Registered Nurse - Forensic OP

St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 56,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Joseph’s Health System is seeking an experienced Registered Nurse for the Forensic Psychiatry Outpatient Program at the West 5th Campus in Hamilton.

You will provide holistic, evidence-based care within an inter-professional team, focusing on trauma-informed, person-centered practice and minimizing seclusion and restraint when possible. The role requires CNS-level assessment, treatment planning, and durable community linkages, with a strong emphasis on documentation, risk assessment, and

Qualifications

• Current registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario.
• CNA certification in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing (CPMHN(c)), or commitment to complete within 5 years of hire.
• Current CPR certification.
• CPI – Crisis Prevention Training required.
• Minimum of three years mental health nursing experience with serious mental illness.
• Knowledge of Mental Health Act and related legislation.
• Knowledge of documentation standards and privacy laws.
• Knowledge of co-morbid medical conditions and metabolic monitoring.
• Knowledge of MSE and risk assessment/management.
• Experience with DBT/MI/IPT/CBT counselling approaches.

Responsibilities

• Forensic nursing assessments, risk assessments, and treatment/discharge planning.
• Contribute to annual ORB reports and multidisciplinary team collaboration.
• Provide direct interventions in housing, finances, child welfare and relationships.
• Maintain accurate, timely client documentation and records.
• Ensure compliance with workload measurement and data collection requirements.
• Lead and participate in team functioning with strong professional leadership.

Skills

Current Ontario RN registration

CPMHN(c) certification

CPR certification

CPI – Crisis Prevention Training

Mental Health Act knowledge

MSE knowledge

DBT/MI/IPT/CBT counselling skills

Risk assessment & management

Trauma-informed care

Documentation and privacy knowledge

Forensic psychiatric nursing

Education

Ontario RN registration

CPMHN(c) certification

CPR certification

CPI – Crisis Prevention Training

Tools

RAI-MH training

Job description

Position Details

Job Number:

JR02433

Department:

Forensic Outpatient Program

This position may be scheduled at any of the following sites:

West 5th Campus (Hamilton Mountain)

Job Type:

Regular, Full time

Contract Duration: (If applicable)

0 months

Number of Positions:

1

Union:

ONA Local 75

Hourly Rate (Min / Max):

$41.15 - $58.98

Schedule

Work Days:

Monday to Friday

Time of Day:

Days

Shift:

Hours - 7.5

Shift Start: (If applicable)

Reason for Posting:

Posting is for a role with an existing vacancy

Application Dates

Opening Date:

2026-10-13

Closing Date:

2026-10-20

Job Description

The Registered Nurse provides care for patients in accordance with the mission, vision and values of SJHH and the Mental Health and Addiction Program (MHAP), the standards of practice of the College of Nurses of Ontario, and the Canadian Federation of Mental Health Nursing (CFMHN) Standards. Nurses in the MHAP are committed to the alleviation of stigma and discrimination related to mental health and addiction, as well as reduction of the use of seclusion and restraint in all our services. The principles of person-centred nursing, recovery and trauma informed care is foundational to this specialized nursing practice. As a member of the inter-professional team, the RN is responsible for the provision of quality, holistic, specialized nursing care for patients with complex mental illnesses. The RN provides safe, evidence-based therapeutic interventions across the care continuum. The RN completes assessments, plans and organizes treatment/therapeutic interventions, documents and evaluates interventions. The RN models professional leadership and provides decision-making support by collaborating and delegating within the inter-professional team.

Key responsibilities of the RN, Forensic Psychiatry Outpatient Program include, but are not limited to:

• Forensic Nursing assessments, risk assessments, treatment plans, discharge planning/transitional planning and community case management.
• Contributing to annual ORB reports.
• Consultative and/or direct interventions in housing, financial, child welfare and relationship difficulties.
• Active participation in collegial multidisciplinary team, contributing knowledge and support to team functioning.
• Maintaining accurate and timely documentation on all clients and interventions.
• Comply with all required Workload Measurement and other statistical data collection expectations as appropriate.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Current registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario required.
• CNA certification in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing (CPMHN(c)), or commitment to complete within 5 years of hire as a condition of employment, is required.
• Current CPR certification is required.
• CPI – Crisis Prevention Training (or successful completion as part of clinical orientation) is required.
• Minimum of three (3) year of recent mental health nursing experience with demonstrated knowledge, skill and ability in the care of patients with serious mental illness required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the application of the Mental Health Act, Consent and Capacity, and other legislation relevant to the practice of psychiatric/mental health nursing is required.
• Knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations, professional standards and guidelines, SJHH corporate and departmental Policies and Procedures, including successful completion of WHMIS training.
• Knowledge of documentation standards, privacy legislation, and health record management processes.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the assessment and management of co-morbid medical disorders (ie. diabetes, metabolic monitoring, etc.)
• Demonstrated knowledge of Mental Status Examinations (MSE).
• Demonstrated knowledge of individual counseling and group skills (ie. DBT, MI, IPT, CBT, Behavioral Activation).
• Knowledge of risk assessment and management, including knowledge of trauma informed care and alternatives to seclusion and restraint, and associated risks.
• Knowledge and practice of safe and secure environment for clients/families/teams by listening, discussing, exploring, clarifying and acting on their concerns, needs and priorities.
• Proficient computer skills including successful completion of Resident Assessment Instrument – Mental Health (RAI-MH) training upon hire.
• Demonstrated knowledge and skill related to crisis intervention and conflict resolution.
• Demonstrated leadership, superior problem solving, critical thinking skills and strong team building skills.
• Demonstrated interpersonal and de-escalation skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of psychopharmacology, including current psychotropic medications and side effects.

Forensic Psychiatry Outpatient Program-specific Qualifications:

• Three (3) years recent related mental health nursing experience in Forensic Psychiatry required.
• Two (2) years recent related experience in case management with a mental health/forensic patient population required.
• Demonstrated understanding of the Criminal Code of Canada as it pertains to mentally disordered individuals required.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with the application of Forensic-specific Risk Assessment tools (i.e. HARM, AIS) required.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of custody and caring in the clinical care of mentally disordered individuals required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of therapeutic communication skills and counselling techniques with an emphasis on DBT required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of metabolic monitoring and patient education required.
• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide expertise in facilitating care plans, discharge planning/transitional planning, including use of community resources and the mental health network required.
• Demonstrated superior leadership, problem-solving, critical thinking and team building skills required.
• Demonstrated understanding of global organizational needs and services as a means for achieving best possible outcomes and a demonstrated commitment to continuous quality improvement required.
• Evidence of commitment to ongoing professional development and leadership in applying current research into practice required.
• Valid Ontario Driver’s License and access to a reliable vehicle with adequate insurance required.

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 theMission, 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]).