Job Summary
In accordance with the Purpose, Vision, Values and Coast Salish Teachings, and strategic direction of PHSA, safety, including both patient and employee safety, is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA. As such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.
PHSA has a responsibility to deliver care to individuals in the provincial correctional system, and a responsibility to ensure that programs and services are free of Indigenous-specific racism. BCMHSUS is committed to the eradication of Indigenous-specific racism, embedding Indigenous Cultural safety and humility, and improving Indigenous health and wellness for those we serve.
The Client Care Access and Discharge Coordinator leads access, admission, transfer, and discharge processes for clients requiring designated mental health services within Correctional Health Services. Practicing within a client- and family-centred care model and BCCNM standards, the coordinator manages a centralized referral and bed utilization system, reviews referrals, determines eligibility, prioritizes placements based on clinical need and capacity, and oversees bed occupancy and waitlist processes to support patient flow and effective resource use. The role provides expert consultation to referral sources, interdisciplinary teams, and external partners on access criteria, policy, and process, applying sound clinical judgment in complex situations. Acting as a key liaison across Correctional Health Services, BC Corrections, Emergency Health Services, and community partners, the coordinator supports coordinated care planning, admission decisions, discharge transitions, and continuity of care, including release planning and transitions to treatment beds. The position contributes to quality improvement through data collection, analysis, reporting, audits, policy development, and evaluation to improve access, flow, and service delivery. It also supports compliance with the BC Mental Health Act, patient rights processes, and documentation standards, while promoting awareness of legal and administrative requirements. In addition, the coordinator provides clinical leadership through coaching, orientation, and education, supports staff in competency development, and performs direct patient care as needed to help ensure safe, compassionate, and equitable care.
Duties/Accountabilities
- Receives and reviews referrals for access to the designated mental health space(s) within Correctional Health Services. Facilitates, discharges or transfers back to the home Correctional Health Services sites, suitable community partners or the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital. Works in close collaboration with all referring partners considering referral eligibility and to ensure that clients with the highest clinical requirements are prioritized for placement.
- Facilitates timely admissions and discharges to appropriate bed resources by ensuring comprehensive information is included in referrals by communicating with referral services on prioritized placements of clients using established guidelines and policy, Coordinates referrals by maintaining a centralized referral agency.
- Monitors referrals from all referring sites and works collaboratively with various sites, health authorities and other provincial centers, to ensure efficient flow of referrals to promote maximum bed utilization.
- Provides consultation and guidance to all referral sources, and service users on the interpretation and application of policies relevant to eligibility and access to bed resources.
- Facilitates timely admissions and discharges to appropriate bed resources by ensuring comprehensive information is included in referrals to the Designated Mental Health Spaces within CHS and by communicating with referral services on prioritized placements of clients using established guidelines and policy, works closely with Correctional Health Services and Community Transition Teams in release planning, supports transitions to treatment beds in collaboration with referring agents teams.
- Works closely with leadership to support regular audits and contributes to monthly reports to the Ministry of Health.
- Ensures the dissemination of information concerning patient rights under the BC Mental Health Act to both staff and patients in a timely manner, checks to ensure patient documentation is appropriate and complete, ensures security of other conditions/changes are implemented and that patients are aware of legal/administrative procedures and rights.
- Coaches team members and coordinates/implements orientation and ongoing training within the area through methods such as clarifying requirements, determining training/orientation sequence of job functions, participating in preceptorships, collaborating with nursing leadership, discussing progress, and facilitating establishment of individual and area goals, assessing progress, and providing feedback and/or written documentation for authorization by Manager. Identifies and recommends staff training/skill enhancement to Manager.
- Carries out direct patient care activities as required in accordance with the care plan by methods such as performing protocols and interventions, implementing behaviour management strategies and meeting care recipient needs; applying approved techniques, procedures and treatments; and administering prescribed medication; recognizing and identifying signs and symptoms of changes in patients’ conditions; maintaining complete and accurate records; and planning direct care, contributing to the physical and psychological well-being of the patients, and supporting patients with psychosocial, life, and personal care skills. Maintains a safe environment for patients and staff.
- Assists in the development and provision of orientation and education regarding Correctional Health Services within the mental health and substance use services program.
- Assists in the implementation of quality improvement activities, outcome follow up, and evaluation.
- Participates with program leadership in ongoing review and development of program policies that promote improved client access and system responsiveness.
- Participates in staff education and assists in the development and provision of orientation packages for staff and other health professionals.
- Collects, analyzes and reports data for resource utilization, compliance to clinical pathways, and quality improvement. Works with interdisciplinary team members in utilizing client data to facilitate successful, expedient, efficient, and effective discharge planning.
- Maintains and updates knowledge of education and development theory and practice by reviewing current literature and research and identifying new theories/trends/programs.
- Sets measurable goals and objectives within a team or individual environment, incorporating the organization’s vision and values, goals and corporate plan, through methods such as maintaining and updating own knowledge of clinical and professional development within area of practice and developing in collaboration with the designated Supervisor. Reviews progress to ensure that goals are achieved within the established time frames.
- Carries out responsibilities in accordance with health and safety requirements. Immediately reports unsafe situations by notifying supervisor or other appropriate personnel.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Education, Training and Experience
- Current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse with the British Columbia College of Nurses & Midwives (BCCNM).
- Two years' recent, related nursing experience relevant to the designated client population or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
- Valid BC Driver’s License. Local area travel may require the use of a personal vehicle.
Skills And Abilities
- Commitment to developing knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments 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
- Comprehensive knowledge of nursing science theory, and practice within a patient and family centered model of care.
- Comprehensive knowledge of the BCCNM standards for Nursing Practice.
- Comprehensive skills and expertise in adult and older adult residential care, tertiary, acute and community Mental Health and/or Addiction services and related issues.
- Knowledge of relevant policies, procedures, and standards of care.
- Knowledge of other health care disciplines and their role in the interdisciplinary team.
- Demonstrated ability to facilitate the development of critical thinking and clinical decision-making skills in others.
- Ability to communicate effectively with co-workers, physicians, and other health care staff, either one-on-one or in groups.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
- Demonstrated ability to function as a team member, leader, and facilitator.
- Demonstrated ability to establish workload priorities in collaboration with others.
- Demonstrated ability to provide effective consultation.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and in collaboration with others.
- Ability to put systems in place to address various designated client population groups, to ensure access to services and facility care.
- Ability and skill to operate related equipment, and techniques appropriate to assigned clinical areas.
- Basic computer literacy with word processing, spreadsheet, and database skills.
- Demonstrated skills in CPR techniques
- Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.
