Registered Nurse (RN), Families In Recovery Program (FIR)
BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre
Vancouver, BC
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. Visit our website at jobs.phsa.ca/mnpr
What you’ll do
- Provide direct health care services to clients presenting with a wide variety and complexity of illnesses/diseases including communicable diseases, addictions, mental health and general health issues. Perform physical, addiction and psychiatric assessments, collect specimens, refer clients to the physician for further examination, administer prescribed treatments and medications according to protocols and make appropriate adjustments.
- Observe, monitor, evaluate and document client progress, symptoms, and behavioral changes and performs 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; identifies referrals to other health professionals.
- Using the nursing process and BCCNM standards of nursing practice provides care services such as maternal, fetal/newborn/infant assessment and administration of ordered drugs and therapy. Cerate a therapeutic environment by providing teaching and counseling.
- Conduct initial and ongoing comprehensive nursing assessments of assigned patients, including ante partum and postpartum women and newborns.
- Closely monitor and document physical/emotional condition of the mother/fetus throughout all stages of detoxification and stabilization.
- Monitor infants for signs of withdrawal and/or other deviations from the expected norm.
- Plan and coordinate in-hospital services required by the patient and her family, by referring to dietary services, physiotherapy, social work, life skills counseling, child life and/or lactation consultants.
- Develop a comprehensive care plan with the multidisciplinary team, focusing on identified addiction, biopsycho-social/spiritual challenges and discharge planning. Evaluate the outcome of care provided and modify plan accordingly.
- Provide education and support to clients, families and groups using a health promotion approach regarding matters such as pregnancy, the birth experience, postpartum, newborn care and parenting, contraception, birth control, sexually transmitted diseases, upper respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections and minor dermatology problems. Also provides counseling on reduction of risk behaviours which can result in infants being born with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) or fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).
- Prepare women and their families for discharge from hospital. Refers patients to Community Services as necessary. Liaise with the Ministry for Children & Family Development regarding discharge planning for the women and their infants, as required.
- Initiate emergency care for the women/fetus/newborn in crisis by following escalation of care protocols including potential transfer to a higher level of care such as labour and delivery, high acuity unit (HAU) or Neonatal Intensive Care unit (NICU) as per protocol. Obtain immediate assistance from relevant resources, such as Physician/Midwife/Nurse Practitioner, Patient Care Coordinator, Unit Perinatal Clinical Educator, Program Director and other team members as indicated.
- Contribute to a learning environment by preceptoring new orientees and nursing and other students and by supporting research endeavours in this specialty area.
- Take responsibility for personal and professional development and provides a nursing perspective by attending multi-disciplinary/nursing in-services, rounds, conferences and committee meetings.
- Other related duties as required.
Provide care and support to:
o Chemically dependent women.
o Mother/infant dyads during the early postpartum period, caring for the infant at the bedside (whenever possible), aiding the mother in watching for signs and symptoms of withdrawal.
o Substance exposed babies in the nursery.
o Babies requiring additional observation for reasons of medical instability.
o Babies awaiting placement.
What you bring
Qualifications
- Graduation from an approved School of Nursing with current practicing registration as an RN or RPN with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).
- Two (2) years’ recent experience providing acute or community health nursing care/services to clients who have concurrent psychiatric and/or substance abuse/misuse disorders including one (1) year perinatal and nursery nursing experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
- Current CPR/Newborn Resuscitation Certification.
- Breastfeeding update, minimum 6 hours, in the last two years.
- Fetal Health Assessment Certificate.
- 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 BCW 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 and practice within a client/family -centered approach.
- Working knowledge of British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) Standards for Nursing Practice.
- 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
- Ability to use maternal/fetal/newborn nursing theory and expertise.
- Ability and knowledge of woman centered care and its application.
- Ability to work with newborn infants in withdrawal.
- Demonstrated enthusiasm, commitment and ability to provide nursing care that acknowledges cultural diversity in health practices and an individual’s right to make choices.
- 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
- Ability to carry out the physical demands of the job.
- 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.
- 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 2,000+ in-house courses including a range of experience level, profession-specific, or other essential training on Indigenous Cultural Safety; Indigenous-specific anti-racism; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and accessibility, mental health and well-being, and more.
- 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: Temporary, Full-Time Opportunities (until November 16, 2026)
Wage: $41.42 - $59.52/hour
Location: 4500 Oak Street, Vancouver BC, V6H 2N9
Hours of Work: Self scheduling 0700-1910/1900-0710
Requisition # 198987E, 198988E & 198694E
What we do
BC Women's Hospital & Health Centre (BCW) is dedicated to improving the health of women, newborns and families through a comprehensive range of services, research and education.
BCW 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 BCW is committed to equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently marginalized groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.
One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya'kula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at [email protected].
Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and marginalization faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and self-determination of Indigenous communities. PHSA must uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents such as 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.
Attention current employees of PHSA:
You must apply via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca.
The internal job posting expires on May 22, 2026 and will no longer be accessible. If the internal job posting has expired, please e-mail [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected].
