Clinical Extern - Post Acute

SJH St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton; Charlton and Dack; On-site; CAD 32,000 - 45,000; Part time

Job summary

The Clinical Externs are unregulated healthcare providers working with an interprofessional team to deliver patient-centred care under supervision at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. The contract part-time role includes day/evening/night shifts and weekends, with hours determined by unit needs and availability.

Contract period is 6 months with 12-hour shifts and rotations across Charlton Campus. Provides valuable clinical learning while supporting transitional care and ongoing patient needs.

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled in an accredited nursing program (RN or RPN) as described.
• Current certificate in BLS.
• Completion of SJHH orientation and mandatory training.
• Demonstrated IPAC practices and professional conduct.

Responsibilities

• Provide patient-centred care under supervision of licensed Health Professionals.
• Assist with activities of daily living to support patient independence.
• Record vital signs and document care activities.
• Communicate effectively with patients, families, staff and volunteers.
• Work as part of an interprofessional team and participate in care planning.

Skills

Communication

IPAC practices

Team player

Critical thinking

Time management

Education

RN student (2nd–4th year)

RPN student (final year)

BLS certificate

Job description

Position Details

Job Number: JR02594

Department: Complex Care 5 and 8 Tower

This position may be scheduled at any of the following sites: Charlton Campus (Hamilton Downtown)

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: Monday to Sunday

Time of Day: Days, Nights

Shift: Hours -12

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

Reason for Posting: Posting is for a new role

Application Dates Opening Date: 2026-10-29 Closing Date: 2026-11-05

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.

Post-Acute Care: Complex Continuing Care (CCC) - Charlton Campus

The complex care unit is comprised of 46 beds and fall into one of the following streams: Palliative Care, Slow Rehab, Chronically Vented patients, and Bariatrics. Complex Care provides compassionate, specialized care and inpatient services for patients and families who are dealing with a "life-altering" complex condition resultant from injury or disease marked by impairments in either or both mental and physical function.

The level of support that patients need ranges from significant to total. It may include ventilation, special feeding systems, tracheotomy care, and special pain management. Our interdisciplinary team of professionals work collaboratively to support our patients’ goals for transitional care and/or meet their needs for continuing care. Complex Care is a part of the health services continuum designed to provide medical management, skilled nursing and a range of interdisciplinary, diagnostic, therapeutic and technological services to achieve patient identified goals and optimize wellness and quality of life of individuals who have a chronic complex condition.

Complex Care provides transitional care to support individual's needs in anticipation of a return to a community setting (ie. home or other residential living), or to receive palliative and end-of-life care. The Complex Care Program provides services in the streams of Short-Term Complex Medical Management inclusive of the specific sub-streams of Medically Complex, Bariatric and Dialysis), Long-Term Complex Medical Management (Chronic Assisted Ventilator Dependent) and End of Life.

Alternative Level of Care (ALC) - Charlton Campus

The St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton Post-Acute team provides a vital service for patients who have completed the acute phase of their care at the hospital. The Alternate Level of Care unit is divided into 2 units encompassing a total of 52 beds. Patients on the ALC units are waiting to be moved either to Long-Term Care or Transitional Bed Facility.

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 Occupational Therapy Students Physiotherapy 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, Respiratory Therapist 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: 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.

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.