Full-Time
Mental Health & Substance Use Nurse
MHSU Outpatient Services
Vancouver Coastal Health
5,001-10,000 employees
Public health authority delivering patient care
Compensation Overview
CA$41.42 - CA$55.91/hr
Vancouver, BC, Canada
In Person
 Medical, Clinical & Veterinary (1) |
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- Current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse or Registered Psychiatric Nurse with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives.
- Three years of recent related experience working with adults with mental health and substance use issues, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
- Demonstrated ability in nursing practice related to outpatient clients with severe and persistent psychiatric illness.
- Demonstrated knowledge of concurrent disorders, substance use and abuse, and harm reduction strategies including assessment and intervention.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the principles and practices of conceptual models of psychiatric care, including person and family centered care, trauma-informed care, the recovery model in mental illness, and psychosocial rehabilitation methodology.
- Demonstrated knowledge of counselling theories related to Dialectical Behavior Theory and cognitive behavioral theory.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the Mental Health Act as it applies to the rights and obligations of clients and staff.
- Demonstrated knowledge of community, social and mental health resources.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the impact of social, cultural, and family systems on health outcomes.
- Demonstrated ability to provide nursing assessments and interventions, including facilitating group processes, conflict resolution, crisis interventions, and individual and group counselling.
- Demonstrated ability to plan and implement care plans and anticipate and respond to potential complications and care issues relevant to the designated client group.
- Demonstrated ability to participate in the development and delivery of educational programs and materials for clients and families based on education theories, principles, and best practices.
- Demonstrated ability to identify emotional, social, or environmental barriers and intervene to eliminate stigma.
- Demonstrated ability to document client care on appropriate systems and forms in accordance with organizational and unit standards in a timely and accurate manner.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively manage conflict situations and aggressive behavior and use non-violent crisis intervention and behavioral management techniques.
- Demonstrated skill in performing an autonomous scope of practice and standards of care relevant to the designated client population.
- Demonstrated skill in clinical techniques and the use of applicable equipment and supplies.
- Provide short-term assessment, treatment, intake, triage, and crisis intervention for individuals with mental health and substance use issues.
- Assess clients’ physiological, psychological, sociocultural, and spiritual needs to determine priority of care based on client needs, resource availability, and best practices.
- Provide therapeutic support and connect clients to appropriate community healthcare services, programs, and resources to reduce repeated contact with acute healthcare services.
- Assess high-risk situations and provide crisis intervention.
- Collaborate and participate with the multidisciplinary team, clients, and families to develop, implement, and adjust client care plans and meet clients’ needs for integrated services and continuity of care across the continuum.
- Provide assessment, consultation, and time-limited group therapy treatment for adults aged 19 and older.
- Provide short-term services and treatment of up to six months for adults experiencing moderate to severe mental health or concurrent mental health and substance use disorders.
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
- VCH expanded school vision pilots on March 9, 2026, to roughly 50 schools.
- BC News on January 14, 2026, gave Access Central VCH a seven-day addictions intake line.
- Shoreline adjacent MAID space opened in 2025, eliminating St. Paul's transfer delays.
What critics are saying
- VGH diverted severe trauma patients on March 3, 2026, exposing chronic OB/GYN staffing gaps.
- The O'Neill MAID lawsuit, argued April 2026, keeps VCH in constitutional crosshairs.
- If Richmond Hospital slips past 2029, VCH still lacks beds while demand rises.
What makes Vancouver Coastal Health unique
- VCH’s Small Care Homes, launched March 26, 2026, bundle 24/7 care into ten-resident houses.
- VCH Richmond Hospital redevelopment selected Graham and HDR on February 25, 2025, adding 113 beds.
- SE-QI Toolkit, launched June 26, 2026, embeds sustainability into quality-improvement workflows.
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Company News
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].
VCH recognized for quality care by Health Quality BC. Health Quality BC (HQBC) has announced the 16th Annual BC Quality Awards, which recognizes and celebrates the people and teams dedicated to making a difference in health care across British Columbia. This year, Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) swept the Sustainable Health Care category and was named Runner-Up in the Returning to Health & Wellness category. Learn more about the BC Quality Awards and see the full list of winners and runners-up on Health Quality BC. Reduction of preoperative group and screen testing for elective surgical patients. Winner - Achievement in Sustainable Health Care This initiative is a patient-centred innovation that has transformed surgical care at Vancouver General Hospital and UBC Hospital by eliminating thousands of unnecessary preoperative blood tests annually. During the project and at the time of nomination, the initiative prevented more than 4,000 unnecessary patient trips for preoperative testing, reduced group and screen-testing orders by 60 per cent at Vancouver General Hospital and 80 per cent at UBC Hospital, and saved more than $106,019 in direct health system costs. Intravenous to oral antimicrobial switch: A win for patients and the planet. Runner-Up - Achievement in Sustainable Health Care The VCH ASPIRES (Antimicrobial Stewardship Programme: Innovation, Research, Education, and Safety) team found that in scenarios where an antimicrobial can be given intravenously or orally, and the effect is the same, switching to oral therapy demonstrates how planetary health considerations can align with better clinical outcomes. Universal syphilis testing in an urban Emergency Department: A pilot project. Runner-Up - Returning to Health & Wellness Syphilis rates in the VCH region have been rising steadily, disproportionately affecting certain neighborhoods and unsuccessfully engaged populations. A universal syphilis screening pilot was launched by VCH Public Health at St. Paul's Hospital Emergency Department to detect infections earlier, as well as make testing more accessible, culturally safe and stigma-free. Through routine testing and a dedicated Public Health communicable disease outreach team, the initiative was able to identify more syphilis cases and improve outcomes for patients, ultimately returning more people to health and wellness.
DULF also worked with Vancouver Coastal Health to offer other harm reduction services, including drug checking and an overdose prevention site where people could use drugs and have someone intervene if there was a medical emergency.