Registered Practical Nurse - Forensic M2

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

Job summary

The Forensic General Mountain 2 unit at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton is seeking a Registered Practical Nurse to join a regular, full-time team.

The RPN will provide basic assessment and treatments, preventative care and supportive guidance under RN supervision, with an emphasis on reducing restraints and seclusion in a forensic setting. Responsibilities include collaborating with a multidisciplinary team across inpatient and community services, and supporting the Central-South region and

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 BCLS/HCP certification required.
• 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 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.
• Familiarity with Forensic specific Risk Assessment Tools (e.g., HARM/AIS).
• Knowledge and understanding of custody and caring in the care of mentally disordered individuals.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required.
• Commitment to ongoing learning, professional development and quality improvement.
• Ability to set workload priorities and document according to standards.
• Strong 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 essential.
• Updated resume should accompany the application.

Skills

BCLS/HCP certification

CPI – Crisis Prevention Training

Forensic psychiatric nursing

Communication skills

Mental health nursing knowledge

Education

Current registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario

Provincially recognized educational program for Registered Practical Nurses

Certificate in Mental Health Nursing

Tools

MS Word

Data entry

Patient information systems

Job description

Position Details

Job Number: JR02398

Department: Forensic General Mountain 2

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

Job Type: Regular, Full time

Contract Duration: 0 months

Number of Positions: 2

Union: CUPE Local 786

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

Schedule

Work Days: Holidays, Monday to Sunday

Time of Day: Days, Evenings, Nights

Shift: Hours -12

Shift Start: AM 07:00, AM 09:00, PM 19:00

Reason for Posting: Posting is for a new role

Application Dates

Opening Date: 2026-10-20

Closing Date: 2026-10-27

Job Description

Unit Profile

The Forensic Psychiatry Program work towards restoring and maintaining 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 multi-disciplinary 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 General and Secure environments and outpatient treatment and community reintegration services/support for the Central-South region and Halton.

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. The RPN will be committed to reducing and ultimately eliminating the use of restraint and seclusion.

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 BCLS/HCP certification required


• 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


• 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


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required


• 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.

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 .