Adams Lake Indian Band is seeking one fulltime highly motivated and culturally sensitive Psychiatric Nurse to work with indigenous populations in Salmon Arm and Chase, BC, and will be reporting to the Senior Health Officer. The ideal candidate will play a pivotal role in providing accessible and culturally competent psychiatric support and harm reduction services, i.e. Opioid Replacement therapy, to individuals who face unique mental health challenges due to colonial trauma and compounded social and economic barriers. You will be part of a collaborative multidisciplinary team of professionals and community partners to deliver holistic and person-centred care.
This is a four-year term positions funded through the Primary Care Network (PCN), with the potential for extension based on program success and future funding. This position will work under the direction of the Sexqeltqin Senior Health Officer and collaborate closely with interdisciplinary teams across all three communities. An ALIB band vehicle will be made available for work related travel. This role will provide services to members of the Adams Lake Indian Band, Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw (Squilax), and Neskonlith Indian Band, using trauma-informed, culturally safe, and wholistic approaches to mental wellness.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES:
This position is rooted in respect, dignity, cultural safety, and advocacy. The nurse will support healing and wellness through culturally aligned care, while upholding client confidentiality and professional integrity. This role demands a high level of trust, discretion, and engagement in sensitive care situations.
POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Psychiatric Nurse is responsible for promoting safety, healing, and well-being for clients experiencing Mental Wellness and Substance Use (MWSU) challenges and/or co-occurring conditions. Services span the MWSU continuum and include, but are not limited to:
Community-based outreach- Detox and withdrawal management
- Medication administration (e.g., Suboxone)
- Wellness assessments and crisis response
- Case management and care planning
- Individual counselling and intervention
- Harm reduction support and education
- Socioeconomic supports (e.g., housing referrals)
- Cultural and community-based workshops and engagement
The role requires flexibility, responsiveness to emergent client needs, and the ability to manage an active caseload of vulnerable clients. Regular scheduling is expected, with flexibility for evening or after-hours work as needed.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Assessment and Diagnosis:
- Complete comprehensive psychiatric assessments to identify client needs
- Formulate differential diagnoses and individualized treatment plans
- Assess urgency, trauma-related dynamics, and develop empowerment-based responses
- Co-develop wellness strategies in partnership with clients
- Create or adapt services to meet unique and evolving needs
- Provide education to enable informed, client-directed decisions
Treatment and Intervention:
- Deliver evidence-based psychiatric treatment and interventions
- Support medication management and provide therapeutic counselling
- De-escalate acute mental health episodes and provide crisis intervention
- Ensure care practices are grounded in trauma-informed principles
Cultural Competency:
- Integrate cultural safety and Indigenous worldviews into all care
- Engage with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and community leaders to support cultural relevance
- Center trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches to wellness
Community Outreach:
- Build strong relationships with local health authorities and service agencies
- Facilitate access to culturally safe mental health services
- Lead or support community education to reduce stigma around mental health and substance use
- Champion harm reduction and safer use practices within the community
Collaborative Care:
- Work in close partnership with GPs, NPs, psychiatrists, and allied health providers
- Lead or participate in interprofessional case management and care planning
- Collaborate with emergency services, corrections, and other service providers to support continuity of care
Documentation and Reporting:
- Maintain complete and current electronic client records
- Ensure documentation meets confidentiality standards and professional regulatory requirements
Crisis Management:
- Respond promptly to psychiatric emergencies
- Provide immediate care, stabilization, and referrals as appropriate
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, AND SKILLS:
- Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) in good standing with BCCNM
- Experience working with Indigenous and/or marginalized populations strongly preferred
- Demonstrated cultural competence and understanding of Indigenous wellness approaches
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and crisis response skills
- Ability to work collaboratively in team-based care environments
- Flexible and willing to travel between communities as needed
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Those normally associated with a typical office environment. Continuous visual concentration on computer/laptop.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Most work is performed in a typical office environment.
EQUIPMENT AND SOFTWARE
Office – Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Valid BC Class 5 Drivers License and drivers abstract (copy)
BONA FIDE JOB REQUIREMENTS
Current Criminal Records Check with vulnerable sector clearance, with results acceptable to ALIB
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:
Full time, 4-year fixed term position with the possibility of extension
Wage range: $50.00 – $55.00 per hour, commensurate with qualifications and experience
Hours per week: 75 hours bi-weekly (max 37.5 hrs./week), with flexibility in hours/days of work.
WHY US?
We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including a defined contribution pension scheme, health, vision, and dental coverage, LTD, AD&D, and life insurance and an employee assistance program. In addition to a starting vacation entitlement of two weeks we typically provide a two-week paid winter break and provide paid sick/personal days in addition to Statutory or Designated holidays.
Competition closes September 7th, 2025 at midnight, Pacific Time.
All interested candidates are asked to submit a detailed cover letter and resume with references to: https://workforcenow.adp.com/recruitment/alib
Preference may be given to qualified ALIB band members and individuals who self-identify as First Nation, Inuit, or Indigenous ancestry. All applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada. If you have any questions about the position, difficulties applying, or require an accommodation during the selection process, which is available upon request, please contact us either via telephone at: 250-679-2214 or email: [email protected]
ALIB reserves the right to withdraw, cancel, postpone, or revise advertised positions; although we acknowledge all those interested in the position, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
