I. Introduction

Orca Lelum is seeking expressions of interest from experienced Registered Nurses (RNs) and Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPNs) with a background in addiction medicine, withdrawal management, substance use care and/or concurrent mental health and substance use to support the development and delivery of nursing services within Orca Lelum’s Withdrawal Management Centre.

Orca Lelum is an Indigenous-led youth wellness centre located on Vancouver Island, providing culturally grounded, trauma-informed care and support for Indigenous young spirits ages 12-18 navigating substance use, mental health concerns and healing from trauma. Orca Lelum currently operates a 10-Week Wellness Program integrating medical and nursing support, counselling, Care Planning, therapeutic programming and Indigenous cultural practices and teachings.

Beginning in 2027, Orca Lelum will expand its continuum of care through the opening of a dedicated Withdrawal Management Centre, providing medically supported withdrawal management and stabilization services for young spirits presenting with appropriate levels of withdrawal acuity.

The nurse will work as part of an interdisciplinary team and in collaboration with medical providers to support protected withdrawal management, stabilization, medication management, health assessment, young spirit education and continuity of care within a culturally safe and trauma-informed environment.

II. Culturally Protected & Trauma-Informed Practice

- Provide nursing care through a culturally safe, relational and trauma-informed approach.
- Demonstrate a commitment to Indigenous ways of knowing, being and working, and to culturally humble practice guided by the young spirit, family, Nation and community.
- Recognize the historical and ongoing impacts of colonization, residential schools, intergenerational trauma and systemic barriers experienced by Indigenous peoples.
- Support the respectful integration of Indigenous ways of knowing, cultural practices and traditional wellness approaches alongside Western medical care.
- Respect each young spirit's cultural identity, family, Nation, community, beliefs and individual wellness journey.
- Work respectfully with Cultural Support Workers, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, families and community supports as appropriate.
- Promote young spirit dignity, choice, voice and participation in their care.

III. Scope of Work & Responsibilities1. Withdrawal Assessment & Monitoring

- Complete comprehensive nursing assessments for young spirits entering withdrawal management services.
- Conduct ongoing assessment and monitoring of withdrawal symptoms, physical health, mental health and overall clinical presentation.
- Utilize established withdrawal assessment tools and protocols, including CIWA-Ar, COWS and SWS, as applicable and within scope.
- Monitor vital signs, level of consciousness, hydration, nutrition, sleep, pain and other relevant indicators throughout withdrawal and stabilization.
- Recognize changes in acuity, deterioration or emerging medical concerns and initiate appropriate escalation in accordance with established protocols.
- Communicate significant clinical findings promptly to the appropriate physician, Nurse Practitioner or other medical provider.
- Support safe transitions to emergency or higher-acuity medical services when a young spirit's needs exceed Orca Lelum's capacity for care.

2. Medication Administration & Management

- Administer medications in accordance with prescriber orders, approved clinical order sets, organizational policies and applicable nursing standards.
- Monitor young spirit response to medications, including therapeutic effects, side effects and adverse reactions.
- Maintain accurate medication administration records and required clinical documentation.
- Support safe medication storage, handling, reconciliation and controlled medication practices.
- Identify and promptly communicate medication-related concerns, discrepancies or adverse events.
- Participate in medication reconciliation during admission, transition and discharge.
- Collaborate with prescribers and pharmacy providers regarding medication needs and continuity of care.

3. Addiction Medicine & Substance Use Nursing

- Provide nursing care to young spirits experiencing withdrawal or other substance-related health concerns.
- Apply knowledge of substance use, withdrawal, stabilization, harm reduction and recovery-oriented practice when supporting young spirits.
- Support young spirits receiving opioid agonist therapy or other pharmacological interventions, where applicable and within scope.
- Recognize signs and symptoms associated with intoxication, overdose, withdrawal complications and concurrent medical or mental health concerns.
- Provide developmentally appropriate education to young spirits regarding medications, substance use, withdrawal, harm reduction and physical wellness.
- Participate in overdose prevention and emergency response in accordance with established protocols.
- Provide education to young spirits and staff, as appropriate, on medication and treatment, harm reduction, opioid overdose recognition and naloxone response, physical and sexual health, sleep hygiene, nutrition, boundaries and consent.
- Where appropriately certified and authorized, contribute to opioid use disorder care, reproductive and sexual health services (including STI-related care), and contraception management, in accordance with individual scope, organizational protocols and prescriber collaboration.

4. Young Spirit Safety, Stabilization & Crisis Response

- Maintain ongoing awareness of young spirit medical and safety needs during withdrawal and stabilization.
- Respond appropriately to medical concerns, behavioural escalation, emotional distress and other urgent situations within nursing scope.
- Apply trauma-informed, relational and culturally safe approaches when supporting young spirits experiencing distress or withdrawal.
- Participate in emergency response and coordinate escalation to physicians, emergency services or hospital care when clinically indicated.
- Follow approved clinical order sets, standing orders where applicable, emergency protocols and escalation pathways.

5. Interdisciplinary Care & Care Planning

- Work collaboratively with physicians, Nurse Practitioners, other nurses, Care Coordinators, Counsellors, Cultural Support Workers, Youth Support staff and other members of the interdisciplinary team.
- Participate in Care Planning and clinical consultations as appropriate.
- Contribute relevant nursing assessments, observations and recommendations to individual Care Plans.
- Communicate significant changes in a young spirit's medical or clinical presentation to appropriate team members.
- Support coordinated transitions between withdrawal management, Orca Lelum's 10-Week Wellness Program and community-based services where appropriate.
- Participate in discharge and continuity-of-care planning related to medical, medication and substance use needs.
- Where appropriate and clinically suitable, support continuity of care from withdrawal management into Orca Lelum’s recovery or 10-Week Wellness Program, and coordinate follow-up with external providers and community supports.

6. Documentation & Clinical Communication

- Maintain timely, accurate, objective and confidential nursing documentation in accordance with applicable professional standards, legislation and Orca Lelum policies.
- Document nursing assessments, withdrawal monitoring, interventions, medication administration, young spirit response and follow-up requirements.
- Maintain clear communication and handover between nursing staff and other relevant members of the interdisciplinary team.
- Complete incident reports and other required clinical documentation.
- Maintain confidentiality and appropriate information-sharing practices.

7. Clinical Protocols, Quality & Safety

- Follow established withdrawal management protocols, approved clinical order sets and medication procedures.
- Contribute nursing knowledge and experience to the development and refinement of Withdrawal Management Centre procedures and workflows.
- Participate in clinical quality improvement, medication safety and incident-review activities as requested.
- Identify clinical or operational risks and communicate concerns through appropriate channels.
- Participate in emergency preparedness and clinical simulation activities.
- Maintain required competencies and participate in ongoing training relevant to withdrawal management, addiction medicine, youth mental health and culturally safe care.
- As the nursing team develops, provide clinical guidance and, where assigned and within applicable professional standards, supervisory oversight to other nurses.

8. Pre-Opening & Program Development

- Prior to the opening of the Withdrawal Management Centre, the nurse may support pre-opening activities including:
- Reviewing and providing nursing input into clinical workflows, policies, procedures and protocols.
- Supporting development of nursing documentation, assessment tools and clinical forms.
- Reviewing medication management processes and nursing workflows.
- Supporting development of admission, withdrawal monitoring, escalation and discharge processes.
- Participating in orientation, training, simulation and readiness activities.
- Supporting the organization and preparation of medical and nursing supplies and equipment.
- Collaborating with medical and organizational leadership to support operational readiness for opening.

IV. Qualifications & Experience

The successful candidate will have:

- Current registration in good standing as a Registered Nurse or Registered Psychiatric Nurse with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM), with competencies appropriate to the position.
- Current CPR certification and other emergency certifications required for the position.
- Experience in addiction medicine, withdrawal management, substance use care, mental health, emergency nursing or a related clinical environment.
- Demonstrated knowledge of substance use disorders, withdrawal presentation, stabilization and harm reduction.
- Experience with withdrawal assessment tools such as CIWA-Ar and COWS; experience with stimulant withdrawal assessment is an asset.
- Demonstrated competency in medication administration, clinical assessment, documentation and recognition of medical deterioration.
- Experience working with children, adolescents or young adults is strongly preferred.
- Experience supporting individuals with concurrent mental health and substance use needs is preferred.
- Experience working with Indigenous young people, families or communities is an asset.
- Demonstrated commitment to culturally secure, trauma-informed, relational and youth-centred practice.
- Strong clinical judgment, communication, documentation and interdisciplinary collaboration skills.
- Ability to work independently within nursing scope while appropriately escalating medical concerns.
- Additional certification or authorization relevant to opioid use disorder treatment, reproductive health, STI care and/or contraception management is an asset; these expanded services are not required of every applicant.
- Ability to work in an evolving clinical environment and contribute to the development of new services and processes.

V. Expression of Interest Requirements

- Interested Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses are invited to submit:
- A current resume or CV outlining relevant nursing experience.
- A brief statement of interest describing experience in addiction medicine, withdrawal management, substance use and/or youth mental health.
- Current BCCNM registration information.
- Details regarding availability and preferred contract schedule.
- Contact information for professional references.

VI. Submission Instructions

Expressions of interest may be submitted electronically to:

Nikita D’Souza

Human Resources

[email protected]
Orca Lelum Wellness Society

Please include “Expression of Interest - Nursing, Addiction Medicine & Withdrawal Management” in the subject line.

Orca Lelum welcomes expressions of interest from qualified nurses who are passionate about supporting Indigenous young spirits through culturally grounded, trauma-informed and evidence-informed medical care.

Pay: $73.53 per hour

Expected hours: 20.0 per week

Work Location: In person

📌 Expression of Interest - Registered Nurse (Contract) (Lantzville)
🏢 Orca Lelum
📍 Lantzville