Registered Practical Nurse - Correctional Beds

SJH St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 50,000 - 55,000; Part time

Job summary

SJH St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton seeks a Registered Practical Nurse to contribute to inpatient psychiatric care for eligible correctional inmates. You will perform basic assessments and provide nursing care under RN direction, focusing on symptom management and care planning.

Integrity, privacy, and teamwork are essential in this role. The position requires current Ontario RPN registration, a recognized RPN program, and a minimum of one year in psychiatric mental health nursing, with

Qualifications

• Current registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario required.
• Provincially recognized educational program for Registered Practical Nurses required.
• Certificate in Mental Health Nursing preferred.
• Minimum 1 year of recent related clinical experience in psychiatric mental health nursing required; forensic psychiatric nursing experience preferred.
• Knowledge of psychiatric nursing, mental health and illness.
• CPR, Asepsis Techniques, and Medication Administration Certification required.
• CPI – Crisis Prevention Training required.
• Knowledge of Mental Health Act and related legislation.
• Documentation standards, privacy legislation, and health record management processes.

Responsibilities

• Provide basic assessment and treatments for one or more mentally disordered offenders.
• Nursing care under direction from the Registered Nurse with focus on treatment and care planning.
• Maintain accurate documentation and effective communication with the team.

Skills

Psychiatric nursing

CPI training

Communication skills

Documentation skills

Education

RPN registration Ontario

RPN education program

Mental Health Nursing certificate

Tools

WHMIS training

Medication administration cert

CPR/Asepsis techniques

Forensic risk tools knowledge

Job description

Position Details

Job Number: JR02307

Department: Acute Mental Health Correctional Beds

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) 12 months

Number of Positions: 1

Union: CUPE Local 786

Hourly Rate (Min / Max): $36.63 - $39.8

Schedule Work Days: 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 role with an existing vacancy

Application Dates Opening Date: 2026-10-08

Closing Date: 2026-10-15

Job Description

The Acute Stabilization initiative provides inpatient psychiatric care and treatment to eligible correctional inmates. Eligible inmates will be admitted to a secure unit Harbour East 2 for treatment and stabilization and subsequently returned to custody. Treatment goals for this unit include symptom management and care planning with nursing staff being predominantly responsible for medication administration and supervision. The unit will build partnerships with correctional facilities necessary to ensure a continuum of care.

Unit Profile

The Acute Stabilization initiative provides inpatient psychiatric care and treatment to eligible correctional inmates. Eligible inmates will be admitted to a secure unit Harbour East 2 for treatment and stabilization and subsequently returned to custody. Treatment goals for this unit include symptom management and care planning with nursing staff being predominantly responsible for medication administration and supervision. The unit will build partnerships with correctional facilities necessary to ensure a continuum of care.

Position Summary

The Registered Practical Nurse under the Standards of Practice of the College of Nurses of Ontario functions as a member of the nursing team to provide basic assessment and treatments preventative educational and/or supportive care. Under direction from the Registered Nurse basic knowledge decision making and communication techniques are employed in providing nursing care to one or more mentally disordered offenders.

Qualifications

• Current registration with the College of Nurse of Ontario required.
• Successful completion of a provincially recognized educational program for Registered Practical Nurses required.
• Certificate in Mental Health Nursing preferred.
• Minimum 1 year of recent related clinical experience in psychiatric mental health nursing required; forensic psychiatric nursing experience preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of psychiatric nursing mental health and mental illness required.
• Current CPR Asepsis Techniques and Medication Administration Certification required.
• CPI – Crisis Prevention Training (or successful completion as part of clinical orientation) required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Mental Health Act and other legislation relevant to practice.
• Knowledge base of major mental disorders and current treatment modalities with knowledge of the Criminal Code of Canada as it pertains to working with mentally disordered offenders.
• 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 familiarity and understanding of Forensic specific Risk Assessment Tools (ie. HARM/AIS).
• Demonstrated knowledge sensitivity and expertise in the care of seniors and their families
• Gentle Persuasive Approach training preferred
• Knowledge of therapeutic communication and counselling with a clear ability to apply knowledge to practice.
• Demonstrated ability to emphasize the interpersonal aspect of nursing such as: interest empathy honesty non-judgmental attitude and respect.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of custody and caring in the clinical care of mentally disordered individuals.
• Advanced oral and written communication skills and proficient computer skills required for assessment report writing and word processing.
• Demonstrated competence (knowledge/skills/attitude) in the use of non-violent physical crisis interventions trauma-informed care and other best practices available to promote healing and recovery.
• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing learning professional development and continuous quality improvement.
• Demonstrated ability to set own workload priorities and document according to standards.
• Demonstrated excellent problem-solving and organization skills.
• Basic skill level with computers MS Word internet searches data entry and patient information systems.
• Good work performance and attendance record is essential.
• An updated resume should accompany the application.

Employer Culture

SJHHjobs 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.