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.

PHSA has a responsibility to deliver care to individuals in the provincial correctional system, and a responsibility to ensure that programs and services are free of Indigenous-specific racism. BCMHSUS is committed to the eradication of Indigenous-specific racism, embedding Indigenous Cultural safety and humility, and improving Indigenous health and wellness for those we serve.

The Direct Care Nurse provides trauma-informed, client-centred and culturally safe care to individuals with concurrent psychiatric and/or substance use disorders (SUD) and a wide range of medical conditions, working independently and in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team or direct supervisor. The role delivers direct health care services to clients with a wide range and complexity of acute and chronic conditions, including communicable diseases, substance use disorders, mental health, and general health issues.

The Direct Care Nurse conducts physical, substance use, and psychiatric assessments; refers clients to physicians or other health care providers as appropriate; administers prescribed treatments and medications; and monitors, evaluates, documents, and responds to changes in client condition and behaviour. The role provides counselling, education, and support to individuals and groups using trauma-informed, motivational, and health promotion approaches, and supports discharge and transition planning in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team. All duties are performed through a Trauma-Informed Care framework and Indigenous Cultural Safety lens.

The Direct Care Nurse exercises independent clinical judgment within the scope of professional practice, consulting with the interdisciplinary team or supervisor when client needs exceed individual scope or require escalation. Established protocols for consultation and escalation are followed to ensure safe, high-quality care.

A first in Canada: minimum Nurse to Patient Ratios (mNPRs) are being introduced in B.C.! The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), alongside B.C.'s other regional 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. Learn more at jobs.phsa.ca/mnpr.

Duties/Accountabilities:

1.    Provides direct, trauma-informed and culturally safe nursing care to clients presenting with a wide range and complexity of illnesses and conditions, including communicable diseases, acute and chronic health conditions, substance use, mental health, and general health issues, including clients receiving involuntary treatment under the Mental Health Act in designated spaces within the correctional centre. Conducts physical, substance use, addiction, and psychiatric assessments; collects specimens; refers clients to physicians for further examination; administers prescribed treatments and medications in accordance with established protocols; and monitors, evaluates, and documents client responses, making appropriate clinical adjustments within scope of practice.

2.    Observes, monitors, evaluates, assesses, and documents client progress, symptoms, and behavioral changes and performs a variety of mental health, physical health, and substance use interventions utilizing nursing skills and medical equipment including therapeutic interventions using a variety of modalities. Creates and monitors care planning. Initiates and facilitates intake. Supports and coordinates discharge and transition planning, including follow-up with clients and community partners post-release. The nurse seeks feedback from clients and partners to improve transition processes and outcomes.

3.    Advocates for clients’ rights and well-being, addressing individual and systemic barriers to health equity. The nurse identifies and pursues advocacy issues, including those related to Indigenous health, mental health, and substance use, and supports clients in navigating complex systems.

4.    When caring for clients under the Mental Health Act, the Direct Care Nurse advocates for client rights, ensures accurate documentation, and supports clients in understanding their legal status and available supports. The nurse collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to uphold ethical and legal standards.

5.    Provides counselling, education and group programming support to clients using a trauma informed, motivational and health promotion approach regarding mental health and substance use issues and concerns.

6.    Actively participates in Indigenous Cultural Safety training and engages with Indigenous Elders, cultural advisors, and community partners to inform care planning and delivery. The nurse applies culturally safe practices in all interactions and supports the eradication of Indigenous-specific racism.

7.    Engages in ongoing case management when assigned, including comprehensive assessment, collaborative care planning, implementation of interventions, monitoring of progress, and evaluation of outcomes. The nurse coordinates care across settings and disciplines to ensure continuity and responsiveness to client needs.

8.    Supports patients with psychosocial, life, and personal care skills by methods such as teaching and providing guidance to patients, supervising and participating in routine care of the patients including personal hygiene and maintaining normal body functions; utilizing accepted modalities such as Social Learning Theory, and group therapy; and identifying and pursuing advocacy issues on behalf of patients.

9.    Works collaboratively with other health care professionals, client, family and community in the identification and resolution of physical health, mental health and substance use issues, cultural and language barriers, ethical dilemmas and coordination and integration of care, and makes referrals to other service providers as appropriate.

10.    Maintains accurate computerized and paper records in accordance with established procedures and policies; prepares and maintains statistical information, correspondence, reports, and other documentation. Maintains culturally safe and trauma-informed documentation practices, ensuring that client perspectives and experiences are accurately and respectfully recorded.

11.    Uses appropriate supplies and equipment in accordance with departmental standards and safe care requirements. Problem-solves equipment malfunctions with technical staff. Handles, stores, and disposes of workplace hazardous materials and sharps in accordance with established procedures.

12.    Maintains an awareness of current Occupation Health & Safety guidelines and standards. Responds to incidents such as injuries to staff or visitors, medical emergencies or aggressive clients, hazardous and/or minor spills, aggressive and/or disruptive behaviors; completes incident reporting forms such as the Patient Safety Learning System (PSLS).

13.    Participates in Centre/team/program activities to enhance and optimize the delivery of care and facilitate evidence-based nursing practice. Promotes quality management principles. Identifies and reports unsafe practice/professional conduct in accordance with professional standards and organizational policies.

14.    Applies an evidence-based approach to clinical problem solving through methods such as reviewing relevant literature/resources and applying approved research findings in clinical practice to support the research culture of the organization. Evaluates results in collaboration with interdisciplinary team.

15.    Participates on committees as directed to promote optimal support for clients, to facilitate the resolution of issues, and to advocate for the goals and objectives of the Centre/team/program.

16.    Demonstrates and/or provides guidance on clinical tasks to designated care givers and guides the clinical experience of assigned students and new staff; provides input to the Manager and/or designated as requested on individual's progress in achieving established standards of nursing care.

17.    Maintains standards of nursing practice and develops professional competence through in service, inter-disciplinary case conferences, team meetings and other educational means, as required by the employer.

18.    Maintains ongoing professional development in trauma-informed care, substance use, Indigenous health, and cultural safety. The nurse participates in relevant training, case conferences, and educational activities, and develops a professional growth plan in collaboration with leadership.

19.    Identifies own learning needs, reviews these with the Client Care Coordinator or Health Services Manager and engages in a variety of activities to meet these needs.  Maintains and updates own clinical knowledge within area of practice and develops a plan in collaboration with designated personnel/team for professional development. Reviews progress to ensure that goals are achieved within established time frames.

20.    Performs medication administration, wound care, and other foundational nursing responsibilities in accordance with organizational policies, professional standards, and evidence-based practice. Adapts care to meet individual client needs and seeks consultation or support when required to ensure safe, high-quality care. Supports and coordinates discharge plans for clients, regularly communicates with other members of the health care interdisciplinary team within the Correctional Centre (e.g., physicians, nurses, mental health and substance use professionals and Correctional and Parole/Probation Officers) regarding the anticipated release of clients and their potential needs for transition support.

21.    Works with the inter-professional health care treatment team, BC Corrections staff, and clients about to be released from the Correctional Centre and their involved family members to validate demographic data and health information and determine the nature and extent of needs for community health substance use support services.

22.    Facilitates linkages to a variety of community programs, e.g. Regional Heath Authority services, community health services, substance use services, and other community support services to establish clear transition plans for the client by liaising with key community resources and ensures accurate and complete written information transfer to programs and services across the province of BC.

23.    Performs regular security functions to maintain the safety and security of clients, staff, families and the public at all times and takes immediate action to mitigate risks, as well as reporting all real and potential risk issues. Assesses individual client risk factors and incorporates risk mitigation strategies into clients’ care plans to optimize safety and security for staff, other inmates and the public.
24.    Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience

•    Current practicing registration as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse or a Registered Nurse with the British Columbia College of Nurses & Midwives (BCCNM).
•    Two 2 years’ recent experience providing acute or direct care nursing care/services to clients who have concurrent psychiatric and/or mental health and substance use disorders or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
•    Successful completion of Occupational First Aid II (OFA II) (or OFA III techniques for positions at Ford Mountain Correctional Centre).

Skills and Abilities

•    A Commitment to develop knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents – including Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study – and how they intersect across the health care system.
•    Working knowledge of United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for The Treatment of Prisoners (The Nelson Mandela Rules)
•    Working knowledge of direct care nursing theory including mental health and substance use disorders, treatment, communicable diseases, and practice within a client/family-centered approach.
•    Knowledge of Trauma-Informed Practice and its application to the defined population of clients. Working knowledge of BCCNM's Standards for Nursing Practice.
•    Knowledge of the BC Mental Health Act, criminal code of Canada, other facilities, and community resources.
•    Broad knowledge of the diagnosis and treatment of behavioural, social emotional and mental health/psychiatric issues in adults.
•    Broad knowledge and the ability to recognize and respond appropriately to medical emergencies and conditions such as sepsis, substance use withdrawal, diabetic ketoacidosis, and other acute physical health conditions.
•    Working knowledge of facilitation, mediation, and conflict resolution techniques. Demonstrated ability to adjust to new or unexpected events.
•    Demonstrated case management, teaching/training, clinical support, and consultation skills.
•    Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
•    Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
•    Demonstrated skill in CPR techniques.
•    Skilled in the use of equipment, and in the techniques appropriate for treatment.
•    Basic computer literacy to operate a computerized client care information system and word processing, spreadsheet, Internet and e-mail software.
•    Physical ability to carry out the 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 the week of August 27, 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.