Psychiatric Liaison Nurse - PAH

Fraser Health is responsible for the delivery of hospital and community-based health services to over 1.9 million people in 20 diverse communities from Burnaby to Fraser Canyon on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of the Coast Salish and Nlaka’pamux Nations, and is home to six Métis Chartered Communities. Our team of 43,000 staff, medical staff and volunteers is dedicated to serving our patients, families and communities to deliver on our vision: Better health, best in health care.

Twelve acute care hospitals, BC’s first dedicated outpatient care and surgery centre and a wide range of services in public health, home health, mental health and long-term care facilities - all within Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. Known as one of the most desirable place to live in the world, these vibrant communities along with inspiring scenery and easy access to an abundance of outdoor activities provide an amazing quality of life.

If this sounds like the ideal role for you, here are more reasons why you should apply:

• A career that offers you the opportunity to work in a fast growing and exciting organization with health care providers who are excellent in their respective fields.
• Fantastic opportunities for support and management roles are available as you advance within the organization.
• Competitive salary package, including comprehensive health benefits coverage.
• An opportunity to make a difference every single day in the world of health care.

We are proud of the innovation, dedication, professionalism and tenacity of our physicians, employees and volunteers. More than any building or technology, it's our people who make Fraser Health distinct.

We strive to create an environment where you enjoy the work you do, the place where you work, and the people around you. From the financial advisor managing our health care resources, to the IT professional enabling life-saving data, to the nurse and physician on the front line of patient care, everyone plays a role in the care continuum. Together, we create great workplaces.

We believe in your work with our dedicated team, come join in our commitment to provide quality care to our patients and clients. Our purpose - To improve the health of the population and the quality of life of the people we serve.

Our dedication:

• To be passionate in pursuit of quality and safe health care.
• To inspire individual and collective contribution.
• To be focused on outcomes, open to evidence, new ideas and innovation.
• To embrace new partners as team members and collaborators.
• To be accountable.

Peace Arch Hospital is a 171-bed hospital in White Rock, BC, offering medical, surgical, acute geriatric, obstetrics, palliative, psychiatric and telemetry services as well as 24/7 emergency services with after-hours emergency surgery with over 53K visits annually.

Peace Arch Hospital has completed an Emergency Department expansion and upgrades project that includes five upgraded perioperative suites (operating rooms), and a new Medical Device Reprocessing department. Read media release.

In accordance with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) standards of practice and the Mission and Values of Fraser Health, and working collaboratively and in partnership with the interprofessional care team in the provision of person-centered and recovery oriented care the Psychiatric Liaison Nurse performs intake assessment, offers crisis intervention, and provides input into the care of psychiatric and concurrent disordered patients in the Emergency Department. Provides input into the care of psychiatric patients awaiting transfer for further assessment or inpatient admission. Assists with ensuring effective patient flow for assessed patients through collaboration with Emergency Department nurses, other emergency service providers, the interprofessional community mental health and substance use team and other community service providers. Assists in adapting care plans to address psychiatric needs, with final dispositions authorized by the Emergency Room physicians or consulting Psychiatrist. The Psychiatric Liaison Nurse works in close association with the interprofessional community mental health team, agencies and other community service providers. May provide short term follow-up treatment and case management services at the Mental Health Centre for adults treated in the Emergency Department.

1. Screens psychiatric referrals from a variety of internal and external sources, gathers background information and determines service priorities. Works with Emergency Department staff in the identification of potential psychiatric referrals.
2. Performs psychosocial assessments and collects collateral related to patients' primary support group, social environment, occupation, education, housing, finance, health service access, and legal problems. Completes emergency psychiatry patient assessments for patients triaged to psychiatry.
3. Develops care plans with final dispositions authorized by the Emergency Room Physician or consulting psychiatrist and provides general and crisis counselling to patients and their families including short term crisis follow-up in accordance with approved treatment plans.
4. May provide short-term follow-up treatment and case management services at the Mental Health Centre for adults treated in the Emergency Department.
5. Communicates and consults with Coordinators and other members of the interprofessional mental health and substance use team on patient care issues, resources and discharge planning; organizes and participates in interprofessional conferences; engages patients and their family in plan of care and refers patients to other services as required.
6. Provides patient advocacy services with other agencies, services and service providers.
7. Documents assessments, care plan, observations, interventions, patient/family responses, outcomes/evaluations, and referrals according to practice standards and Fraser Health procedures.
8. Completes and maintains electronic Psychiatric Liaison Contact Sheets before the end of each shift or within the designated and hours of work.
9. Participates in patient care conferences of admitted psychiatric patients as required to ensure appropriate discharge planning and linkages to appropriate community mental health services.
10. Liaises with appropriate departments and professionals and facilitates transition to aftercare by sharing emergency treatment outcomes and care plans with Mental Health & Substance Use staff. Acts as patient advocate by assisting patients and their family members to access appropriate community resources.
11. Provides guidance to hospital staff involved in caring for psychiatric patients and provides input for team members actively involved in violence de-escalation, suicide prevention, seclusion, and restraint practices. Ensures safe patient management and adherence to restraint policies and procedures.
12. Participates in quality improvement activities by identifying patient care issues, collecting data, and identifying needs and recommendations for corrective action and changes to practices, procedures or protocols.
13. Provides input to the Managers regarding policies, procedures, and operational requirements by observing service needs and providing spoken or written suggestions that address patient and family needs and promote effective use of resources.
14. Identifies own learning needs/goals, reviews these with the Manager or designate and engages in a variety of activities to meet these needs/goals.
15. Maintains a safe environment for patients, families and staff by adhering to established safety and emergency practices and procedures.
16. 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.
17. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

Graduation from an approved school of Nursing or Psychiatric Nursing. Current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse and/or Registered Psychiatric Nurse with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM). One (1) year recent related experience in acute or community mental health and substance use setting or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to complete initial and ongoing mental health and substance use patient 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.