Registered Nurse (RN) / Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN), Okanagan Correctional Centre (OCC), Oliver BC - Correctional Health Services

Registered Nurse (RN) / Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) 
BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services
Oliver, BC

As of April 1, 2024, this position may qualify for a one-time recruitment incentive up to $15,000, $20,000 or $30,000 (subject to funding availability). To learn more about this incentive and if you qualify, please contact Talent Acquisition Advisor Renate Coyle at renate.coyle@phsa.ca.

If you are an RN or RPN who works with compassion and care while practicing trauma-informed care. You’re seeking a meaningful role that provides challenge, variety, and the opportunity to make an impact on others’ lives. As someone who is seeking to better your own practice through others, you appreciate your interdisciplinary team members and enjoy collaborating on complex care issues, using trauma informed practice, harm reduction, and Indigenous Cultural Safety.

Working at the Okanagan Correctional Centre, you’ll join an incredible team of dedicated employees, who have amazing things to say about living in the Okanagan and working with Correctional Health Services: “The South Okanagan is a welcoming and vibrant community, and the Okanagan Correctional Centre is no less welcoming to newcomers. There is always someone to turn to for help here when needed, kindness is forefront here! All are made to feel like a valuable part of our team.”

This is a 312,000 square foot, state-of-the-art, high-security correctional facility with 11 living units and 378 cells. What makes this facility one of a kind is that this is the first facility to be built through a private partnership on First Nations land.

What is Correctional Health Services?

Correctional Health Services (CHS) is a province-wide, specialized program providing care for clients who are incarcerated in one of British Columbia’s 10 provincial correctional centres. We believe everyone deserves a chance to access health care treatments and to heal, and CHS offers a non-judgmental place to help make that happen for our clients with complex needs, ensuring the provision of the same level of health care as offered throughout the province.

Learn about working as a member of the Correctional Health Services team:  https://youtu.be/Ye325fLCgJQ

Watch this video to learn about working with BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDUzW-T1Ntg

What you’ll do

• Provide direct trauma informed health care services to clients presenting with a wide variety and complexity of illnesses/diseases including communicable diseases, substance dependency, mental health and general health issues.  Perform physical, substance use and psychiatric assessments, collect specimens, refer clients to the physician for further examination, administer prescribed treatments and medication according to protocols and make appropriate adjustments. Triage Health Service Requests from clients and make appropriate treatment plan or referrals,
• Observe, monitor, evaluate, assess and document client progress, symptoms, and behavioral changes and perform a variety of health care interventions utilizing nursing skills and medical equipment including therapeutic interventions using a variety of modalities. Initiate and facilitate discharge planning in collaboration with the interprofessional treatment team; identify referrals to other health professionals.
• Provide education and support to clients and groups using a health promotion approach regarding matters such as contraception, birth control, sexually transmitted diseases, upper respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections and minor dermatology problems.
• Work collaboratively with other health care professionals, client, family and community in the identification and resolution of health issues, cultural and language barriers, ethical dilemmas and coordination and integration of care, and make referrals to other service providers as appropriate.
• Maintain accurate computerized and paper records in accordance with established procedures and policies; prepare and maintain statistical information, correspondence, reports and other documentation. Document patient/family perspectives and nursing observations.

What you bring

Qualifications

• Current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse or Registered Psychiatric Nurse with the British Columbia College or Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).
• Two (2) years’ recent experience providing trauma informed acute or community health nursing care/services to patients who have a combination of physical, psychiatric and/or concurrent substance abuse/misuse 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)

• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism and systemic racism on Indigenous Peoples within social and health contexts. This includes understanding how these factors contribute to current health disparities and barriers to care. Show a clear commitment to identifying, challenging, and eradicating Indigenous-specific racism and all forms of discrimination impacting equity-deserving groups within healthcare settings. This involves recognizing personal biases, institutional barriers, engaging in anti-racism education and training and advocating for systemic change.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments within BCMHSUS contexts 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, BC Human Rights Code, Anti-racism Data Act and how they intersect across the health care system.

Core Competencies

• Brings an understanding of the Indigenous specific racism and the broader systemic racism that exists in the colonial health care structure, and has demonstrated leadership in breaking down barriers and ensuring an environment of belonging. Embed Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility into all aspects of work. This means creating an environment where Indigenous patients feel respected, valued, and understood. Foster trust through respectful communication, active listening, and honoring equity-deserving people's perspectives on health and wellness. Commit to ongoing education and training on Indigenous health issues, cultural safety, and DEI principles. Participate in workshops, cultural immersion experiences, and continuous professional development to stay informed and responsive to equity-deserving groups. Provide patient-centred care that respects Indigenous ways of knowing and healing, respects BIPOC experiences and world views ensuring that care plans are culturally relevant and holistic.
• Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (The Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.).

Skills & Knowledge

• Working knowledge of community health nursing theory including mental health and addictions, communicable diseases, primary care and practice within a patient/family-centered approach.
• Knowledge of the BC Mental Health Act, other facilities and community resources.
• Working knowledge of facilitation, mediation, and conflict resolution techniques.  Demonstrated ability to adjust to new or unexpected events

• Demonstrates a commitment to beginning and continuing their personal learning journey related to Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, as well as addressing racism more broadly. Shows willingness to articulate and share their learning experiences to contribute to a culture of motivation and inspiration among peers.
• Demonstrates foundational knowledge of the social, economic, and political realities of settler-colonialism and its impacts on Indigenous peoples and equity-deserving groups within social and health contexts. Understands the impact of social determinants of health-on-health outcomes. Shows a commitment to learning about and upholding legislative obligations and provincial commitments outlined in foundational documents such as the 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, Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, the BC Human Rights Code, Anti-Racism Data Act, and the Distinctions Based Approach.

What we bring

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.

• Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
• Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs, including +2,000 courses, such as our San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles.
• Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
• Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
• PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
• Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.

Job Type: Regular, Full-Time
Wage: $41.42 to $59.52 per hour
Location: 200 Enterprise Way, Oliver, BC V0H 1T2
Hours of Work: Rotating, 2 days/2 evening, 4 off; 0700-1830 / 1130/2300
Requisition # 180780E

What we do

BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services (BCMHSUS) cares for people with complex mental health and substance use challenges.

BCMHSUS is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).

The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Cultivate partnerships – Serve with purpose.

Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services

PHSA and BCMHSUS are committed to employment equity, encouraging all qualified individuals to apply. We recognize that our ability to provide the best care for our diverse patient populations relies on a rich diversity of skills, knowledge, background and experience, and value a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment.

One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes ongoing commitments to Indigenous recruitment and employee experience as well as dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya’k̓ula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at indigenous.employment@phsa.ca.

Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and exclusion faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and title of BC First Nations and self-determination of all First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. PHSA is mandated to uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents including the 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.

Attention current employees of PHSA: 

You must apply via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca.

The internal job posting expires on March 14, 2025 and will no longer be accessible. If the internal job posting has expired, please e-mail internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca with the six-digit job requisition number and your PHSA employee ID number to be considered as a late internal applicant. Please do not apply for the external job posting.

If you have not yet set up an internal profile, please e-mail internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca with your PHSA employee ID number to obtain your temporary password. Our business hours are Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm, excluding Statutory Holidays and a Help Desk Representative will respond to you with 1-2 business days.  

If you are not a current employee of PHSA and require assistance with your application, please contact the External Careers team at careers@phsa.ca.