Clinical Extern - Forensic Psychiatry Program

SJH St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 37,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

St. Joseph's Health System (SJHS) Hamilton is seeking Clinical Externs to join the Forensic General Unit 1 team on a part-time, temporary basis.

You will work under the supervision of licensed professionals to deliver patient-centered care and support daily living activities. Applicants are nursing students in their 2nd–4th year with a current BLS certificate and strong teamwork, communication, and clinical learning abilities.

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled in RN/RPN or related nursing programs in the final years of study.
• Current BLS certification required.
• Ability to work under supervision within interprofessional teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide patient-centered care under supervision of a health professional.
• Assist with activities of daily living and monitoring patient status.
• Document care and communicate changes to supervising nurse.
• Participate in care planning and adherence to SJHH policies.

Skills

RN student

RPN student

BLS certificate

Teamwork

Communication

Critical thinking

Organizational skills

Attendance

Education

Enrolled in accredited nursing program (RN/RPN)

Job description

Position Details

Job Number: JR02367

Department: Forensic General Unit 1

This position may be scheduled at any of the following sites: West 5th Campus (Hamilton Mountain)

Job Type: Temporary (Fixed Term), Part time

Contract Duration: (If applicable) 6 months

Number of Positions: 1

Union: CUPE Local 786

Hourly Rate (Min / Max): $27.8 - $27.8

Schedule Work Days: Holidays, Monday to Sunday

Time of Day: Days, Evenings, Nights

Shift: Hours -12

Shift Start: (If applicable) AM 07:00, AM 09:00, PM 19:00

Reason for Posting: Posting is for a new role

Application Dates Opening Date: 2026-10-08

Closing Date: 2026-10-15

Job Summary

The Clinical Extern are unregulated healthcare providers who will be working as part of interprofessional team and provide patient-centred care under the direct and/or indirect supervision of an identified Health Professional and who reports to the unit manager. The Clinical Extern will practice in a manner consistent with the organizational Mission, Vision and Values in alignment with the outlined job description, while considering the limitations in their ability to perform controlled acts as authorized by the professional colleges. The Clinical Externs will be hired on a contract part-time basis and the hours of work will be determined based on individual availability and unit needs which will include day/evening/night and weekend shifts.

Forensic Psychiatry - West 5th Campus Forensic Psychiatry, a subspecialty of psychiatry, focuses on the relationship between psychiatry and the law, and deals specifically with a multitude of medicolegal issues including fitness to stand trial, capacity/competence, criminal responsibility, assessment of malingering, expert witness testimony, responsibility in civil actions, and risk assessment and management of violence. Our clinical staff who specialize in this area have strong clinical skills in the assessment and management of patients with complex clinical presentations, particularly with psychotic illnesses, addictions and personality disorders including Psychopathy. Fundamental to this subspecialty is expert knowledge of legislation that governs all acts pertaining to the assessment and treatment of patients as well as expertise in documenting and presenting clinical opinions and recommendations in the The Forensic Psychiatry Program currently operates 114 inpatient beds (22 Assessment and 92 Rehabilitation/Recovery).

Key Qualifications/Job Requirements

• Must be enrolled in the following programs: Registered Nurse (RN) Students enrolled in their 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year of an accredited baccalaureate nursing program
• Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Students enrolled in their final year of study with an accredited nursing program OR Undergraduate Medical Students in the final year of a program; recent Canadian Medical Graduates awaiting start of residency OR Occupational Therapy Students
• Current certificate in BLS
• Completion of any orientation and mandatory training provided by SJHH
• Demonstrated IPAC practices
• Evidence of good academic standing with enrolled program
• Evidence of successful learning experiences in recent clinical placements
• Ability to communicate in a confidential, professional, diplomatic and friendly manner when interacting with patients, families, staff, physicians, students and volunteers
• Ability to work as a member of a team and request guidance and consultation
• Acquired competencies to provide safe, high quality and compassionate care reflective of level of formal education and in accordance with organizational Mission and Vision
• Demonstrated critical thinking skills including clinical judgment, problem solving, and evaluation skills reflective of level of formal education
• Demonstrated attitude and behavior that conveys respect and dignity of all persons
• Demonstrated excellent organizational and time-management skills
• Excellent attendance record

Duties/Responsibilities

• Practice under the direct and/or indirect supervision of the Healthcare Professional (eg. RN, RPN, etc) in a manner consistent with SJHH's Mission, Vision, policies and procedures and in accordance with the CNO Practice Guideline for Working with Unregulated Care Providers
• Carry out or assist with activities of daily living with the goal of supporting and optimizing patient independence and functioning. These activities may include both patient care activities and non-patient care activities as follows: Patient Care Activities: In consultation and collaboration with supervising healthcare professional: Assistance with Activities of Daily Living (e.g. feeding, toileting, bathing, dressing, etc.) Mobility Assistance (lifting, turning, positioning, transfer, ambulation, etc.) Provision of measures to ensure skin integrity Answering call bells Taking patients’ Vital Signs, height and weight Assistance with comfort measures and involvement in comfort rounds Contribution to care planning and implementation of existing care plan interventions under direction of the nurse Activation, companionship, and social engagement Reporting changes in patient status or safety concerns to a supervising nurse Falls Risk Assessment Pain Assessment Braden Scale Assessment CAM Assessment Other care activities as needed and appropriate for clinical area and patient population served Documenting care provided and notify supervising healthcare professional of findings Clinical Externs in their final year or semester of study, upon successful completion of the Clinical Extern Competency Test and educational orientation, may accept delegation of following acts: Point of Care Testing (POCT) Glucose Hours of Work: Rotating shifts, including days, evenings, nights and weekends As a reminder, please note the following weekly availability requirements for clinical externs: From September 1st to April 30th: You must work One 12-Hour shift per week From May 1st to August 31st : You must work Two 12- Hour shifts per week For those of you who are accelerating their studies and are attending classes during the summer, you would follow the requirement on 1 x 12 hour shift a week throughout the year

Other Information

St. Joseph's Health System (SJHS) and its member organizations are equal opportunity employers and strives for equity, inclusiveness, and diversity in all programs, practices, facilities, and people. We foster a culture of patient and staff safety where all positions comply and work in conjunction with the Mission, Vision, and Core Values. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. SJHS and its member organizations are committed to a barrier-free recruitment and selection process - please inform us should accommodation be required at any point in the recruitment process ([e-mail]). At St. Joe's Hamilton, we believe in nurturing new talent, providing an inclusive and supportive work environment with meaningful growth opportunities, and exciting benefits and rewards. Whether you're passionate about providing compassionate care or eager to gain new skills, there's a place here for you to grow, learn, and succeed! Dignity. Respect. Service. Justice. Responsibility. Enquiry.