Provide crisis intervention and stabilization for clients with mental health and/or alcohol and drug use crises.
Conduct nursing and clinical assessments for clients presenting in person, by referral, or via the Crisis Services Network.
Coordinate the flow of care by liaising with health care and social services professionals and organizations.
Provide consultation and referral for clients.
Participate in quality assurance activities and projects.
Continuously improve quality and safety as a shared responsibility.
Maintain appropriate collection, use, disclosure, and protection of information in accordance with Island Health privacy and confidentiality policies.
Operate related equipment including computers and software
Requirements summary
Graduation from a recognized nursing program related to psychiatric nursing and/or mental illness (or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience).
Registration with BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) as a practicing RN or practicing RPN.
Two (2) years recent related experience in mental health, alcohol and drug use/withdrawal management, and concurrent disorder issues (or equivalent combination).
Valid BC Class 5 Driver's License.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
Ability to work independently and cooperatively in multidisciplinary settings.
Ability to apply nursing process per BCCNM Standards of Practice and demonstrate clinical competence congruent with crisis intervention and drug use/withdrawal management.
Knowledge of applicable legislation (Mental Health Act, Guardianship Act).
Ability to apply evidence-informed practice.
Ability to ensure privacy, information sharing, and confidentiality compliance.
Ability to operate related equipment (computers and software).
Consent to RCMP security clearance if assigned to a program partnered with RCMP
Graduation from a recognized nursing program related to psychiatric nursing and/or mental illness (or equivalent combination of education, training and experience)Multidisciplinary teamworkEvidence-informed practiceConsensus buildingTact and empathyTime and resource managementCrisis intervention and stabilizationKnowledge of Mental Health Act and Guardianship ActCommunication (verbal and written)Nursing and clinical assessmentsConsultation and referralCare coordination and liaising with multidisciplinary teamsQuality assurance activities and projectsIndependent work with limited supervisionSound judgement and strong observation/assessment skills
Job description
Close Date Jun. 14 2026 Location Nanaimo Wentworth Street - Mental Health (NWWS) - Nanaimo, BC V9R 3E4 CA (Primary) Work Area (FBA Only) Multi-Site No Travel Requirement Travel between multiple sites is a regular/on-going requirement Shift Start Time/End Time 08:30-19:03 09:00-19:03 & 11:00-21:33, 12:00-22:30, Days Off Rotating Vacancy Type Regular FT Salary Range (Hourly Rate) $41.42 - $59.52 Paid FTE 1.0 Worked BI-WEEKLY HOURS 75.0 Planned Start Date Aug. 2 2026 Approximate End Date (For Temporary Assignments ONLY) Pending Return of Incumbent No CRC required? (employee will be working with or have access to children or vulnerable adults and requires a Criminal Record Check) Required for Professional Registration
Job Description
In accordance with the Vision, Purpose, and Values, and strategic direction of the Vancouver Island Health Authority (Island Health) patient and staff safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone; as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position. Reporting to the Coordinator, the Crisis Services Nurse works as a member of a multidisciplinary care team in a variety of settings in the community, providing crisis intervention and stabilization, nursing and clinical assessments, consultation and referral for clients presenting in person, by referral or via the Crisis Services Network with mental health and/or alcohol and drug use crisis. The Crisis Services Nurse coordinates the flow of care for clients by liaising with a range of health care and social services professionals and organizations and carries out quality assurance activities and projects. Travel may be a requirement of this position. If applicable, transportation arrangements must meet the operational requirements of Island Health in accordance with the service assignment, and the incumbent must be able to operate a motor vehicle.
Qualifications
Education, Training And Experience
Graduation from a recognized nursing program related to psychiatric nursing and/or mental illness, or evidence of an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Registration with BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) as a practicing RN registrant or a practicing RPN registrant; and
Two (2) years recent related experience in mental health, alcohol and drug use/withdrawal management and concurrent disorder issues, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience; and
Valid BC Class 5 Driver's License. The position may be assigned to a program that is in partnership with the RCMP. Applicant must consent to RCMP security clearance as per operational requirements of working alongside RCMP Officer(s). Skills And Abilities
Conflict resolution and problem-solving
Integrating and evaluating data from multiple sources
Continuing professional development
Triage and assessments for mental health and alcohol/drug use/withdrawal
Applying nursing process per BCCNM Standards of Practice
Privacy, information sharing, and confidentiality compliance
Operating related equipment (computers and software)
RCMP security clearance consent (if assigned to RCMP partnership program)
Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Ability to work independently in a variety of traditional and non-traditional settings, demonstrating initiative, with limited supervision.
Ability to work cooperatively and effectively as a multidisciplinary health care team, with other staff, other programs/organizations and with clients.
Ability to deal with others effectively, fostering and promoting positive change, independence and good public relations.
Ability to utilize sound judgement, strong observation and assessment skills, tact, and empathy.
Ability to resolve conflict, problem-solve, build consensus and apply organizational and teaching skills.
Ability to manage time and resources, fostering collaboration across disciplines, and care settings.
Ability to integrate and evaluate data from multiple sources to support decision-making and problem-solving.
Ability to maintain a commitment to continuing professional development as required by the employer.
Ability to demonstrate working knowledge of applicable legislation, such as the Mental Health Act and the Guardianship Act.
Knowledge of available programs, their interrelationships, and their function in delivering care in the community to persons with mental illnesses, substance use and/or concurrent disorders.
Knowledge of mental health and alcohol and drug use/withdrawal management triage and assessments, crisis intervention strategies, the change process, and community dynamics.
Ability to apply nursing process as required and described in BC College of Nurses and Midwives Standards of Practice.
Ability to demonstrate clinical competence congruent with crisis intervention and drug use/withdrawal management.
Ability to apply evidence-informed practice, drawing on nursing, health-related disciplines, and relevant research.
Ability to ensure the appropriate collection, use, disclosure, and protection of information in accordance with Island Health privacy, information sharing, and confidentiality policies.
Ability to operate related equipment, including computers and software. Link to Full Job Description https://jd.viha.ca/JD1913.pdf Additional information for applicants A first in Canada: minimum Nurse to Patient Ratios (mNPRs) are here in BC! Island Health, alongside BC's other health authorities, is implementing mNPRs as a transformative staffing initiative that aims to improve the working environment of nurses in order to provide better quality care to our patients. Additional Clauses BCNU: PLEASE NOTE: THIS POSITION WILL BE POSTED FOR 72 HOURS. NOTE CLOSING DATE. Recent negotiations with the Nurses Bargaining Association (NBA) have resulted in changes to the hiring language in the Collective Agreement ( Article 18.01- First Consideration). The internal application process for nurse postings has been changed to ensure that you are aware of the need to provide the following relevant information with your application (within your Cover Letter and/or Resume). 1) Qualifications (Education & Experience): Please list how you meet the qualification requirements as noted in the job posting. 2) Qualifications (Skills & Abilities): Please explain how you meet each of the critical unit specific skills and abilities to work successfully in this position on this unit. Refer to the Job Posting for Skills & Abilities. The change to application process will help managers determine if internal applicants meet education and experience qualifications, and have the necessary unit skills and abilities contained in the job description. Requisition CA Nurses Bargaining Association Affiliation/Union BCNU
