Registered Practical Nurse - R2

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

Job summary

St. Joseph’s Health System (SJHS) is seeking a Registered Practical Nurse for the Schizophrenia Orchard 2 unit in Hamilton.

The role delivers specialized psychiatric nursing care to adults with severe mental illness, emphasizing safety, therapeutic relationships, and collaborative planning with the multidisciplinary team. The incumbent will assess, plan, and implement nursing care, aiming to reduce restraint and seclusion while closely following nursing standards and best practices.

Qualifications

• Current registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario required.
• Successful completion of a provincially recognized educational program for a Registered Practical Nurse required.
• Acceptable certificate or proven enrollment in a psychiatric nursing program for RPNs preferred.
• Current Asepsis Techniques and Medication Administration certificate required.
• Current CPR certification required.
• Minimum 1 year previous experience in psychiatric/mental health nursing preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of signs and symptoms and treatments for schizophrenia/psychotic disorders.
• Ability to develop therapeutic relationships and communicate sensitively with psychiatric patients.
• Ability to participate in a multi-disciplinary team and promote client-centred care.
• Document according to standards and use of non-violent crisis interventions.

Responsibilities

• Provide psychiatric nursing and specialized care to adults with severe mental illness.
• Assess plan and implement nursing care with an emphasis on reducing restraint and seclusion.
• Document according to standards and participate in a multidisciplinary team.
• Promote therapeutic relationships and client-centred care.
• Maintain knowledge of psychotropic medications and related safety considerations.

Skills

Psychiatric nursing

Therapeutic communication

Documentation

Crisis intervention

Team collaboration

Education

Provincially recognized educational program for RPN

Current CPR certification

Asepsis Techniques and Medication Administration certificate

Tools

MS Word

Electronic health records

Job description

Position Details

Job Number: JR02186 Department: Schizophrenia Orchard 2 This position may be scheduled at any of the following sites: West 5th Campus (Hamilton Mountain) Job Type: Temporary (Fixed Term), Full time Contract Duration: (If applicable) 6 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, Nights Shift: Hours -12 Shift Start: (If applicable) AM 07:00, PM 19:00 Reason for Posting: Application Dates Opening Date: 2026-10-15 Closing Date: 2026-10-22

Job Description Unit Profile:

The Schizophrenia & Community Integration Service inpatient units offer comprehensive assessment treatment rehabilitation and discharge planning. The individuals served have an Axis 1 diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and have diverse and complex psychiatric behavioural functional psychosocial legal and physical needs requiring specialized service. An inter-disciplinary team approach is utilized along with other best practices including the use of anti-psychotics therapeutic relationship primary nursing family and client education peer support and supported employment.

Position Summary:

The Registered Practical Nurse 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 psychiatric nursing and specialized level care to adults with severe persistent mental illness. 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 required
• Acceptable certificate or proven enrollment in a psychiatric nursing program for RPNs preferred
• Current Asepsis Techniques and Medication Administration certificate required
• Current CPR certification required
• Minimum 1 year previous experience in psychiatric/mental health nursing preferred
• Demonstrated current knowledge of the signs and symptoms nursing interventions/strategies and treatment modalities for schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders
• Demonstrated ability to develop effective therapeutic relationships with increased knowledge of issues related to therapeutic boundaries
• Demonstrated ability to communicate in a sensitive and non-judgmental manner with psychiatric patients
• Demonstrated ability to participate in a multi disciplinary team with effective contributions and the promotion of client centred care
• Demonstrated ability to document according to standards
• 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.
• Knowledge of current psychotropic medication including side effects
• Knowledge of the therapeutic communication and counselling with clear ability to apply knowledge to practice
• Knowledge of the Mental Health Act and other legislation relevant to practice
• Knowledge of community resources served by St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton
• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing learning professional development and continuous quality improvement
• Excellent problem-solving organizational skills and ability to set own workload priorities
• Demonstrated knowledge a basic skill level with computers MSWord internet searches data entry and patient information systems
• Good work performance and attendance record are essential
• A resume outlining experience and education 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 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.