Registered Nurse/registered Psychiatric Nurse, Inpatient Psychiatry Unit

1. Assesses, plans, implements and evaluates nursing care of assigned patients. Identifies actual or potential problems and strengths through nursing diagnosis, plans interventions, performs planned interventions and evaluates outcomes.
2. Actively participates in and supports the total therapeutic program of the Unit.
3. Collects information from a variety of sources using skills of observation, communication and physical assessment to enable the provision of appropriate nursing care.
4. Writes timely and accurate reports of relevant assessments and observations including patient and family education and evaluation of nursing care.
5. Communicates and consults with members of the health care team about patients' care; sets priorities, assigns and delegates tasks to support staff; participates in interprofessional conferences; explains plan of care to patients and their family.
6. Acts as an advocate to protect and promote the patients' rights to autonomy, respect, privacy, dignity and access to information.
7. Participates in quality improvement activities and research by identifying patient care issues and collecting data.
8. Participates as an active member on nursing and hospital committees and councils for improvement of patient care and/or work environment.
9. Participates in the orientation and ongoing education of nursing staff and students by providing information and acting as a preceptor or mentor as appropriate. Identifies self-learning needs and attends educational programs to maintain and enhance clinical competency.
10. Participates in the evaluation of patient care programs, techniques, standards and procedures by providing feedback about effectiveness and patient care outcomes.
11. Maintains a safe environment for patients, families and staff by adhering to established safety and emergency practices and procedures.
12. Performs other professionally related duties as required.

Graduation from an approved School of Nursing with current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse and/or Registered Psychiatric Nurse with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).

May require completion of substance use certificate program.

• Ability to complete initial and ongoing mental health and substance use client assessment and provide nursing care through appropriate/prescribed technical, therapeutic, safety type interventions including crisis intervention.
• Knowledge of mental illness and substance use treatment.
• Knowledge of psychopharmacology (indications and side-effects).
• Counselling and group facilitation skills.
• Knowledge of legislation and government policies and procedures that relate to mental health and substance use practices.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with patients, families/care givers, the public, medical staff and members of the interprofessional care team.
• Ability to promote person-centered care that demonstrates empathy for patients/families/care givers, sensitivity to diverse cultures and preferences, including advocacy for special populations.
• Ability to educate patients and families/care givers about topics essential to their health care and well-being.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work.
• Ability to collaborate with and promote cooperation among members of the interprofessional care team.
• Ability to use factual information and basic principles and procedures to support nursing decisions and actions with relevant research-based evidence/evidence-informed practice.
• Ability to operate related equipment including relevant computer applications.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.