Job Summary:

In accordance with the Purpose, Vision, Values and Coast Salish Teachings, and strategic direction of PHSA, safety, including both patient and employee safety, is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA. As such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

The Nurse Clinician, CAPE, plans and coordinates nursing practice activities such as patient assessment, care planning, patient and family teaching, health promotion, and case management, and acts as an educational resource to the Mental Health Program and the Emergency Department and Inpatient Units of B.C. Children’s Hospital to staff and the community in the defined area of clinical expertise (Child and Adolescent Mental Health) according to established policies, standards, procedures and philosophy at Children’s & Women’s Health Centre of BC.

Duties/Accountabilities:

1.    Completes mental status and psychosocial assessments of mental health patients in the Emergency Department for patients triaged to Mental Health and determines the need for immediate follow up by Psychiatrist or Psychiatric Resident for admittance or for referral to community resources.

2.    Begins the assessment process for patients certified under the Mental Health Act of BC by the emergency room physician or by Vancouver Police Department or RCMP until the patient can be assessed by the Psychiatrist or Psychiatric Resident.

3.    Develops care and treatment plans with final dispositions authorized by the emergency Room Physician or consulting Psychiatrist or Psychiatric Resident and provides general and crisis counseling to patients and their families including brief crisis intervention, referrals to community resources, or Emergency Department Social Worker.

4.    Assesses the patient’s needs in collaboration with the assessment/triage team during the intake procedure to determine patient disposition. Supports the process of admission and transfer to inpatient units by supporting the needs of the patient and their family, providing information to the receiving unit and facilitating transition by sharing emergency treatment outcomes and care plans to the inpatient unit.

5.    Acting as a nursing resource, develops individual patient care plans in conjunction with nursing and medical staff, and other related disciplines in Mental Health, Emergency Department and Inpatient Units, in both the hospital and community setting and resolves problems related to patient care.

6.    Ensures care plans are implemented appropriately by providing just in time assessment and consultation to nursing staff regarding practice, corrects and revises practice as necessary, and coordinates programs and resources to ensure safe practice, skill development and maintenance with respect to mental health patients, to nursing staff across the hospital.

7.    Maintains patient records by collecting and documenting information including health care information regarding patients and their families, nursing observations, telephone communications, interventions, teaching and care evaluations to ensure that the patient records are current and complete. Complete discharge summaries at time of discharge for review by a Physician when appropriate.

8.    Develops, implements, and assesses the effectiveness of individualized care plans for each patient.  Leads and participates as a member of the health care team in facilitating patient care reviews and conferences.  Recommends and implements changes and revisions to individual plans as necessary.

9.    Promotes team work between self and other disciplines in Mental Health, Emergency Department and Inpatient Units in all aspects of the mental health program.

10.    Liaises with appropriate community and professional groups and agencies regarding inpatient child/adolescent mental health through consultation and teaching.

11.    Works with team members to identify plans and develop educational resources that may be used with patients/families for health teaching.

12.    Participates in nursing research; reviews current research and evaluates the implementation of current theory into practice.  Is involved in ongoing education and in-services to maintain high level of knowledge in the area of Child/Adolescent Mental Health

13.    Provides input to the CNC or delegate, regarding policies, procedures and operational requirements within the designated program and provides information which addresses patient and family needs and promote effective use of resources (proposal writing).

14.    Provides direction and participates in quality management /risk management activities related to the nursing practice within the designated program through assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of strategic interventions to improve nursing practice and patient care.

15.    Performs other related duties as required.

Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience
• Graduation from an approved School of Nursing with current practicing registration as an RN or RPN with the British Columbia College of Nurses & Midwives (BCCNM).
• Three (3) years’ recent related experience working with children, adolescents and families on an inpatient child/adolescent mental health unit including one (1) year’s recent related experience in a crisis or emergency psychiatry setting, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Current CPR and CPI training.
Skills and Abilities
• Comprehensive knowledge of emergency triage procedures, mental health assessment, psychopharmacology in children, general counseling principles and interview techniques, crisis theory, concurrent disorders, abnormal psychology, DSM IV diagnosis, de-escalation techniques and knowledge of community resources.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to make decisions in an independent manner in a clinical setting.
• Demonstrated ability to relate effectively and establish rapport with psychotic and crisis-prone adolescents, children and their families.
• Demonstrated ability to participate as a member of a multidisciplinary care team, and function as a nursing resource team member.
• Demonstrated skills in individual, family and group therapy.
• Demonstrated leadership skills.
• Demonstrated organizational ability.
• Demonstrated ability to teach.
• Demonstrated ability to operate related equipment (e.g. personal computer).
• Physical ability to perform duties of the position.

**IMPORTANT INFORMATION**

• NBA internal positions are posted on Tuesdays and Thursdays for a period of 72 hours.
• A selection decision will be made within 7 business days of the posting closing date.
• If an interview is required, you must be available. Interviews are scheduled for January 6 and 8, 2026.
• The successful applicant has 48 hours to accept or decline the position.
• If you will not be available to accept or decline the job offer during the selection process, you must assign a designate that the Hiring Leader may contact during your absence. Please ensure you have clearly identified your designate on your resume or cover letter.
• If you have any questions regarding this new process, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk by email at internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca.