Registered Nurse - Forensic Psychiatry (R3) (Primary)/ Forensic Psychiatry (M2) (Secondary)

St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare institution in Hamilton is seeking a Registered Nurse to provide specialized care for patients with serious mental illnesses within their Forensic Psychiatry Program. You will be responsible for assessments, treatment planning, and collaborative care within an inter-professional team. The role demands strong crisis intervention abilities and knowledge of mental health standards and legislation. Candidates must be registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario and preferably have certification in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing. This is a challenging yet rewarding opportunity for passionate nursing professionals.

Benefits

Health and wellness programs

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Minimum of one year of recent mental health nursing experience.
• Knowledge of the Mental Health Act is required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of psychopharmacology.

Responsibilities

• Provide quality, holistic, specialized nursing care for complex mental illnesses.
• Complete assessments and organize therapeutic interventions.
• Collaborate with the inter‑professional team and provide decision‑making support.

Skills

Crisis Intervention

Conflict Resolution

Interpersonal Skills

Therapeutic Interventions

Team Building Skills

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Mental Status Examinations (MSE)

Education

Current registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario

CNA certification in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing (CPMHN(c))

Tools

Resident Assessment Instrument – Mental Health (RAI‑MH)

Job description

UNIT PROFILE

The Forensic Psychiatry Program works to restore and maintain the mental health and well‑being of mentally disordered adult offenders while managing risk as mandated by the Criminal Code of Canada and ordered by the Ontario Review Board. This multidisciplinary team includes nursing and allied health professionals working together to provide a wide range of assessment, treatment and rehabilitation services. In this capacity the Forensic Psychiatry Program provides clinical, risk and medico‑legal assessments, inpatient treatments in secure environments, and outpatient treatment and community reintegration services/support for the Central‑South region and Halton.

POSITION SUMMARY

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.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Current registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario required.
• CNA certification in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing (CPMHN(c)) is preferred.
• Current CPR certification is required.
• CPI – Crisis Prevention Training (or successful completion as part of clinical orientation) is required.
• Minimum of one 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.
• Dem the assessment and management of co‑morbid medical disorders (e.g., diabetes, metabolic monitoring, etc.).
• Demonstrated knowledge of Mental Status Examinations (MSE).
• Demonstrated knowledge of individual counseling and group skills (e.g., 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 Service‑specific Qualifications

• Prior recent psychiatric/mental health nursing experience is required; additional experience in forensic psychiatry is preferred.
• Evidence of understanding of Criminal Code of Canada as it pertains to mentally disordered offenders.
• Demonstrated familiarity and understanding of Risk Assessment Tools (e.g., HARM/AIS).
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of custody and caring in the clinical care of mentally disordered offenders.

NOTE

The successful applicant to this position will be cross‑trained in order to also be able to provide shift coverage to the established combined unit – ForensicPsychiatry(M2). Tours on M2 will be scheduled in conjunction with successful applicant’s R3 schedule and will be determined by the needs on both R3 and M2 and will include rotating shifts.

St. Joseph’s Nursing Vision

St. Joseph’s Nursing Vision is to make a difference in the lives of those we care for, our organization, and the future of our community through achievement of excellence in nursing and commitment to a culture of nursing innovation, empowerment, leadership and accountability.