ABOUT US:
The Helping House provides wholistic, culturally integrated primary care for Indigenous clients and families. Our interdisciplinary team includes Family Physicians, a Nurse Practitioner, a Naturopathic Doctor, a Primary Care Nurse, a Wholistic Wellness Nurse, an Elder and Knowledge Keeper, Medical Office Assistants (MOAs), and a Health Benefits Advocacy Officer/Patient Travel Clerk.
Together, we strive to support Tsleil-Waututh Nation members and families through care that is trauma-informed, relationship-centered, and guided by the Nation’s teachings on balance and interconnectedness.
By joining our Primary Care Team, you will collaborate closely with physicians, nurse practitioners, and allied health colleagues to support clinical care coordination, chronic disease management, and health promotion, all grounded in culturally safe, relationship-centered practice.
JOB SUMMARY:
The Wholistic Wellness Nurse (RPN) is an integral member of the interdisciplinary Primary Care Team, supporting clients mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness across the lifespan. Grounded in cultural humility and trauma-informed practice, this role blends clinical nursing, counselling, case coordination, and relational support to foster healing and continuity of care.
Working collaboratively across all health teams including Mental Wellness, Home & Community Care, Peer Support and more, the nurse provides both immediate support during crises and ongoing care for individuals and families navigating trauma, addictions, or mental health challenges.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Relational and Culturally Safe Care
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Works collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team-based model of care to provide client- and family-centered nursing care.
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Using a trauma-informed approach, promotes a culturally safe and therapeutic care environment in support of client self-advocacy and self-determination.
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Supports an integrated and wholistic approach to care planning that addresses the spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental aspects of well-being.
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Supports program delivery and community engagement across all health teams.
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Liaises with Elders and Knowledge Keepers to foster connection, cultural engagement, and strength-based healing.
Client Care Management
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With cultural humility, fosters care relationships with clients and their self-identified families and support persons to help establish rapport, trust, and mutual respect.
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Assesses clients’ functional status and informal support network, and bolsters integrity of supports as needed through advocacy, shared care planning, and integration of additional formal supports and resources.
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Anticipates medical and functional changes over time especially in the context of serious illness, trauma, or chronic disease and provides avenues for early engagement and conversations to ensure care planning reflects clients’ and families’ goals and values.
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Initiates and participates in care conferences with clients, families, interprofessional team members, and service providers to ensure a coordinated and integrated approach to care.
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Supports clients’ access to health services, helping them and their families navigate resources and overcome personal and systemic barriers to achieving health and wellness.
Nursing Care and Counselling
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Conducts comprehensive health and wellness assessments that identify physiological, psychological, sociocultural, and spiritual needs, ensuring a truly wholistic approach to care planning and provision.
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Coming from a client- and family-centered model, tailors individualized care plans in consultation with clients, families, and members of the interdisciplinary care team.
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Provides nursing treatment services including crisis intervention, supportive counselling, and health education, while also facilitating group education and therapy sessions that promote wellness, connection, and healing.
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Delivers trauma-informed opioid agonist treatment (OAT) and related health care services, including physical, psychiatric, and substance use assessment; administration of prescribed treatments and medications; monitoring
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Advocates for clients navigating systemic barriers in health and social systems, ensuring their voices and cultural safety remain at the center of care planning and delivery.
Community Integration and Continuity of Care
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Coordinates care across systems, supporting clients before, during, and after hospitalizations or treatment center admissions to ensure continuity and safety.
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Acts as a bridge between primary care, mental wellness, and community supports, maintaining communication across all relevant providers.
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Contributes to community wellness programming, prevention initiatives, and outreach efforts that strengthen the social determinants of health.
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Participates in continuous quality improvement and collaborative team reflection to support the ongoing evolution of Helping House’s integrated care model.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required:
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Current practicing registration with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) that is in good standing.
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Graduation from an approved School of Nursing with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychiatric Nursing
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A minimum of two (2) years’ recent clinical experience that is relevant to working in primary care in community, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience
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Proficiency in the use of MS office and clinical software, including nursing documentation systems
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Valid BC Driver’s License Class 5 and reliable vehicle with current vehicle insurance
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Valid Basic Life Support (BLS) provider certification through the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada
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Documentation of immunization and TB screening history
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Criminal records check (vulnerable populations sector)
Preferred:
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Completion of Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility training (e.g. San’yas)
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Demonstrated knowledge of Coast Salish/Tsleil-Waututh culture
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Experience working within or alongside First Nations communities or Indigenous-led health organizations.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:
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Broad knowledge of psychiatric and community nursing practice, trauma-informed care, and wholistic wellness principles.
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Ability to integrate clinical, cultural, and relational approaches in supporting clients’ mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being.
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Demonstrated skill in therapeutic relationships, crisis intervention, counselling, and case coordination, grounded in empathy, safety, and cultural humility.
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Understanding of opioid agonist therapy (OAT) and harm reduction approaches, including medication administration, monitoring, and client education.
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Proficiency in motivational interviewing, self-management support, and wellness-oriented counselling for individuals and families.
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Experience conducting comprehensive health and wellness assessments and developing individualized, family-centered care plans guided by client and family voices.
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Ability to facilitate wellness groups, circles, or psychoeducation sessions that promote connection and self-determination.
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Deep awareness of the social determinants of health, including the impacts of colonization, systemic racism, and intergenerational trauma.
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Understanding and openness to Indigenous ways of knowing and being, including teachings on balance between the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual domains of health.
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Strong relational practice, emotional intelligence, and ability to hold space for clients experiencing grief, loss, or distress.
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Proven ability to advocate for clients navigating complex health and social systems, ensuring continuity of care and cultural safety.
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Knowledge of community resources and capacity to build collaborative relationships with service partners and supports.
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Exceptional communication, conflict resolution, and de-escalation skills that foster trust and teamwork.
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Self-directed, organized, and able to work both independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary care environment.
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Reflective, emotionally grounded, and compassionate in practice, maintaining professional boundaries while providing presence and support.
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Commitment to anti-racist and decolonizing practice, promoting equity and inclusion in all aspects of care.
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Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Physical Demands
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Intermittent physical activity including walking, standing, sitting, lifting and supporting clients.
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May be exposed to occupational hazards such as infectious waste, diseases and chemicals.
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Manual dexterity required to use desktop computer and peripherals.
Mental Focus
May deal with individuals who can, from time to time, be demanding and challenging. Must be able to remain patient and calm, and may have to engage in conflict resolution.
Environmental Conditions
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The noise level is generally quiet, but at times noise could escalate.
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Must be able to work relatively independently and deal with issues of personal safety because this position is outside the controlled environment of a hospital.
Thank you for your interest in working with us. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
INDHP
