Mental Health Nursing Officer

Canadian Armed Forces

  • Canada
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 2 months ago
Mental Health Nursing Officers provide nursing care in the mental health nursing domain of practice to ill and injured Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and supported populations in tertiary and primary care environments in Canada and while on operation.Mental Health Nursing Officers work within a collaborative practice model with other members of the health care team and lead the nursing care delivery within their area of practice. Mental Health Nursing Officers have the opportunity to work in different domains of nursing practice including:
  • Patient partnered care;
  • Crisis management;
  • Case coordination;
  • Consulting services;
  • Policy and Program management; and
  • Education and Training.
Work environmentMental Health Nursing Officers usually work in Canadian Force Health Services Centres, civilian tertiary care centres and Headquarters. Mental Health Nursing Officers work in an office at a base, wing or garrison and deploy overseas on operational missions. During field exercises and deployments to military operations abroad, Mental Health Nursing Officers live and work in the same environment as the CAF members they treat.During field exercises and deployments to military operations abroad, Mental Health Nursing Officers live and work in the same environment as the CAF members they treat.Pay and BenefitsA competitive compensation and benefits package is available for this medical specialization. Contact a Health Services Specialist Recruiter to learn more:TrainingBasic Occupational Qualification TrainingAfter completing the Rank Qualification Lieutenant training, Nursing Officers selected for specialisation or who have civilian experience within a mental health/psychosocial services environment are required to complete a formal mental health nursing course and a certification to ensure they have the clinical competencies required to deliver nursing care in a general mental health and psychiatric emergency setting. The certification is completed in a Canadian civilian tertiary care facility and at Canadian Forces Health Services Centres through completion of a designated curriculum. The course completion and length of the certification depends on each Nursing Officer’s level of previous clinical experience.Available Specialty TrainingMental Health Nursing Officers may be offered the opportunity to develop specialized skills through formal courses and certifications, including:
  • Addiction;
  • General Mental Health Services;
  • Psychosocial Services;
  • Counseling;
  • Management; and
  • Policy and Program management.
Entry plansIn-Service SelectionNursing Officers who joined the occupation through any entry plan have the opportunity, upon selection, to further specialize as a Mental Health Nursing Officer and progress in jobs and ranks of increasing responsibility.Direct EntryIf you already have a university degree and license to practice as a Registered Nurse in a Canadian province or territory and civilian nursing experience in a mental health environment, the CAF may place you directly into a Mental Health Nursing Officer job after evaluation of your experience. You will have to complete some education and certification to complement your civilian experience.Part time optionsServe with the Reserve ForceReserve Force Mental Health Nursing Officers are trained to the same level as their Regular Force counterparts. Your civilian experience will have to reflect an employment in a mental health environment. If you are unsure about your civilian experience matching the job requirements, please contact a Canadian Forces Health Services Recruiter: HSRecruiting-RecruitementSS@forces.gc.ca.

Canadian Armed Forces