counseling skills.
• Broad knowledge of mental health illness and substance use treatment.
• Broad knowledge of psychopharmacology (indication and side effects).
• Broad knowledge of substance abuse and substance use treatment.
• Broad knowledge of other facilities and community resources.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct psychiatric assessments.
• Demonstrated ability to provide treatment planning counseling crisis intervention and case coordination.
• Demonstrated skill in CPR techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with clients and their families colleagues physicians and other health care staff both one-on-one and in groups.
• Demonstrated listening and information seeking skills that promotes communication and lead to a cooperative approach to problem solving within a interdisciplinary setting.
• Demonstrated ability to establish workload priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to adjust schedule to deal with unexpected situations.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated ability to provide consultation and leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve.
• Demonstrated ability to deal effectively with conflict situations.
• Ability to operate related equipment.
• Basic computer literacy to operate a computerized client care information system and word processing Internet and email software.
• 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 BCs Top Employers Canadas Best Diversity Employers and Canadas 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 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.