Vancouver Coastal Health
Public health authority delivering patient care
Addiction Clinic Nurse
About the job
- Current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse or Registered Psychiatric Nurse with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives.
- Two years of recent related clinical nursing experience providing care or treatment services to the designated client population through a harm reduction, holistic mental health and substance use, or primary care lens, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives Professional and Practice standards for nursing.
- Demonstrated knowledge of community health nursing theory and practice within a client- and family-centered approach.
- Demonstrated ability to establish workload priorities in a dynamic environment.
- Demonstrated understanding of the impact of social determinants of health on individuals, families, and the community in care provided.
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience in providing culturally safe and competent care.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the impact of colonization on individuals, families, and the Downtown Eastside.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate with site partners in a culturally safe manner, including community-based organizations, community members, and people actively using substances.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain rapport with the client population and other stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to conduct mental status examinations and suicide risk assessments.
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience in trauma-informed practice, harm reduction, and recovery-oriented care.
- Demonstrated knowledge of de-escalation, crisis intervention, and supportive counseling skills.
- Demonstrated knowledge of mental health illness and treatment.
- Demonstrated knowledge of psychopharmacology.
- Demonstrated knowledge of substance use treatment, services, and community resources.
- Demonstrated ability to provide care planning, supportive counseling, crisis intervention, and care coordination.
- Demonstrated knowledge of facilitation, mediation, and conflict-resolution techniques, along with analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
- Demonstrated ability to provide leadership and consultation to the designated client population.
- Demonstrated ability to perform emergency procedures, including overdose response and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- Ability to operate related equipment, including applicable software applications.
- Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
- Provide ongoing health care in an interdisciplinary clinic setting to designated clients with acute and chronic illnesses and diseases, including mental health and substance use conditions, communicable diseases, and general health issues.
- Provide supportive counseling and care to clients who use substances, including clients seeking withdrawal management or stabilization and clients transitioning to other substance use treatment services or housing.
- Establish and coordinate plans of care and support transitions between services.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members, educational resources, and other health care professionals and providers to deliver client-centered care and education.
- Use harm reduction principles to conduct physical and mental health assessments, identify challenges, and address issues in plans of care in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team and other involved health care services.
- Provide direct care by assessing, planning, implementing, evaluating, and documenting client care as part of the interdisciplinary team, and collaborate with other service providers to establish, maintain, and enhance therapeutic relationships based on respect.
About the company
Vancouver Coastal Health is a health care provider in the Vancouver area that delivers patient care and health services. Its offerings come from a team-based system focused on quality care, supported by employer-funded training and career growth opportunities. The organization emphasizes a workplace culture where every voice is heard and collaboration is central, aiming to create a supportive team environment while serving the community. In comparison to competitors, it highlights public healthcare delivery, a strong emphasis on staff development and collaboration, and a clear commitment to accessible patient care. Overall goal: ensure high-quality patient care and better health outcomes by supporting health professionals and fostering a collaborative workplace.
Company Size
5,001-10,000
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Vancouver, Canada
Founded
2001
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Richmond Hospital redevelopment reached RFQ in Sept. 2026; phase two targets 2026 construction.
- VCH settled Indigenous liver-transplant complaints, reducing tribunal risk and improving trust.
- The school vision pilot doubled to about 50 schools across VCH in 2025-2026.
What critics are saying
- Richmond redevelopment costs reached $1.959 billion, up $1.1 billion since 2020-21.
- Small Care Homes depend on retrofits, local approvals, and staffing; delays squeeze 2029 targets.
- Clinician shortages and acute mental-health demand strain VCH, eroding emergency-care quality fastest.
What makes Vancouver Coastal Health unique
- VCH runs North America’s first onsite 3D-printed splints at Vancouver General Hospital, Sept. 2026.
- VCH’s 2026 Small Care Homes model adds 200 beds by 2029 through retrofits.
- VCH’s AI stroke-imaging rollout spans Lions Gate, Sechelt, and qathet General hospitals.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Wellness Program
Mental Health Support
Professional Development Budget
Training Programs
Employee Discounts
Company News
Vancouver General Hospital to make custom splints using 3D printing, saving time. VICTORIA - British Columbia's largest hospital will become the first health care facility in North America to produce custom splints using 3D printing technology on site. Make us a preferred source on Google By Wolfgang Depner The Canadian Press VICTORIA - British Columbia's largest hospital will become the first health care facility in North America to produce custom splints using 3D printing technology on site. Health Minister Ravi Kahlon said Tuesday that printing splints at the hospital would make the process more efficient, faster and accurate, allowing patients to recover more quickly and freeing up time for direct patient care. He said the province's overall health system also needed to become faster and more efficient. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW "But what is perfectly important for us is that our health care professionals... have the flexibility and the tools to be able to use their time to help people in the best way possible," he said. "This type of innovation enables occupational therapists to do that." The Health Ministry said in a news release that traditional custom splints can take up to two hours to make, while a 3D-printed splint takes about 30 minutes of a clinician's time. The process was announced at Vancouver General Hospital, where Kahlon was joined by officials from Vancouver Coastal Health, which is rolling out the technology in collaboration with B.C.-based 3D printing company PolyUnity. Miriam Wickett, occupational therapy practice leader with Vancouver Coastal Health said such innovations were about "supporting patient recovery, helping them maintain their independence and return to the activities that matter most to them." "This new approach allows us to deliver customized, evidence-based splints more efficiently and consistently while freeing up valuable clinical time that can be redirected to patient care," she said in the news release. Kahlon, a former Olympic field hockey player, said splints play a critical role in the rehabilitation of patients with injuries or burns. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW "I can say I'm excited about it because I have had my fair share of splints in my last few years," he said. "For patients, this means you will get customized splints sooner, helping them get treatment earlier and supporting the recovery and mobility and independence." Kahlon said the system is unique in North America, and the government planned to roll out the technology across the province as it continues to look for innovative ways to improve patient care. "It's coming soon to a community near you," he said, without giving a time frame. The minister said the technology would also make the provincial health care system less dependent on international suppliers. Jacqueline Lee, CEO of PolyUnity, said in the news release that custom splinting depended on "skilled hands and limited hours" and demand outpaced what clinics could make with traditional methods. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW She said the firm has worked with Vancouver Coastal Health to create a digital workflow. "Clinicians measure the way they always have. We handle the design, the fabrication and the regulatory responsibility," she said. "What it changes is simple: More people will now be able to receive a custom splint." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 15, 2026. The Canadian Press
What's next for 900 Helmcken? Vancouver Residents Forum set for September 16. By 604 Now · September 14, 2026 The proposed overdose prevention site at 900 Helmcken Street has been cancelled. However, neighbours say the conversation about the property's future is far from over. On Wednesday, September 16, residents and business owners will gather for a Residents Forum focused on what comes next. Organized by Neighbours of 900 Helmcken, the evening will bring together local residents, elected officials, police leadership and community speakers. An open Q&A will also give attendees an opportunity to raise questions. Doors open at 5:00pm, with the program beginning at 6 pm in the hotel's Pavilion Ballroom. The proposal has been cancelled. What happens now? The B.C. government confirmed in August that the proposed overdose prevention site at 900 Helmcken would not proceed. The decision followed opposition from nearby residents, businesses and the City of Vancouver. Since then, attention has shifted to the property's future. Vancouver Coastal Health has said it will work with the Ministry of Health and the City to develop alternative programming for the location. Potential uses include treatment and recovery supports and long-term wellness programs, according to reporting by Ha-Shilth-Sa. For the forum's organizers, that makes continued community involvement essential. They want clarity about what could operate at the address and how neighbours will participate in decisions. "This week's news was worth celebrating, but cancelling the 900 Helmcken site is a beginning, not an ending," the group wrote in an update following the announcement. Residents want a voice in the next steps. In its correspondence with neighbours, the group says it wants a genuine say in what comes next. It also maintains its opposition to the location for the services originally proposed. The aim is to reach residents who want to learn more, ask questions or share their perspectives on the neighbourhood's future. Who is speaking? According to the organizers' latest update, confirmed speakers include: * Mayor Ken Sim * VPD Chief Constable Steve Rai * Dr. Julian Somers, clinical psychologist and SFU professor * Dr. Kevin Sabet * Royce Chwin, Destination Vancouver * Jane Talbot, Downtown Vancouver BIA * Local residents and business owners Organizers have also invited B.C. Minister of Health Ravi Kahlon and Vancouver Coastal Health. Their attendance has not been confirmed at the time of publishing. How to attend the Residents Forum. The forum takes place in the Pavilion Ballroom at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre, 1000 Burrard Street. Doors open at 5:00pm, giving attendees an hour before the 6:00pm program begins. There will be refreshments available, and organizers say hotel parking will be free from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. Residents can also send questions or comments to [email protected]. 900 Helmcken Residents Forum * When: Wednesday, September 16, 2026 * Doors: 5:00pm * Program: 6:00pm, with an open Q&A to follow * Where: Pavilion Ballroom, Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre * Address: 1000 Burrard Street, Vancouver * Parking: Free hotel parking from 5:00pm to 8:00pm * Registration: Register online or on-site
Making sustainability part of everyday Quality Improvement. This toolkit launch event is presented by CASCADES in partnership with Vancouver Coastal Health, Interior Health, and Health Quality BC. The Sustainability-Embedded Quality Improvement (SE-QI) Toolkit(link is external) is a practical resource that brings environmental sustainability into the core of quality. Co-developed through a leading collaboration between Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), Interior Health (IH), Health Quality BC (HQBC), and CASCADES, the toolkit reflects shared expertise and real-world innovation across health systems working to deliver high-quality, low-carbon care. It supports teams to identify, measure, and report environmental impacts within new, current, or past projects, making sustainability actionable within existing QI efforts. Tested and validated through a national pilot involving 14 healthcare organizations across six provinces in Canada, the SE-QI Toolkit has demonstrated strong usability, feasibility, and relevance in practice. The session will also introduce the SE-QI Spotlight, a growing pan-Canadian repository of real-world SE-QI examples designed to support shared learning, reduce duplication, and help teams see how sustainability can be embedded across diverse clinical and organizational contexts. In this session, participants will be introduced to the updated Toolkit and Spotlight, hear early adoption experiences from across the country, and explore how to embed sustainability into their own improvement initiatives in a practical and meaningful way. Friday, June 26, 2026 - 13:00 1:00-2:00 pm Internal/External: External Link: Event Type: Online via Zoom
Small Care Homes to support aging population. Published on March 26, 2026 HN Summary - Vancouver Coastal Health is launching Small Care Homes, a home-like long-term care model for seniors. - The approach provides personalized, 24/7 care in smaller settings, improving quality of life and relationships. - VCH plans to add 200 beds by 2029, helping seniors stay in their communities. Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is introducing a new model of long-term care designed to better support the region's growing and increasingly complex aging population. Known as Small Care Homes, the approach focuses on delivering more personalized, home-like care environments that emphasize dignity, autonomy and meaningful connection to community. Small Care Homes are licensed long-term care residences created within existing houses that have been adapted to meet accessibility and clinical care requirements. Each home typically accommodates up to 10 residents and features private bedrooms alongside shared living spaces such as kitchens, dining areas, laundry facilities and outdoor spaces. The goal is to create an environment that feels familiar and comfortable - more like a home than an institution. "Small Care Homes offer seniors the dignity, comfort and sense of belonging that come from living in a more home-like setting," said Health Minister Josie Osborne. "They are an important part of B.C.'s continuum of seniors' care, bridging the gap between independent living and long-term care, and providing the right level of support as people's needs change." The model is designed to support seniors who require full-time care but want to remain in environments that feel personal and connected to their lives. By locating homes in communities of all sizes - urban, suburban and rural - VCH aims to help individuals stay close to loved ones, maintain cultural connections and continue participating in their communities for as long as possible. The first three Small Care Homes are expected to open in spring 2026, marking the beginning of a broader rollout across the region. Residents in Small Care Homes will receive around-the-clock clinical care while also taking part in daily routines and activities tailored to their abilities and preferences. The smaller scale of the homes allows for more flexibility in care delivery, helping to create a sense of normalcy and purpose for residents. Familiar environments can also play a significant role in improving emotional well-being. Research shows that smaller, more personalized care settings can reduce feelings of isolation and anxiety, particularly for seniors living with cognitive decline. By integrating care into a home-like setting, Small Care Homes aim to foster stronger social connections and a greater sense of belonging. The model also has implications for care providers. Smaller, consistent staffing teams make it easier to build trusting relationships with residents, which can lead to better care outcomes and a more positive work environment. VCH notes that this approach may also improve staff satisfaction and retention - an ongoing challenge across the health-care sector. "Small Care Homes are an innovative concept that enables Vancouver Coastal Health to rapidly expand long-term care capacity while creating personalized, familiar and culturally safe home environments that improve individuals' health outcomes and emotional well-being," said Yasmin Jetha, Vice-President, Community Services at VCH. In partnership with BC Housing, VCH plans to create 200 new beds through this model by 2029, significantly increasing capacity while offering a different type of care experience than traditional facilities. Another key advantage of Small Care Homes is the speed and efficiency with which they can be established. By retrofitting existing houses rather than constructing large-scale institutional buildings, projects can be completed more quickly and with less disruption to surrounding communities. This approach also reduces environmental impact and construction-related costs, making it a more sustainable option for expanding long-term care. VCH is working closely with a range of partners - including BC Housing, local governments, Indigenous communities and philanthropic organizations - to identify suitable locations and ensure the homes reflect the needs and values of the communities they serve. This collaborative approach is intended to support culturally safe care and ensure that services are responsive to diverse populations. Once operational, Small Care Homes will complement and expand the existing continuum of care offered by VCH. They are part of the Province of British Columbia's broader strategy to strengthen long-term care services by introducing more flexible, community-based options that allow seniors to age in place whenever possible. Advocates say the model aligns with what many seniors and families are looking for in long-term care. "These homes help ensure that seniors can live in familiar, comfortable settings where they feel valued, connected and supported," said Susie Chant, Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors' Services and Long-Term Care. "But it's about more than adding spaces - it's about creating environments that truly feel like home." B.C. Seniors Advocate Dan Levitt echoed that sentiment, noting that Small Care Homes provide a practical and compassionate response to increasing demand for long-term care. "Small Care Homes are the ideal solution for seniors who need full-time care and also want to age in a comfortable home in the neighbourhoods where they have lived, often for decades," he said. "They are an innovative, pragmatic option that rightly prioritizes the well-being of older adults." As demand for seniors' care continues to grow, VCH's Small Care Homes model represents a shift toward more personalized, community-based care - one that balances clinical needs with quality of life, and recognizes that where care is delivered can be just as important as how it is delivered.
School-Based Vision Assessment Pilot returns to Vancouver Coastal Health region. Mar 09, 2026, 15:39 ET VANCOUVER, BC, March 9, 2026 /CNW/ - Following encouraging outcomes from its first year, a school-based vision assessment pilot program is set to continue in the Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) region for a second consecutive year, with expanded reach and an enhanced delivery model, starting today. A joint initiative from the BC Doctors of Optometry (BCDO) and Vancouver Coastal Health, this year introduces a structured two-step model: in-school vision screening for students, followed by on-site eye exams given by an optometrist for children who screen positive. Early identification and timely care help detect vision issues sooner, supporting children's learning and protecting their eyesight for the future. Highlights from the First Year From April 8 to June 18, 2025, the pilot reached 17 schools across six school districts within the VCH region. A team of nine optometrists conducted a total of 892 eye exams for students in Kindergarten and Grade 1. Of the children screened, 216 (24%) were referred for further evaluation. The majority of referrals were for vision problems requiring glasses, affecting 169 students (19%). Thanks to the program, 155 children received free glasses to support their vision needs. "Undetected vision issues are far more common than many people realize, and can impact a child's learning and classroom experience," said Dr. Danielle Campbell, optometrist and chair of BCDO's Children's Vision Steering Committee. Looking ahead Building on last year's progress, the pilot will more than double its reach during the 2025/2026 school year, involving approximately 50 schools across the Vancouver Coastal Health region. This ongoing work will provide valuable insights into how school-based vision screening can contribute to children's eye health across the region. "We had great feedback from last year's pilot and were able to provide accessible eye care in many areas where we know this can be a challenge." said Dr. Ceinwen Pope, Medical Health Officer, Vancouver Coastal Health. "There are still many gaps in children getting comprehensive eye exams before school entry, and hope the pilot programs can help move forward vision health in our region." Encouraging Regular Eye Care The Early Childhood Vision Assessment Pilot represents an important step toward ensuring children across British Columbia have the opportunity to start school with the best possible vision and a strong foundation for lifelong eye health. Routine eye exams remain an important part of maintaining children's vision health. Even if children show no obvious signs of vision problems, regular check-ups help ensure any issues are caught as early as possible. To locate an optometrist nearby, families can visit bc.doctorsofoptometry.ca/find-a-doctor. About BC Doctors of Optometry BC Doctors of Optometry (BCDO) is a member-based, not-for-profit association representing more than 800 optometrists across British Columbia. BCDO is dedicated to enhancing the profession of optometry, supporting its members, and advocating for improved patient eye care and outcomes. For more information, visit https://bc.doctorsofoptometry.ca. About Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is committed to delivering exceptional care to 1.25 million people, including the First Nations, Métis and Inuit within the traditional territories of the Heiltsuk, Kitasoo-Xai'xais, Lil'wat, Musqueam, N'Quatqua, Nuxalk, Samahquam, shíshálh, Skatin, Squamish, Tla'amin, Tsleil-Waututh, Wuikinuxv, and Xa'xtsa. Learn more at vch.ca. SOURCE BC Doctors of Optometry For media inquiries, please contact: Emily Clark, [email protected].