WHAT WE DO

BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services (BCMHSUS) cares for people with complex mental health and substance use challenges.
BCMHSUS program is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).
PHSA plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Cultivate partnerships – Serve with purpose.
PHSA and BCMHSUS are committed to employment equity, encouraging all qualified individuals to apply. We recognize that our ability to provide the best care for our diverse patient populations relies on a rich diversity of skills, knowledge, background and experience, and value a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment.
Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services
PHSA is committed to anti-racism and equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently excluded groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.
One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes ongoing commitments to Indigenous recruitment and employee experience as well as dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya’k̓ula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at indigenous.employment@phsa.ca.
Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and exclusion faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and title of BC First Nations and self-determination of all First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. PHSA is mandated to uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents including the 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 Keegan: A First Nations Case Study.

• As sworn Special Provincial Constables under the BC Police Act, FSOs provide overall security of the MHU through the administration of a variety of safety and security systems such as personal protective alarm duress system, and video surveillance, sign in registry and the fire monitoring system; ensure access control remains current for approved individuals; monitor and ensure the integrity of the physical and legal boundaries of the Surrey Pre-trial Services Centre.
• Monitor the movement and activities of persons in custody that have been certified under the (MHA) with an active form 4.1 and form 4.2.
• In support of the clinical risk assessment of in-custody patients, consults with and supports clinical staff and others to ensure appropriate security precautions are implemented safely, such as those outlined in patient specific intervention plans.
• Search, patients for the same; and confiscate contraband and catalogues, destroys and/or retain contraband in a secured area for evidentiary purposes.
• Interact with persons in custody and those on escort in aggressive and/or volatile situations to diffuse the situation and reduce the escalation of aggression; secure patients who become agitated utilizing PHSA approved de-escalation and safe non harmful control techniques in order to maintain custody and ensure the safety of staff/public and patient(s) both within the hospital and in the community.
• Respond to medical emergencies as designated OFA personnel by bringing emergency equipment such as medical emergency bag and defibrillator to the scene; provides first aid and/or CPR as needed.
• Provide safe and secure escort of persons to video court and other facilities, including secure facilities, hospitals and specialists outside of the hospital; assume custody and transport persons in custody from outside agencies to the hospital; coordinate the movement of persons in custody from secure units to and from sheriffs, law enforcement and/or other transporting agencies; apply restraining devices such as handcuffs, belts, leg irons and belly chains and/or other restraint devices or techniques as required; support the planning and implementation of security plans with other agencies for all high profile cases.