RPN, Specialized Mental Health

Grand River Hospital; Kitchener; On-site; CAD 49,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

Waterloo Regional Health Network is hiring a Registered Practical Nurse for the Specialized Mental Health unit at WRHN Midtown/WCH Campus. The role focuses on providing patient-centered psychiatric care within a collaborative team.

The ideal candidate holds the Ontario College of Nurses certificate, with psychiatric nursing experience and current heart saver/de-escalation credentials, and a strong understanding of mental health acts and patient education.

Qualifications

• Registered Practical Nurse with certificate of competence with College of Nurses of Ontario.
• Post diploma in Psychiatric Nursing preferred.
• 1 year of mental health nursing experience required.
• Experience in multidisciplinary setting.
• Heart Saver and de-escalation certificates (current).
• Recognized medication course.
• Knowledge of mental illness, suicidal behaviors and current mental health practices and treatment modalities.
• Excellent communication, organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Using preset standards and protocols within their RPN scope of practice, provides assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation of individuals with psychiatric/mental health disorders.
• Working knowledge of the Mental Health Act, Health Care Consent Act and Substitute Decisions Act.
• Excellent patient teaching skills.
• Application of Family Systems Nursing in the provision of direct patient family care.
• Good attendance record.

Responsibilities

• Provide psychiatric and mental health nursing care within a multidisciplinary team.
• Assess, plan, intervene and evaluate care according to established standards.
• Promote recovery, person-centered care, and therapeutic relationships with patients.

Skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Certificate of Competence – Ontario College of Nurses

Post diploma in Psychiatric Nursing

Job description

RPN, Specialized Mental Health (Job ID: 7309)

Home to seven regional programs and comprehensive health-care services, Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN, pronounced wren) is committed to meeting the current and emerging needs in Waterloo-Wellington and beyond. WRHN is redefining the health-care experience through collaboration and innovation, addressing barriers to access, advancing care delivery, and setting new standards in compassionate, empowered community-driven health care. At WRHN, every patient is at the centre of everything we do as we strive to improve lives, inspire healing, and build healthier, stronger communities. By listening to patients and partners, we strive to connect communities to the right care, at the right place, and at the right time.

Position Vacancy: Full Time

Position: Registered Practical Nurse – Unifor Service

Posting Period: October 19 2026 - October 26 2026

Location: WRHN @ Midtown (formerly Grand River Hospital, KW Campus)

Position Summary

Offering person-centered care, guided by recovery principles, the Registered Practical Nurse promotes healing and instills hope while demonstrating the values of the Mental Health and Addictions Program. The RPN provides psychiatric and mental health nursing care working within a team with individuals experiencing psychiatric and mental health problems.

The patient population includes those with a severe and persistent mental illness (adult unit) or a major neurocognitive disorder (seniors’ unit).

Position Requirements

• Registered Practical Nurse with certificate of competence with College of Nurses of Ontario
• Post diploma in Psychiatric Nursing preferred
• 1 year of mental health nursing experience required
• Experience in working collaboratively in multidisciplinary setting
• Heart Saver and de-escalation certificates (current)
• Recognized medication course
• Knowledge of mental illness, suicidal behaviors and current mental health practices and treatment modalities
• Excellent communication, organizational and interpersonal skills
• Using preset standards and protocols within their RPN scope of practice, provides assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation of individuals with psychiatric/mental health disorders
• Working knowledge of the Mental Health Act, Health Care Consent Act and Substitute Decisions Act
• Excellent patient teaching skills
• Application of Family Systems Nursing in the provision of direct patient family car
• Good attendance record

WRHN is committed to fair and equitable employment and in our recruitment and selection practices. We strongly believe in inclusion and diversity within our organization, and welcome all applicants including, but not limited to racialized communities, all religions and ethnicities, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ persons, Indigenous people, and all others who may contribute to the further diversification of our Hospital community. We are committed to providing and fostering a respectful workplace for all employees, free from violence and harassment.

Accommodations are available during all stages of the recruitment process in accordance with the Human Rights Code. WRHN is committed to complying with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) to provide an inclusive, barrier free workplace. We will accommodate the accessibility needs of individuals with disabilities to support participation in all aspects of the recruitment process. Should you require this accommodation, please contact Human Resources.

International Applicants

If you are seeking employment on a temporary work or study permit we recommend reviewing work permit restrictions as it applies to healthcare organizations in Canada. Individuals holding a work or study permit seeking employment in the healthcare sector may be required to complete additional steps in the process. This may also apply to current employees seeking renewal of their work permits. It is the accountability of the applicant and/or employee to ensure they are adhering to their specific work permit restrictions.

Salary: CAD 35.70-38.15

Close Date: 10/26/2026

Location: CA:ON:Kitchener