Mental Health Nurse

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Provide compassionate mental health care in an unconventional setting
We are seeking caring and compassionate Mental Health Nurses to join our health care team at the Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre. Mental Health Nurses who work in corrections practice a wide range of nursing skills in an unconventional setting. They play an important part of the rehabilitation process by helping patients in custody achieve independence and self-care. This helps increase the chance of a patient leaving custody successfully re-entering the community.

If you are a conscientious Mental Health Nurse with a dedicated commitment to patient-centered mental health care and the wellbeing of others, don't miss this rewarding opportunity!

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About the job

As a Mental Health Nurse with the Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre, you will work collaboratively as a member of the inter-professional health care team and apply your specialized knowledge. You can expect the typical day to include activities such as:
• Conducting mental health assessments for the purposes of triage and on-going care
• Monitoring treatment plans and response to health care interventions
• Communicating with community care providers to obtain mental health histories and facilitate transitional care
• Coordinating care with other members of the health care team, such as primary care, psychiatry, social work and psychology
• Sharing your expertise and contributing to mental health program development
• Applying your knowledge of crisis prevention and intervention
• Practising in accordance with the College of Nurses of Ontario Practice Standards, Ministry expectations, and the security requirements of the institution

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What you bring to the team

Mandatory requirements

You are currently a Registered Nurse in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario.

The successful candidate will be required to be registered for a mental health nurse certification program upon job offer and complete certification requirements within a specified period.

The ministry will accept the following certification or proof of enrolment:

• Canadian Nurses Association – Current Psychiatric and Mental Health Certification
• Centre for Addiction and Mental Health - Concurrent Disorders Certification
• Accredited Colleges in Canada – Mental Health Certification

Specialized Mental Health Knowledge and Experience

You have knowledge of:
• mental illness, mental health nursing theory, community mental health resources, evidence-based practices and current treatment options acquired through enrolment in or completion of a post-diploma/post-degree certificate program in mental health, and supplemented by continuing education in mental health/psychiatry
• mental health evidence-based practices and current treatment options and experience completing comprehensive mental health assessments

You can interpret and apply relevant legislation such as the Mental Health Act, Regulated Health Professions Act, Health Care Consent Act, and Personal Health Information Protection Act

Clinical Assessment, Critical Reasoning and Analytical Skills

You can:
• collect, interpret and evaluate health information for mental health assessments and treatment and care plans
• evaluate responses to planned interventions, and modify interventions in collaboration with the inter-professional team
• respond to emergency situations and implement appropriate interventions

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

You can:
• present information clearly and concisely
• adapt your communication style for diverse populations
• work collaboratively with others
• encourage patient participation in their plan of care
• document care and progress through progress notes, care plans, and summaries
• support patients in achieving identified treatment goals

Hours of Work

• The hours of work are 40 hours per week. You are expected to work rotating shifts in a health care unit that provides 7 days per week service, up to 24 hours a day

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Don't meet every qualification?

If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!

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How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility

We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.

Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer  accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please  contact us.

Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace:

• diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives
• accessibility
• Anti-Racism Policy

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What we offer

Working as a mental health nurse in a correctional facility can be highly rewarding for several reasons:
• You will have the opportunity to provide essential mental health care to a marginalized and often stigmatized population, helping patients in custody manage their mental health issues and supporting their rehabilitation and chances of successfully re-entering the community
• The unconventional setting and complex cases challenge you to adapt and grow professionally, enhancing problem-solving abilities and offering a unique set of experiences and learning opportunities
• By improving the health and well-being of patients in custody, you will contribute significantly to improving their health outcomes and contribute to public health and safety

The Ontario Public Service is one of Ontario's largest employers. Employees work for various ministries, with offices in more than 70 cities across the province. We offer:

• a career that can grow across ministries and job functions
• flexible learning and developmental opportunities, including education and mentorship programs
• many employee networks offering support for and education about underrepresented groups

The permanent role comes with a comprehensive compensation and benefits package that includes:

• a defined-benefit lifetime pension plan (guaranteed, ongoing inflation-protected income after retirement)
• group health, dental, life and disability benefits
• a range of vacation and leave options
• an Employee and Family Assistance Program, which provides confidential counseling services
• Inclusive Counselling Services, which provides confidential mental health support from professionals belonging to diverse communities

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Additional information:

Note:

• About security checks:
  A criminal or other federal offence record does not automatically disqualify you from the position. We consider each situation based on the position's responsibilities.
  If a check is needed and you've lived outside of Canada in the past 5 years for 6 or more months in a row, or if you are not a Canadian resident, you'll need to provide an out-of-country police clearance certificate from the country you lived in.
  Employment screening checks are only reviewed and evaluated by the Transition and Security Office, which also maintains them and keeps them strictly confidential.
• T-CL-233980/25(2)

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How to apply:

1. You must apply online.
2. Your cover letter and resume combined should not exceed five (5) pages. For tips and tools on how to write a concise cover letter and resume, review the Writing a Cover Letter and Resume: Tips, Tools and Resources.
3. Customize your cover letter and resume to the qualifications listed on the job ad. Using concrete examples, you must show how you demonstrated the requirements for this job. We rely on the information you provide to us.
4. Read the job description to make sure you understand this job.
5. OPS employees are required to quote their WIN EMPLOYEE ID number when applying.
6. If you require a disability related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please Contact Us to provide your contact information. Recruitment services team will contact you within 48 hours.

Language requirements and assessment:
All external Ontario Public Service (OPS) job ads are posted in English and French. Check the "position(s) language" section at the top of each job ad for the language requirements. For all roles, candidates are assessed in English, the business language of the OPS. If the position is bilingual (English/French), you'll also need to pass a French-language proficiency test.

Exigences en matière de langue et évaluation:
Toutes les offres d'emploi externes de la fonction publique de l'Ontario (FPO) sont affichées en français et en anglais. Consultez la section « Langue du ou des postes » en haut de chaque offre d'emploi pour connaître les exigences linguistiques. Pour tous les postes, les candidats sont évalués en anglais, la langue d'affaires de la FPO. Si le poste est bilingue (anglais/français), vous devrez également passer un test de compétences linguistiques en français.