Registered Practical Nurse - Mood Disorder

SJH St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 50,000 - 52,000; Part time

Job summary

St. Joseph’s Health System (SJHS) Hamilton is seeking a Registered Practical Nurse to provide specialized mental health care for adults with severe and persistent mental illness.

You will work as part of a multidisciplinary team at the Mood Disorders program on the West 5th Campus, focusing on safety, assessment, and individualized care plans. The role emphasizes reduction of restraint and seclusion, adherence to nursing standards, and collaborative care with psychiatrists, nurses, social

Qualifications

• Current registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario.
• Provincially recognized educational program for a Registered Practical Nurse completed.
• Asepsis Technique and Medication Administration certificate required.
• Current BCLS/HCP certification required.
• Mood disorders/psychiatric mental health nursing experience preferred.
• Ability to document according to nursing standards.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialized mental health care to adults with severe and persistent mental illness.
• Work under direction from the Registered Nurse using nursing process to assess, plan, implement and evaluate care.
• Contribute to reducing and eliminating the use of restraint and seclusion.

Skills

Psychiatric nursing

Therapeutic communication

Clinical documentation

Infection control

Education

RPN education program

Tools

MS Word

Data entry

Patient information systems

Job description

Position Details

Job Number: JR02045

Department: Mood Disorders Waterfall 1

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) 11 months

Number of Positions: 1

Union: CUPE Local 786

Hourly Rate (Min / Max): $35.91 - $39.02

Schedule Work Days: , Monday to Sunday

Time of Day: Afternoons, Days, Evenings, Nights

Shift: Hours -12, Hours - 7.5, Rotating Shift Start: (If applicable) AM 07:00, PM 15:00, PM 19:00

Reason for Posting: Posting is for a role with an existing vacancy

Application Dates Opening Date: 2026-09-15

Closing Date: 2026-09-22

Unit Profile

The Mood Disorders Program employs a multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists psychologists nurses social workers vocational rehabilitation therapists occupational therapists recreation therapists and research staff who assess and treat individuals with unipolar depression and bipolar disorder. The Program optimizes a variety of proven treatment strategies (pharmacotherapy group therapies psychoeducation) with the aim of controlling the symptoms of a mood disorder as well as supporting the recovery and rehabilitation of the person.

Position Summary

The Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) under the Standards of Practice of the College of Nurses of Ontario and the Department of Nursing functions as a member of the nursing team to provide specialized mental health care to adults with severe and persistent mental illness. Under direction from the Registered Nurse basic knowledge decision-making and communication techniques are employed in assessing planning and implementing nursing care. 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 a Registered Practical Nurse.
• Asepsis Technique and Medication Administration certificate required.
• Current BCLS/HCP certification required
• Demonstrated knowledge sensitivity and expertise in the care of seniors and their families
• Gentle Persuasive Approach training preferred
• Minimum of 1 year recent related clinical experience in psychiatric mental health nursing is required; Mood Disorders experience is preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Psychiatric Nursing Mental Health and Mental Illness is required.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience facilitating and co-facilitating clinical groups of 8-10 clients is required.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience administering clinical scales such as HAM-D’s YMRS YBOCS RBANS PANSS START is required.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate with professionalism and in a sensitive and non-judgemental manner with psychiatric patient to promote positive outcomes required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of therapeutic communication and counselling with a clear ability to apply knowledge to practice.
• Demonstrated ability to document according to standards of nursing practice required.
• Demonstrated knowledge and integration of the BPG and Recovery Principles into day-to-day clinical practice required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of current psychotropic medications including side effects is required.
• Demonstrated ability to develop effective therapeutic relationships with increased knowledge base of need for adherence to therapeutic boundaries required.
• Demonstrated excellent problem-solving workload management and organizational skills required.
• Demonstrated commitment to professional development and continuous quality improvement.
• Basic skill level with computers MS Word internet searches data entry and patient information systems.
• Good work performance and attendance record 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.

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.