Job Description

minimum Nurse to Patient Ratios (mNPRs)

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.

Salary Details

The salary range for this position is CAD $41.42/Hr. - CAD $55.91/Hr.

Job Summary

Come work as a Emerging Response Outreach Nurse with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) on the Substance Use & Priority Population Team in Vancouver, BC. Apply now to join our team!

Within the context of a client and family centered care model, works as part of an interdisciplinary team to provide outreach services to vulnerable/marginalized clients (across the age span) and communities most impacted by emerging public health issues including the overdose response, climate related emergencies, emerging pathogens/communicable diseases in addition to a range of urgent/emerging crises with health impacts. Physical work locations will also vary and may include community health work sites such as community health centres, mental health team offices, shelters as well as the physical location/offices or sites of other community based organizations in areas where priority populations are located. Provides frontline primary health care supports to clients in the form of immediate assessment, intervention and treatment, sexual health screening and appropriately prioritizes referrals to other services and longer term care. Provides harm reduction education, counseling and support from a nursing perspective on issues relating to substance use including facilitating referrals to access a range of pharmaceutical alternatives to the toxic street drug supply, coordinating prescribing access for substance use with community based clinicians. Distributes harm reduction supplies and collaborates with other community-based agencies and partners such as VCH Vancouver Community services, VCH Public Health, City of Vancouver and BC Housing among others to reach high risk populations. Identifies health issues, behaviours, needs, barriers and challenges for at-risk populations. Works collaboratively in team settings to develop creative strategies to address the challenges and participates in research projects and surveys, as required.Practices in accordance with established standards as outlined by the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses/Psychiatric Nurses, as well as within the VCH vision and values, policies, standards.

Qualifications

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 community and/or outreach experience providing nursing care such as assessment, treatment, outreach support, communicable disease and/or sexual health screening using the principles of harm reduction for clients living in the inner city with multiple health and/or social challenges, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Valid BC Driver's License.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Broad knowledge of nursing theory and practice within a client-centered approach.
• Knowledge of community development and health promotion principles and practices.
• Knowledge of communicable disease control practices, including immunization protocols, and infection control principles and practices.
• Maintains a non-judgmental attitude towards problematic substance use through their recovery.
• Broad knowledge of behavior management and ability to utilize non-violent strategies in a trauma informed manner.
• Broad knowledge of BCCNM Standards for Practice for Nursing Practice.
• Broad knowledge of harm reduction, mental health, substance use, addictions, trauma informed approaches and Indigenous cultural safety to client care.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a culturally diverse population including Indigenous communities and sexual minorities.
• Broad knowledge of other conditions treated in primary care settings including chronic diseases, infectious diseases (e.g. hepatitis, HIV/AIDs), wound care and infections.
• Broad knowledge of community resources and services.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with clients and their families, health care staff and community partners.
• Demonstrated case management, teaching/training, clinical support.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze situations, problem solve and facilitate resolutions.
• Demonstrated listening and information seeking skills that promotes communication and lead to a cooperative approach to problem solving within an interdisciplinary setting.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, take initiative, be flexible, and work both independently and collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and make nursing practices decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to manage aggressive and suicidal behavior.
• Demonstrated ability to assess client responses to care, and to respond appropriately.
• Broad knowledge of facilitation, mediation, and conflict resolution techniques, analytical and problem solving.
• Demonstrates ability to adjust to new or unexpected events. support new program, site policies and guidelines.
• Demonstrated de-escalation and conflict resolution skills.
• Demonstrated ability to provide consultation, leadership and work direction.
• Demonstrated skill in CPR techniques.
• Ability to operated related equipment including applicable software applications.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

Closing Statement

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 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.