HAMILTON URBAN CORE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE
Strong Core Healthier Lives
Job Type: Temporary Full-Time, Part-Time, Casual/ On-Call (18 Month Contract)
Position Type: On-Site
Hiring Range: $26.67 - $31.28 per hour
Position Summary
The Residential Treatment Nurse (Registered Practical Nurse) provides nursing care and assessment, health promotion, medication management, and recovery-focused support to individuals participating in Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre’s Residential Treatment and Recovery Program. Working as part of a multidisciplinary and interprofessional team, the RPN supports residents experiencing substance use challenges, mental health concerns, and complex social needs through compassionate, client-centred care that promotes dignity, safety, and equitable access to health services.
Working within a 24/7 abstinence-based Residential Treatment and Recovery Facility, the RPN delivers trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and anti-oppressive nursing care grounded in principles of health equity, social justice, and recovery-oriented practice. The role supports residents throughout their treatment and recovery journey by providing nursing care, medication administration, health education, wellness promotion, crisis intervention, clinical monitoring, and collaborative care planning.
The RPN plays a critical role in supporting the program's structured treatment curriculum and daily recovery programming, working closely with counsellors and other members of the interdisciplinary team to ensure residents receive integrated and coordinated care. The position supports residents in developing healthy routines, managing chronic health conditions, addressing physical and mental health concerns, and preparing for successful community reintegration.
Working within an anti-racism, anti-oppression, and culturally safe framework, the RPN recognizes the diverse lived experiences of individuals impacted by substance use, mental health challenges, poverty, homelessness, trauma, and systemic inequities. Through nursing care, advocacy, education, and collaboration, the RPN contributes to a safe, respectful, therapeutic, and recovery-oriented environment that promotes healing and long-term wellness.
Accountability
The Residential Treatment Nurse (RPN) reports to the Substance Use Health Manager, with overall accountability to the Executive Director.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct comprehensive nursing assessments, triage, health screening, and ongoing monitoring of residents' physical, mental, and emotional health needs in accordance with College of Nurses of Ontario standards.
- Support overdose response within the facility, including resident monitoring, emergency intervention, naloxone administration, oxygen therapy, CPR, and coordination with emergency medical services when required.
- Monitor residents for changes in health status and communicate concerns to the interdisciplinary team and medical providers at the main HART Hub site.
- Provide nursing interventions within scope of practice and coordinate access to higher levels of care when required.
- Perform skin and soft tissue assessments, provide basic wound care, infection prevention interventions, and referrals for advanced treatment as appropriate.
- Support residents with chronic disease management, medication adherence, and overall wellness planning.
- Assist with emergencies and coordinate emergency response when required.
- Administer medications safely and accurately in accordance with physician orders, organizational policies, and professional standards.
- Monitor medication effectiveness, side effects, and resident adherence.
- Maintain medication administration records and documentation.
- Support medication reconciliation processes upon admission, during treatment, and at discharge.
- Collaborate with physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare providers regarding medication management and treatment planning.
- Support residents experiencing mental health challenges, emotional distress, recovery-related difficulties, and behavioural concerns.
- Provide crisis intervention, emotional support, and de-escalation during periods of distress.
- Support implementation of the Residential Treatment and Recovery Program's structured treatment curriculum and therapeutic programming.
- Participate in daily resident check-ins, case reviews, treatment planning meetings, and interdisciplinary discussions.
- Promote resident engagement in therapeutic groups, wellness activities, life skills programming, and recovery-focused services.
- Support residents in maintaining structured daily routines that foster accountability, stability, and personal growth.
- Collaborate with counsellors and program staff to monitor resident participation and progress.
- Accompany residents to medical appointments or healthcare-related visits when clinically appropriate.
- Provide emergency first aid, CPR, and other nursing interventions within scope of practice.
- Ensure emergency equipment, medications, and clinical supplies are maintained and readily accessible.
- Participate in emergency preparedness planning and drills.
- Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation, charting, electronic medical records, and service tracking in accordance with organizational standards and professional nursing requirements.
- Participate in the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of treatment plans, health education initiatives, and clinical services within the residential program.
- Provide health teaching, disease prevention education, and counselling related to substance use, communicable diseases, medication adherence, and overall wellness.
- Develop and contribute to educational materials and knowledge-sharing resources related to substance use health, harm reduction, and wellness promotion.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary staff to support integrated resident care planning, discharge coordination, and referrals to primary care, specialist, and community-based services.
- Participate in case conferences, chart reviews, team meetings, and clinical discussions to support coordinated care.
- Support the orientation, mentorship, and supervision of nursing students, placement learners, and new staff as appropriate.
- Participate actively in quality improvement, quality assurance, and program evaluation initiatives.
- Ensure all clinical equipment and emergency supplies are maintained, monitored, and secured according to program protocols.
- Work within anti-racism, anti-oppression, trauma-informed, and culturally safe practice frameworks.
- Participate in organizational events, staff activities, and community engagement initiatives as required.
- Act as shift lead as required.
- Carry out other duties as assigned.
Performance Targets
TBD
Qualifications
- Diploma in Practical Nursing from a recognized educational institution.
- Current registration in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario as a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN).
- Minimum three (3) years of nursing experience in community health, addictions, mental health, residential care, or related healthcare settings.
- Experience supporting individuals with substance use disorders, concurrent disorders, and complex social or health needs.
- Strong knowledge of harm reduction principles, supervised consumption practices, overdose response, and substance use-related health issues.
- Experience in community-based care, outreach nursing, primary care, or public health is an asset.
- Demonstrated ability to assess, respond to, and de-escalate crisis situations.
- Knowledge of health promotion, disease prevention, and social determinants of health.
- Proficiency in electronic medical records and clinical documentation systems.
- Experience working with marginalized communities, including individuals experiencing homelessness, poverty, mental illness, and substance use.
- Strong clinical judgment, problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team.
- Commitment to anti-racism, anti-oppression, and culturally safe healthcare practices.
- Fluency in French is considered an asset.
Working Conditions
- Work is based primarily on-site at the residential treatment facility.
- Flexible scheduling is required, including days, evenings, overnights, weekends, and participation in an on-call rotation.
- Exposure to crisis situations and clients with complex health, social, behavioral, and substance use-related needs in a residential setting.
Schedule:
- Day Shift: 6:00 am to 2:00 pm
- Afternoon Shift: 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm
- Night Shift: 10:00 pm to 6:00 am
Benefits:
- 4% of Vacation and Benefits
- Company Events
- Company Pension
- On-Site Parking
- Employee Assistance Program
Hamilton Urban Core is committed to equity in employment.
While we appreciate every application only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Pay: $26.67-$31.28 per hour
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Employee assistance program
- On-site parking
Application question(s):
- Are you comfortable with the salary range offered?
- Can you commit to a flexible schedule including participation in an on-call rotation and evening or weekend hours?
- Do you have a diploma in Practical Nursing from a recognized educational institution?
- Are you currently registered and in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario as a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN)?
- Do you have a minimum of 2–3 years of experience in mental health, addictions, crisis intervention, emergency care, or community nursing?
- Can you outline your experience working with individuals presenting with acute mental health concerns, substance use disorders, and concurrent disorders?
- Can you outline your experience with crisis intervention, de-escalation techniques, suicide risk assessment, and harm reduction principles?
Work Location: In person
